Neptunes topple Sirens to reach final

Neptunes 10
Sirens 8
(2-2, 3-1, 2-2, 3-3)

Neptunes Vodafone held their nerves to finally topple Sirens Centro Casalinga for a place in Sunday's knock-out final where they will face Sliema McDonald's in what should be a classic to end the season.

The Reds had to fight hard to secure victory over a Sirens outfit that recovered in style to overturn 5-2 and 7-4 deficits and edge 8-7 ahead midway through the final session.

But the Reds, for whom Matthew Pisani was the catalyst and captain Niki Lanzon a hard-worker, regained their poise to score the goals that mattered at the death.

Sirens were handicapped by the absence of Arfad Babay, away from the islands for family reasons, and Karl Montfort who is also abroad on working duties.

The Balluta team had Ivan Zanetic missing, having left the islands prematurely, with the not-fully-recovered Steve Camilleri making up the numbers on the bench without being utilised.

Neptunes were caught napping and were punished on two early breaks which Predrag Zimonjic and Paul Privitera converted after pin-pointed passes from goalkeeper Francesco Caprani. The Reds levelled matters through Matthew Pisani and Edward Cachia, both on man-up sets.

A Lanzon goal gave Neptunes the lead two minutes into the second session. Sirens, who lost three consecutive man-ups, were looking jittery while Neptunes had a perfect record on their first three similar sets. This gave them a 4-2 lead with the last goal coming from Karl Galea.

A goal at each end by Pisani and David Cutajar had the teams changing sides on 5-3 in the Reds' favour.

Zimonjic converted Sirens' man-up at the fourth time of asking to make it 5-4 but Lanzon scored from a penalty. Still Neptunes were looking sharper and Michele Stellini maintained his team's clean record on man-ups before Clint Mercieca converted when the Reds were a man short.

With Privitera and Cutajar hanging on two personal faults, Sirens had to be cautious but at least they maintained the deficit at a reasonable level before the fourth session started.

Now it was Neptunes' turn to look out of sorts while Sirens grinded their teeth to recover lost ground through three goals from Privitera, Mercieca and Zimonjic for an 8-7 lead.

The duel grew tense, with both teams going for rigid press. Neptunes regained some sort of composure to edge ahead again courtesy of two lobs from Pisani.

Milan Aleksic converted a penalty with 18 seconds remaining and that was that for the unlucky Sirens.

Neptunes
N. Gouder, A. Dekker, M. Aleksic 1, K. Galea 1, E. Cachia 1, M. Zammit, S. Camilleri, J. Paris, D. Camilleri, N. Lanzon 2, R. Sciortino, M. Stellini 1, M. Pisani 4.

Sirens
F. Caprani, R. Mock, A. Galea, P. Privitera 2, P. Micallef, P. Zimonjic 3, J. Borg, D. Cutajar 1, A. Attard, R. Scerri, C. Mercieca 2, P. Borg, A. Grech.

Referees: M. De Chiara, M. Angilleri.

Ta' Xbiex 13
Marsaxlokk 7
(3-2, 4-3, 2-0, 4-2)

Second division knock-out holders Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise beat Marsaxlokk Freeport and proceeded to the final of the competition where they will meet Exiles Elle et Vire in a repeat of last year's contest.

The team guided by Aldo Scerri had a three-goal flying start neutralised before the southerners twice edged in front on 4-3 and 5-4 in the second quarter.

But Ta' Xbiex, playing well as a unit and displaying better shooting ability, took over late in the second session to open a 7-5 lead.

Roman Polacik, Marco Manara - a hat-trick each - Dorian Pisani and Charlie Zammit, two goals each, kept playing the scoring tune followed by Peter Paolella and Kurt Engerer to lead their side to a comfortable victory.

Ta' Xbiex
A. Bianchi, J. Tabone, M. Manara 3, G. Desira Buttigieg, K. Engerer 1, W. Privitera, P. Paolella 1, R. Polacik 3, T. Debono, C. Zammit 2, J. Surim 1, A. Tanti, D. Pisani 2.

Marsaxlokk
R. Bonnici, S. Cachia, G. Attard, A. Farrugia 1, E. Bonello 1, C. Bugeja, D. Schembri, D. Vankevich 3, S. Frolov 1, K. Grima Scott, G. Ghirxi, M. Zammit 1, K. Sciortino.

Referees: I. Sciriha, A. De Raffaele.

Sunday's programme

Division Two KO final: 5.15 p.m. Exiles vs Ta' Xbiex.

Division One KO final: 6.30 p.m. Sliema vs Neptunes.