Late surge rewards revitalised Sliema

Sirens 9
Sliema 11
(1-0, 2-3, 5-4, 1-4)

It was a must-win match for both Sirens Ritter Sport and Sliema McDonald's, especially for the champions whose morale must have been at a low ebb, though not shattered, after suffering two defeats against Neptunes and San Giljan.

But the Blues showed a lot of character and steely nerves to turn the tables over their opponents when they struck four times in the last session for what turned out to be for them a sweet victory which will go some way towards boosting their confidence for the remainder of the competition.

For Sliema, Bogdan Rath and Jonathan Valletta took the scoring honours with four and three each, while Paul Privitera hit a hat-trick for Sirens who were again without Karl Montfort after he played against Neptunes.

In a low-scoring first session Sirens hit the only goal through Tamas Marcz who pounced on a ghastly pass. The second quarter produced better movement and was more productive in terms of goals with Sirens scoring twice and Sliema replying with three goals for the teams to change ends on 3-3.

In the next quarter, the game brewed with excitement, not only for the alternating fortunes, started when Marcz missed a penalty for Sirens, but also for some excellent goals, five for the northerners and four for Sliema, with Privitera and Charlie Zammit standing out.

But Rath did likewise at the other end with a crucial brace.

It was 8-7 for Sirens with the last session to go.

There was another volte face at the start of the last quarter as Valletta and John Soler again put their team in front. It was a definite turn-around as Otto Frikk and Valletta, again, made it 10-8.

The Blues were on song now and led 11-8 with a couple of minutes left. Marcz's goal had no effect on the issue.

Although a younger outfit than Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise, Otters ASC were unable to leave their mark on the first match of the day, especially on several man-ups they had. The Gozitans could only leave the water well-beaten by John Tabone's team.

With goalkeeper Alex Tanti given a prolonged feel of the proceedings to add to the possee of veterans utilised, Ta' Xbiex soon made their intentions felt and took a 9-3 lead in the second session before Otters cut the deficit to 9-5 at the half-way stage.

There was no change in the playing pattern as Edward Aquilina and Yuri Szeles led the winners' scorers' list with four goals each (as did Karol Baco for Otters), for a 13-8 victory.

Sirens 9
Sliema 11
(1-0, 2-3, 5-4, 1-4)

Sirens: J. Sammut, A. Baranyi 1, A. Galea, P. Privitera 3, R. Scerri, R. Mock, J. Borg, D. Cutajar, A. Attard, C. Zammit 2, C. Mercieca 1, T. Marcz 2, J. Cremona.

Sliema: J. Cachia, J. Gabaretta 2, N. Lubrano, B. Rath 4, M. Meli, J. Soler 1, D. Paolella, J. Brownrigg, C. Debono, J. Valletta 3, M. Rizzo, O. Frikk 1, R. Coleiro.

Referees: A. DeRaffaele, M. Monnis.

Otters 8
Ta' Xbiex 13
(2-5, 3-4, 1-2, 2-2)

Otters: R. Grech, D. Saliba, G. Zammit, S. Grech 1, S. Scerri, P. Szabo 1, K. Scicluna, K. Baco 4, D. Caruana 1, L. Cachia, A. Arrigo, M. Tabone 1, E. Farrugia.

Ta' Xbiex: A. Tanti, S. Cachia, M. Manara 1, K. Falzon, G. Lubrano, B. Szalma 2, P. Paolella, K. Engerer, J. Tabone, E. Aquilina 4, G. Gera, D. Pisani 2, Y. Szeles 4.

Referees: I. Sciriha, R. Spiteri.

Next fixture

Tuesday: 6.15 p.m. Neptunes vs San Giljan.