Sliema and Neptunes secure victories
Sirens 7Sliema 11(1-0, 1-5, 3-2, 2-4) The Winter League competition, this year backed by new sponsors BOV, got off the mark yesterday afternoon with the clash between two heavyweights of the local game, Sliema McDonald's and Sirens Hard Rock Cafe,...
Sirens 7
Sliema 11
(1-0, 1-5, 3-2, 2-4)
The Winter League competition, this year backed by new sponsors BOV, got off the mark yesterday afternoon with the clash between two heavyweights of the local game, Sliema McDonald's and Sirens Hard Rock Cafe, winners of last year's title.
The Blues deservedly emerged winners as they possessed the better marksmen and were tighter in defence. Both sides paraded new faces in their ranks, the most notable being John Brownrigg (ex-Neptunes) and Tony Galea who was on San Giljan's books last year. The former marked his debut with a hat-trick which saw Sliema take a 5-2 lead midway through the proceedings.
The St Paul's Bay team conceded another goal before they rallied to close the gap to 5-6. However, even if the game was played at a slow tempo, Peter Decesare's side pulled their strings to ram home their superiority.
The second match on yesterday's programme was between neighbours Neptunes Vodafone and San Giljan, respectively six- and one-time winners of this pre-season honour.
The verdict went to the Reds of Balluta Bay who managed to stave off the challenge of the Saints who had Silvio Borg at the technical helm.
Neptunes, with veteran John Paris and Edward Cachia back in their fold, had the scoring virtuosity of Matthew Pisani to thank as this player picked his spot no fewer than seven times.
San Giljan had a short bench but had new recruits Paul Fava and Andrea Bianchi. They fought with determination and took the lead three times early on but then went adrift on three goals. However, they twice pulled back to a slender goal deficit, courtesy mainly of the scoring stints of Matthew Zammit.
Karl Izzo's team held out and then scored their 10th goal towards the end to seal the issue.
Results, line-ups
Sirens 7
Sliema 11
(1-0, 1-5, 3-2, 2-4)
Sirens: A. Grech, T. Debono, T. Galea, P. Privitera 1, E. Bonello, R. Mock 2, J. Borg 2, D, Cutajar, A. Attard, R. Scerri 1, K. Cremona, P. Micallef, C. Mercieca 1, J. Cremona, J. Sammut.
Sliema: J. Cachia, C. Gialanze 1, E. Aquilina 2, J. Gabaretta, M. Meli 1, J. Soler 2, D. Paolella, J. Brownrigg 3, C. Debono 1, J. Valletta 1, J. Spiteri Staines, N. Lubrano, R. Coleiro.
Refs: Peter Balzan, Ivan Sciriha.
Neptunes 10
San Giljan 8
(1-1, 4-3, 3-3, 2-1)
Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon 3, T. Agius, K. Galea, E. Cachia, A. Cachia, J. Camilleri, R. Attard, D. Camilleri, S. Gravina, J. Paris, M. Stellini, M. Pisani 7, K. Micallef, D. Caruana.
San Giljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri Debarro 1, M. Zammit 4, M. Pace, A. Bianchi 1, G. Ghirxi, P. Fava 1, J. Xerri De Caro 1, K. Lanzon.
Refs: Mario Dalli, Massimo Ancilleri.