Sliema McDonald’s kept on the heels of Neptunes Emirates when they beat Sirens Ritter Sport in comfortable fashion to draw level on points with their sporting rivals from Balluta, with the Reds having a game in hand.

The Blues were never in danger of forfeiting any points at the expense of inferior opponents who were further handicapped by the complete absence of Tamas Varga.

As it turned out Sliema’s better-timed breakaways and infinitely superior clinical finishing had no response from the northerners.

The wind blew in the direction of the Blues in the opening minutes as they took a 3-1 lead which was extended to 5-2 before the session closed. Sliema more than shaded the second quarter winning it again 5-2 after their opponents had strived hard but unsuccessfully to bridge the widening gap.

That 10-4 advantage was further extended in the third part of the game as the champions went all out to hone their striking skills. It was 13-5 by the end of the third session with the issue having long been settled.

With some tailenders in the water for Sliema, Sirens’ misery knew no end. The Blues kept breaking and converting goals despite Karl Izzo’s team pulling back three themselves.

At the end of the day, the verdict was as clear as crystal.

San Ġiljan Firetech were back in the groove as they changed gear in the middle session to maintain their overdrive till the end before sealing a deserved victory against Exiles Jet Services in a high-scoring first match.

Exiles took their chances well as they edged 5-4 ahead in the opening session. The conversions were maintained at a brisk rate even if with the complicity of some suspect goalkeeping at each end. The Saints overturned the scoreline when winning the second session 6-4 for a 10-9 lead by the halfway stage.

Five goals in succession between that second session and the third put the Saints 13-9 in front as Exiles stumbled against their opponents’ smart reaction, having also missed their first three sets on numerical advantage.

A tenth goal for Exiles made it 13-10 but there was no respite in the conversions’ rate, with the Saints confirming ascendancy when winning the last session 5-3.

Their top scorer was Heikko Nossek with a naphand while for Exiles Cosmin Bonca replied with four goals.

San Ġiljan 18
Exiles 13
(4-5, 6-4, 3-1, 5-3)

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri De Barro 1, M. Pace, K. Galea 3, C. Gialanze 2, K. Dowling, H. Nossek 5, A. Bianchi 2, E. Aquilina, R. Scerri, P. Fava 2, M. Toth 3, K. Schembri.

Exiles: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, S. Vassallo, C. Bonca 4, T. Sullivan 2, M. Calleja, K. Rizzo Naudi, K. Grixti, A. Zarb Cousin 2, A. Cousin 2, A. Cachia, S. Cini, K. Lanzon 2.

Refs: M. Angilleri, D. Raffaele.

Sliema 17
Sirens 8
(5-2, 5-2, 3-1, 4-3)

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

Sirens: J. Sammut, A. Attard, L. Caruana, P. Borg 1, J. Spiteri Staines, R. Mock 1, J. Borg, D. Cutajar 1, C. Zammit, Y. Vasovic 3, E. Arrigo, D. Abela C. Mercieca 2.

Refs: P. Balzan, A. De Raffaele.

Next fixtures

Tomorrow: 6 p.m. Marsascala vs Marsaxlokk; 7.15 p.m. Sirens vs Exiles.

Saturday: 5 p.m. Ta’ Xbiex vs Otters; 6.15 p.m. Neptunes vs San Ġiljan.