Neptunes Emirates opened a four-point advantage over arch rivals Sliema McDonald’s with a 22-7 demolition of Sirens Ritter Sports at the National Pool yesterday.

With Sliema not due in the water before this afternoon, the leaders were determined to lay down a marker against Sirens and they duly did that with a five-star display that turned on the heat on their rivals.

The Balluta Bay team were again at their best with Steve Camilleri and Tamas Molnar in their usual clinical form. On the other hand, Michelle Stellini’s swimming of the flank and Vladimir Vujasinovic’s crisp transfer of the ball found no response from Sirens.

For many years, Sirens were considered among the heavyweights of Maltese waterpolo but to put up a challenge against their slick opponents was completely beyond them in yesterday’s match.

Sirens’ profligacy, especially in man-ups, proved to be their downturn. Karl Izzo’s team had also the added handicap of having their leading scorer Tamas Varga missing.

Neptunes kick started strongly to take a five-goal advantage in the opening quarter with Molnar netting three goals as the leaders survived two man-up sets for Sirens to go 7-2 ahead.

Neptunes’s 10-4 lead by the halfway mark indicated that they were in command. Sirens showed some improvements in the third ­session but the Reds continued to score at regular intervals.

A significant episode midway through this third quarter was the expulsion with substitution of Vasovic after a feud with Italian referee Raffaele Daniele.

Neptunes took full advantage and widened their lead through Molnar, Jordan Camilleri, Stellini and two goals from Matthew Pisani for an 18-5 scoreline before the last restart.

The last session of the match offered little interest as the superior Neptunes continued to extend their advantage to a clear 15 goals to wrap up a comfortable 22-7 victory.

Division Two

Marsascala Solid Base Engineering edged closer to the second division title when they beat off the challenge of Otters Nivea.

Thanks to Marsascala’s solid base in that first session and nine goals netted between Milos Koralji (6) and John Licari (3), Anthony Farrugia’s team were never in real trouble even though they saw their opponents closing the gap to 7-4 before ends were changed.

Neptunes 22
Sirens 7
(7-2, 3-2, 8-1, 4-2)

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon 1, K. Debattista, M. Stellini 3, D. Camilleri, V. Vujasinovic 2, S. Camilleri 5, J. Camilleri 1, B. Buhagiar 1, S. Gravina 1, T. Molnar 6, M. Pisani 2, I. Bugeja.

Sirens: J. Sammut, A. Attard 1, P. Borg, J. Spiteri Staines 1, R. Mock, J. Borg, D. Cutajar 1, D. Nemeth 1, C. Zammit 1, J. Vasovic 2, D. Zammit, C. Mercieca, E. Arrigo.

Referees: I. Sciriha, R. Daniele.

Marsascala 17
Otters 9
(5-1, 2-3, 5-3, 5-2)

Marsascala: R. Sciortino, J. Cutajar, B. Szabo 2, M. Koralji 6, M. Borg Spiteri 2, L. Grixti 1, J. Licari 3, J. Cremona 2, S. Micallef, T. Agius 1, D. Cassar, G. Pace, S. Farrugia.

Otters: A. Sciberras, D. Saliba, M. Galea Pace, Z. Radocz 3, D. Schembri 1, P. Szabo 2, K. Scicluna, S. Dimech, C. Saliba 1, C. Martin, A. Arrigo, O. Zammit 1, K. Grima Scott 1.

Referees: M. Angileri, R. Spiteri.

Playing today

5 p.m. Ta’ Xbiex vs Marsaxlokk; 6.15 p.m. Sliema vs Exiles.