Neptunes champions

Sliema 4
Neptunes 12
(0-3, 2-2, 0-2, 2-5)

Neptunes Vodafone retained the national title they had won last year following an immaculate display of waterpolo that included a near perfect tactical plan, total concentration and accuracy.

Sergio Afric's side required a draw to make sure of finishing at the top of the standings but yesterday they annihilated Sliema McDonald's and won the derby in style.

This was Neptunes' 18th championship win and surely they never thought that they would win it so easily against the fiercest of rivals.

Sliema, who needed a victory at all costs to force a decider, were never in the match and looked a weak outfit right from the outset.

In fact, it was Neptunes who looked the hungrier side to confirm they had all credentials to win this championship. As expected, foreigners Tamas Varga and Vladimir Vujasinovic blotted each other out of the game. So, it was left for the locals to shine.

However, while the entire Sliema side had a miserable outing, the likes of Steve Camilleri, Nicky Gouder, Matthew Pisani and David Camilleri were in tremendous form for the Reds.

For most of the match Sliema looked second-best as Neptunes closed all spaces with a tight defensive cover and kept their opponents as far away from their goal as possible. When the Blues did manage a shot, there was goalkeeper Nicky Gouder who was in splendid form.

Sliema again took to the water without influential defender Francesco Cutajar. He missed last week's match against San Giljan and was ordered by the medical staff not to touch the water as he is still not 100 per cent fit.

Steve Camilleri shot Neptunes ahead from a penalty early on and with 2.44 minutes to go, a deflected David Camilleri drive beat Josie Cachia and it was 2-0 for Neptunes.

Matthew Pisani added another goal before the first session was over and although at such an early stage, the title already looked heading to Balluta Bay again.

Just over two minutes had gone in the second session when Steve Camilleri scored following Varga's dismissal... until now it was looking too easy for Neptunes.

Then, Varga pulled one back after David Camilleri was out.

Vujasinovic was sent off and with 18 seconds to go for the end of the session, Varga scored again for Sliema. Many thought the Blues had regrouped but Sean Gravina then won a penalty and Vujasinovic did not miss to restore Neptunes' three-goal lead.

Sliema missed an early man-up in the third session and Neptunes made them pay for that as Vujasinovic made it 6-2 with a well-taken goal. To make it worse for Sliema, they then had Jonathan Valletta sent off with substitution.

Vujasinovic continued to do the damage making the score 7-2 with a fierce six-metre drive.

Early in the last session Brownrigg made it 8-2 as Sliema were now dead and buried. With the Blues losing all their concentration, Matthew Pisani added another goal for the Reds and although Mark Meli and Michael Rizzo scored twice for Sliema, by now the league title was decided and the Neptunes fans were already celebrating.

Steve Camilleri made it 10-4 with a master stroke and Soler was then sent off for good following persistent protests. Steve Camilleri continued the rout with a fine goal and Pisani added another one for good measure with 1.31 seconds to go.

At the end of the match, ASA president Robbie Ebejer and Wilkinson Sword Marketing Manager Lara Scicluna presented Neptunes with the league trophy.

Sliema: J. Cachia, C. Gialanze, N. Lubrano, M. Rizzo 1, M. Meli 1, J. Soler, T. Varga 2, J. Valletta, C. Debono, E. Aquilina, D. Paolella, A. Bianchi, R. Coleiro.

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon, J. Camilleri, M. Stellini, J. Brownrigg 1, V. Vujasinovic 3, S. Camilleri 4, L. Attard, D. Camilleri 1, S. Gravina, R. Sciortino, G. Sammut, M. Pisani 3.

Refs: L. Bianco; M. Dalli.

Big rivals stay apart in KO SFs draw

Neptunes Vodafone and Sliema McDonald's could clash again in the KO competition final this summer after pitted against different opponents in yesterday's semi-final draw.

Sliema play San Giljan Zara on Thursday and Neptunes take on Sirens on Friday. Both matches start at 6.45 p.m.

Division Two draw: (Tuesday) Ta' Xbiex vs Exiles; Marsaxlokk vs Otters (Marsascala play the winner of this match in the semi-final on Thursday).

The Division One and Two finals will be played next Sunday.

U-19 result:
Sirens vs Marsascala 20-3