Dominant Sirens back to winning ways

Sirens 14
San Ġiljan 6
(3-1, 4-1, 3-1, 4-3)

Sirens Centro Casalinga found little difficulty in disposing of San Ġiljan Tropicana Juices in yesterday's top match at the National Pool.

This was Sirens' first win after two successive defeats against Neptunes Vodafone and Sliema McDonald's to keep their flickering hopes of challenging for the Division One title.

As the scoreline amply suggests, Sirens were on a different level to their opponents and practically made sure of the match by the end of the second session when they had already built a commanding 7-2 lead.

With goalkeeper Francesco Caprani in top form, Sirens were solid at the back as the Italian keeper thwarted San Ġiljan's shooters with a string of excellent saves.

At the other end, the Saints struggled to contain the fast play of the St Paul's Bay outfit who did all the damage with their fast breaks and precise shooting. Paul Privitera was a hard working figure for the winners while Jurgen Borg caught the eye when he netted no less than four goals.

San Ġiljan started well in the opening session with Caprani effecting some excellent blocks to keep his goal intact. However, it was Sirens who struck first when Anthony Galea hit the ball home after a swift break.

Vladimir Kretkovic restored equilibrium for San Ġiljan from a man-up situation but Sirens were soon back in front with Borg and Clint Mercieca putting the St Paul's Bay side 3-1 ahead.

Sirens stepped up a gear in the second session as they completely outplayed their opponents scoring four times times without reply with San Ġiljan missing a penalty through John Xerri de Caro.

Goals from Arbad Babay, Borg, Privitera and Zimonjic extended Sirens lead to 7-1 before Andrea Bianchi wrapped up the session with a second goal for San Ġiljan.

When ends were changed, the match maintained the same rhythm with Borg putting Sirens 8-2 up before Kretkovic pulled a goal back for the Saints.

However, the St Paul Bay's side outfit soon added two further goals through Andrei Zimonjic and the promising Ryan Mock.

With the match practically sewn up Baldinotti effected several changes to his team, including Caprani who made way for his understudy Alan Grech.

But despite these substitutions Sirens maintained the upperhand in the final session to wrap up a merited win.

Sirens F. Caprani, R. Mock 1, T. Galea 1, P. Privitera 2, A. Babay 1, A. Zimonjic 2, J. Borg 4, D. Cutajar 1, A. Attard, R. Scerri, C. Mercieca 2, P. Borg, A. Grech.

San Ġiljan D. Camilleri, R. Gospodinov 1, E. Arrigo, A. Bianchi 1, M. Pace, S. Gravina, V. Kretkovic 2, C. Spiteri de Barro 2, A. Borda, P. Fava, J. Xerri de Caro, K. Lanzon.

Referees A. Pascucci, M. Caruana.

Marsaxlokk 5
Exiles 8
(2-3, 0-3, 0-1, 3-1)

Exiles Elle et Vire made a giant step towards winning the second division title after beating nearest rivals Marsaxlokk in yesterday's opening match to open a four-point lead at the top.

Marsaxlokk's hopes of taking maximum spoils from the match were handed a tough blow just before the end of the first session when they lost Dimitry Vankevic who was dismissed after commiting a vicious foul.

By that time Exiles were holding to a slim 3-2 lead but Marsaxlokk could not react to the loss of their key player and that paved the way for a comfortable win for the Sliema side who went on to win the second session 3-0 and continued to extend their lead to 7-2 by the end of the third session.

Marsaxlokk managed to get back into the game in the last session when they outplayed the leaders but that was too little too late to save the match.

Marsaxlokk R. Bonnici, S. Cachia, G. Attard, A. Farrugia, K. Farrugia 1, C. Bugeja, D. Schembri, D. Vankevic, S. Frolov 2, K. Grima Scott, G. Ghirxi, M. Zammit 2, K. Sciortino.

Exiles A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, K. Rizzo Naudi, D. Pace Lupi, T. Sullivan 1, D. Blari, M. Rizzo 3, K. Grixti, A. Zarb Cousin, A. Cousin 2, S. Vassallo, A. Cachia, M. Calleja 1.

Referees P. Balzan, M. Angilleri.

Today: U-19 4 p.m. Otters vs Sirens. Division Two 5.15 p.m. Marsascala vs Otters. Division One 6.30 p.m. Neptunes vs Sliema.