Reds prevail in thriller

Neptunes 17
San Ġiljan 14
(2-1, 2-2, 4-0, 4-9, 3-0, 2-2)

Never has a derby between Neptunes Vodafone and San Ġiljan Tropicana Juices produced such pulsating fare which had those present at the National Pool biting their nails, with some having their heart miss a beat or two, such was the excitement and changing of fortunes.

A veritable tussle which was extended to extra-time finally went the Reds' way after their gallant opponents appeared to have a psychological edge as they fought back from four to five goals down with half the last session to go to score no fewer than nine goals and force the two extra periods of three minutes each.

Indeed their bold resurgence in that high-scoring last quarter had their fans going wild with delight. That stint coincided with a period where Paolo Malara's team went into a prolonged and unexplained sleepwalk. But the Saints should also be given credit for believing in themselves.

However, the Reds again found some mental and physical sharpness in extra-time to undo what their opponents had stoically accomplished. It was a pity that a team had to bow out and moreso as far as the Saints were concerned. They must have thought that they could grab their chance with their neighbouring rivals caught on the wrong foot after they had led 9-4, 9-5 and then 10-6 with four minutes left.

It was 2-1 for Neptunes in the first session as the Reds took their chances while the Saints missed theirs after Matthew Zammit earning expulsions galore in his team's favour.

The balance prevailed after Neptunes had gone 4-2 ahead as San Ġiljan made it 4-3 before the second session ended. The Reds were missing some punch in the centre as the unfit Karl Galea was not utilized.

One thought that Marco Rizzo's team were dead and buried after they conceded four goals without reply in the third quarter.

But the Saints had other ideas as they started reverting the tide in that last eventful session when Neptunes also went on a black-out. The Reds had thought they had reached the verdict when they scored with 13 seconds left but their bold opponents responded to equalize four seconds from time.

It was here that the Reds finally steadied their ship. Three goals in quick succession brought relief in Neptunes' clan as they made it 15-12 in their first extended period.

It was all over by then with the teams sharing four goals in the last session to maintain a three-goal victory gap for Neptunes.

On Sunday, Neptunes will now face Sliema in the KO final.

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon 3, B. Giorgio, K. Galea, E. Cachia, R. Sciortino, S. Camilleri 5, J. Camilleri 1, A. Kunac 1, S. Gravina, L. Sottani 2, M. Stellini 2, M. Pisani 3.

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri de Barro, C. Gialanze, B. Popovych 5, M. Borg Spiteri, M. Zammit 5, P. Fava, A. Bianchi 1, M. Pace, S. Schembri, Y. Vasovich 1, J. Xerri de Caro 1, K. Lanzon 1.

Refs: I. Sciriha, D. de Meo.