Neptunes, San Ġiljan dismiss small fry

Neptunes 15
Ta' Xbiex 4
(5-0, 5-2, 2-1, 3-1)

Yesterday's matches from the Preliminary Round of the BOV National League again went the way of the big teams at the expense of the minnows, with Neptunes Vodafone thrashing Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise and San Ġiljan Tropicana Juices pulling away in the first and last sessions to dismiss Marsascala Ocean and Sky.

Neptunes were never troubled by Ta' Xbiex in the opening match which had the Reds overpowering their opponents in the initial two sessions to build a reassuring 10-2 lead, an advantage courtesy of their stronger swimming and more potent shooting.

Ta' Xbiex were never allowed space to steady themselves for a pot at goal where Ryan Sciortino, for Neptunes, deputised for the injured Nicky Gouder.

It was not before the latter part of the second session that Ta' Xbiex broke their duck when Dorian Pisani scored twice. But by then, Neptunes were in cruising mode and opted for a relaxing stint.

There was no semblance of a contest as the Balluta Bay outfit went for constant substitutions to begin the final session 12-3 ahead.

By then, Adam Decker had been fouled out but that was an irrelevance for Neptunes as they held a firm grip on the proceedings.

Ryan Sciortino looked safe behind a tight defensive wall which broke freely to score almost at will. For the record, Steve Camilleri again finished as Neptunes' top marksman with five goals.

Neptunes
N. Gouder, A. Decker 2, J. Camilleri, K. Galea 2, E. Cachia, I. Milakovic 3, S. Camilleri 5, D. Caruana, D. Camilleri, S. Gravina 1, J. Paris, M. Stellini, M. Pisani 2, K. Micallef, R. Sciortino.

Ta' Xbiex
A. Bianchi, J.J. Tabone, M. Manara, K. Sciortino, K. Engerer, W. Privitera, P. Paolella, R. Polacik 1, T. Debono, C. Zammit, J. Surim 1, A. Tanti, D. Pisani 2.

Referees I. Sciriha, R. Spiteri.

San Ġiljan 15
Marsascala 9
(6-0, 3-2, 0-5, 6-2)

In the second encounter, the indications were that San Ġiljan would overrun their opponents after piling up six goals in the opening quarter.

Marsascala, without their influential player Fabio Valenti, injured, looked to be on a rope but somehow they salvaged their pride when in the third session, they scored five times without reply to trim the deficit from 9-2 to 9-7.

The Saints, who had slipped into casual mode, realised they would get into trouble and in the last session restored some of their lost pride to put the issue beyond doubt when they finally regained their scoring touch, thus making it a more emphatic scoreline for them.

Again, their top goal-getter was Matthew Zammit with a poker.

San Ġiljan
D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri Debarro, R. Gospodinov 1, M. Pace 1, A. Bianchi 3, M. Zammit 4, E. Arrigo. V. Kreckovic 3, A. Borda, P. Fava 1, J. Xerri de Caro 2, K. Lanzon.

Marsascala
I. Bugeja, C. Gialanze 1, M. Borg, A. Tringali 3, M. Borg Spiteri 2, L.K. Grixti, J. Licari 1, J. Cremona 1, S. Micallef 1, R. Cutajar, D. Cassar, M. Spiteri, J.C. Cutajar, J.C. Decelis, S. Farrugia.

Referees M. Dalli, P. Balzan.

Next fixtures

Friday: 6.15 p.m. Marsaxlokk Freeport vs Marsascala Ocean & Sky; 7.30 p.m. Sliema McDonald's vs Neptunes Vodafone.

Saturday: 4 p.m. Otters vs Marsascala; 5.15 p.m. Exiles Elle-et-Vire vs Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise; 6.30 p.m. Sirens Centro Casalinga vs San Ġiljan Tropicana Juices.