Sliema and Sirens maintain momentum

Sliema McDonald's undoubted superiority over Marsascala in the first match of the day, with four goals coming from John Brownrigg, was a foregone conclusion. That edge was translated into goals after the Southseasiders had held their own in the first two sessions.

But, with all their established players in the water, in the third quarter, the Blues pressed the accelerator to extend their 4-2 lead at the half-way mark to 10-2, as Marsascala fell apart.

The last session was a formality despite a resurgence by Anthony Farrugia's team which reduced the deficit to 11-5.

Sirens Centro Casalinga and Exiles SC featured in the second encounter, with the former team just running out winners against opponents who fought gallantly to collect the points.

The team from Sliema underlined their physical and tactical progress, so evident in their matches this year. They were four goals adrift on two occasions but each time they pulled back to finally come within a whisker of saving the game.

Sirens, for whom Charlie Zammit, Paul Privitera and Clint Mercieca, netted most of their goals, started briskly but eventually they lost their rhythm only to be relieved by the result as they held out for a hard-earned victory.

Youths shock Saints

In the concluding match, the ASA U-20 side stole a march on San Ġiljan when beating them 7-5 to record their second victory after having beaten Marsascala two weeks ago.

The youngsters, with Sergio Afric and Anthony Farrugia mentoring them from the bench, were well worth yesterday's success. They twice came from two goals down to go ahead in the latter sessions and then keep their noses in front.

The improving Peter Borg and Ryan Mock each scored a brace with Jordan Camilleri and goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole playing solidly throughout.

Marsascala 5
Sliema 11
(0-2, 2-2, 0-6, 3-1)

Marsascala: I. Bugeja, P. Borg 1, M. Borg, K. Sciortino, G. Ghirxi, L. Grixti, J. Licari 1, A. Dalli, S. Micallef 1, R. Cutajar, D. Cassar, M. Spiteri 2, S. Farrugia.

Sliema: J. Cachia, N. Spiteri Staines 1, J. Spiteri Staines, M. Rizzo, M. Meli 2, J. Soler 1, D. Paolella, J. Brownrigg 4, C. Debono 1, J. Valletta 2, N. Lubrano, M. Manara, M. Axiaq.

Referees: I. Sciriha, R. Spiteri.

Exiles 7
Sirens 8
(2-4, 2-3, 1-0, 2-1)

Exiles: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, K. Rizzo Naudi 1, K. Dowling, T. Sullivan 1, S. Cini, S. Vassallo, K. Grixti 1, A. Zarb Cousin, K. Enriquez 2, A. Arrigo, A. Cachia, M. Calleja 1.

Sirens: A. Grech, L. Caruana, A. Galea, P. Privitera 2, A. Sammut, R. Mock 1, J. Borg, D. Cutajar, O. Zammit, C. Zammit 3, C. Mercieca 2, D. Zammit, J. Sammut.

Referees: M. Dalli, A. DeRaffaele.

ASA U-20 7
San Ġiljan 5
(1-1, 1-3, 3-0, 2-1)

ASA U-20: A. Borg Cole, J. Spiteri Staines 1, T. Agius, P. Borg 2, A. Zarb Cousin, R. Mock 2, J. Camilleri 1, K. Grixti 1, N. Lubrano, S. Cini, S. Vassallo, M. Pace.

San Ġiljan: K. Schembri, C. Gialanze, C. Bugeja, M. Borg Spiteri, A. Bianchi, P. Micallef, C. Spiteri de Barro 1, A. Borda 1, P. Fava 1, D. Camilleri, K. Lanzon 2.

Referees: M. Angilleri, S. Licari.

Playing Thursday

10 a.m. Neptunes vs Sirens; 11.15 a.m. Marsascala vs San Ġiljan; 12.30 p.m. Exiles vs Malta U-20.