Sliema 13
San Ġiljan 7

(1-0, 3-3, 4-0, 5-4)

The superior power of Sliema McDonald's turned out to be too much at the end of the day when they faced San Ġiljan Firetech yesterday evening. So was their higher scoring rate on extra-man sets.

Besides this, the Saints' foreigners were anonymous when it mattered most.

However, the turning point came in the third session as Marco Risso's team conceded four goals without reply and thus allowed their opponents a breather when taking an 8-3 advantage which they administered comfortably until the end.

By then, the champions were afforded the luxury of putting more of their available units in the water.

An arid first session ended with Sliema ahead 1-0. But San Ġiljan shared six goals in the second session even though they were mostly inconclusive with their shooting going off-target.

Similarly, Sliema's efforts were not reaping the results desired as tight marking stifled movement on open play.

That all changed in the third session when Sliema netted four goals in succession, leaving their opponents stranded on 8-3.

In the meantime, with three alternating options in the centre, Jerome Gabaretta, Paul Privitera and John Brownrigg, the Blues appeared to have a clear edge.

By the end of that third quarter the dice were cast and the last session which the Blues won 5-4 was only a formality.

The usual Bogdan Rath ended as Sliema's top scorer with four goals.

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabaretta, N. Lubrano, P. Privitera 2, M. Meli 3, J. Soler 1, D. Paoella, J. Brownrigg 1, C. Debono, A. Kunac 2, M. Rizzo, B. Rath 4, A. Bianchi.

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri de Barro, M. Pace 1, K. Galea, C. Gialanze, K. Dowling, H. Nossek 3, A. Bianchi 1, E. Aquilina 1, R. Scerri, P. Fava, M. Toth 1, K. Schembri.

Referees: M. Angilleri, D. Rotondano.

Next fixtures

Friday - 18.00 Marsaxlokk vs Otters; 19.15 Sliema vs Exiles.

Saturday - 17.00 Marsascala vs Ta' Xbiex; 18.15 Neptunes vs Sirens.

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