Matches between Neptunes Emirates and Sliema McDonald’s are destined to go to the wire no matter what the earlier episode, which could see a team taking a big lead, may be.

The Blues, enjoying a six-goal lead at the half-way mark, looked set for victory but incredibly lost that advantage for the match to go to extra-time during which it was resolved in Neptunes’ favour in truly dramatic fashion.

This was a great match with quality and excitement regaling the good crowd as the proceedings ended late due to the unearthly time of the scheduled programme of matches.

Sliema’s perfect lift-off contrasted sharply with that of the Reds who messed up their first extra-man set and then allowing the Blues to storm to a 3-0 lead inside the opening five minutes before Neptunes pulled one back late in the first session.

By then Bogdan Rath was already on two expulsions. But eventually, and unbelievalably, survived without any further personal faults.

Jerome Gabaretta netted two lightning goals to give Sliema further impetus which reflected their initial superiority. Their covering at the back and their better shooting and success rate on man-ups helped them hold the upperhand. They opened a 10-4 lead by the half-way mark.

But Neptunes were not dead yet. Their reaction during the third quarter was as remarkable as Sliema’s sudden slump. The 7-1 scoreline in the Reds’ favour brought the teams on an even keel.

The Reds took the lead for the first time seconds into the last session but they were again caught napping by Rath and Fodor to again go in arrears.

Excitement was brewing. Stellini levelled matters but Fodor came strongly into the picture to put his team 15-14 ahead before Molnar brought the teams back on level terms.

So it was into extra-time. Neptunes’ better resilience was now evident even if Sliema fought hard to salvage the game. The Reds took a decisive 3-2 lead in the first extra session thanks to a brace from captain Niki Lanzon, an advantage which they maintained till the end. But what a match it was.

The Balluta team now starts the second phase of the championship with five bonus points to Sliema’s three.

Valletta Dhalia’s comfortable victory in the first match of the evening earned them second place in the lower division starting grid, resulting in two bonus points.

Anthony Farrugia’s team were in total control, pounding their opponents at will in the opening sessions.

The City team were soon off the mark and by the end of the first quarter they were four goals up.

The second session had Valletta increasing their advantage to 10-2, thus thriving home further their superiority.

Although Alfred Cachia had the relative satisfaction of seeing his team net four goals in the next quarter, Valletta’s 15-6 lead before the last session started was too much of a gap for the Gozitans.

Despite Otters making a fight of it, when winning the last session, it was more a matter of formality especially for the lanky Adam Decker who finished with four conversions as did the other Adam, Maklari, for Otters.

Valletta 20
Otters 14
(4-0, 6-2, 5-4, 5-8)

Valletta: A. Sammut, A. Decker 4, M. Camilleri, C. Bonello 2, G. Sammut 1, S. Cachia 1, A. Galea 2, K. Hyzler 1, R. Kovacs 3, S. Cini 2, A. Arrigo, G. Ghirxi 1, T. Agius 3.

Otters: J. Cremona, A. Maklari 4, G. Zammit, Z. Radocz 3, D. Schembri, G. Attard 2, K. Scicluna 1, S. Dimech 1, J.P. Buttigieg 1, G. Tabone, C. Martin 1, P. Martin, K. Grima Scott 1.

Referees: S. Licari, G. Del Bosco.

Neptunes 18
Sliema 17
(after extra time –1-3, 3-7, 7-1, 4-4; 3-2, 0-0)

Neptunes: I. Bugeja, N. Lanzon 4, E. Aquilina 1, M. Stellini 2, J. Camilleri 2, Z. Mizzi, S. Camilleri 1, V. Gojkovich 2, B. Buhagiar, S. Gravina 2, R. Sciortino, T. Molnar 2, G. Pace, M. Pisani 2.

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabaretta 3, N. Lubrano 1, R. Fodor 4, P. Privitera 4, J. Soler 1, D. Paolella, J. Brownrigg, C. Debono 1, M. Spiteri Staines, B. Rath 3, J. Spiteri Staines, D. Abela.

Referees: M. Dalli, M. Monnis.

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