Stronger Sliema take decisive step towards league crown

Sliema 11
Neptunes 7
(3-2, 1-2, 5-2, 2-1)

Sliema McDonald's again rose to the occasion and their responsibilities to pick up where they left off in their previous encounter against main rivals Neptunes Vodafone and win with four goals to spare, thus taking a decisive step towards retaining the BOV top division title yesterday.

The Blues were superior in all departments. Their rearguard blocked superbly, leaving few avenues for the ball to reach the opposing centre or for a steady shot at their goal. They also had a better goal-stroke shot ratio and, above all, they managed to pounce on numerous rudimentary mistakes by their opponents.

Neptunes looked out of sorts and could only react until early in the third session when they took the lead on 5-4.

But from then on Sliema took over as they allowed their erratic opponents little time and space in which to carve a way to goal.

Sliema went ahead through Bogdan Rath before Niki Lanzon hit the equaliser. Aljosa Kunac broke to give the Reds the lead but Sliema recovered to end the session 3-2 up thanks to goals by Jonathan Valletta and Jerome Gabaretta.

Neptunes paid dearly for a missed chance when Daniel Paolella put Sliema 4-2 ahead. But it was the Reds who recovered as they pulled back two goals, both on extra-man sets, through Karl Galea and the hard-working Kunac.

Midway through the session, Clint Debono was on two exclusions, but Sliema eventually coped well with the situation.

Steve Camilleri put Neptunes ahead on 5-4, only for the Blues to show their killer instinct and cash in on a number of ghastly passing errors by Neptunes to go ahead 8-5 following goals from Raymund Fodor (2) and Valletta.

Lanzon closed the gap for Neptunes but Mark Meli restored his team's three-goal lead with a fraction of a second left for the end of the third session.

At this point Neptunes had a mountain to climb. They were forced to risk and leave their backdoor exposed. Rath made the best of a one-on-one situation to emulate Fodor when he hit first-time on a free-throw and give Sliema a 10-6 advantage.

The Blues were completely on song as Neptunes looked a demoralised lot. John Soler made it 11-6 with a cheeky lob as the Reds supporters had long been completely muted. Steve Camilleri's goal was of little effect.

Indeed, the dice had long been cast and the champions should not fail to retain their title when they face Sirens next week.

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

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon 2, T. Agius, K. Galea 1, E. Cachia, R. Sciortino, S. Camilleri 2, J. Camilleri, A. Kunac 2, S. Gravina, L. Sottani, M. Stellini, M. Pisani.

Referees: M. Dalli, D. Raffaele.

Fully deserved

Exiles 16
Marsascala 8
(4-4, 3-0, 5-1, 4-3)

After conceding an early three-goal start, Exiles Jet Services, helped by the goal-scoring stints of Timmy Sullivan, scorer of six goals, and David Pace Lupi and Aurelien Cousin, who each netted a hat-trick, broke loose to set the seal on the BOV Division Two title with a deserved 16-8 win over Marsascala.

It was a victory which underlined the superiority Joe Caruana Dingli's team enjoyed over their nearest challengers and all other opponents this summer.

Exiles blocked well and displayed better shooting power against the southseasiders who messed up most of their possession after that encouraging start.

After the match, BOV Chief Officer Peter Perotti presented the cup to Exiles captain Timmy Sullivan.

Before both matches yesterday, a minute's silence was observed for Gennie Psaila, wife of former MOC Director of Sport Pippo Psaila.

Exiles: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi, K. Rizzo Naudi, D. Pace Lupi 3, T. Sullivan 6, A. Cachia, R. Chomakhidze 2, K. Grixti, A. Zarb Cousin, A. Cousin 3, S. Vassallo 1, K. Enriquez, M. Calleja 1.

Marsascala: I. Bugeja, P. Borg 2, J.C. Cutajar, M. Borg, G. Ghirxi, L. Grixti, J. Licari 2, J. Cremona, S. Micallef, R. Cutajar, S. Botond 2, G. Suti 2, S. Farrugia.

Referees: I. Sciriha, P. Balzan.

Playing Today

Division Two - 5.15 p.m. Ta' Xbiex vs Otters. Division One - 6.30 p.m. Sirens vs San Ġiljan.