Reds sign off formalities to join Exiles in final

Neptunes Emirates did not have to put any extraordinary fare on show to proceed to Saturday’s unedited KO final against Exiles who eliminated holders Sliema in the other semi-final.

Sirens Ritter Sport’s predicament, after their 17-5 debacle in the first leg on Monday, had already been sealed and the Reds’ 17-11 success yesterday (34-16 overall) added to the formalities.

An early advantage, which went increasing, was followed by moments of respite for the Balluta Bay team whose coach kept rotating his manjack, with all the tailenders simultaneously in the water.

Sirens could only play to honour the fixture against an infinitely superior outfit. They did so generously, befiting sporting principles.

The Reds started cracking the goals after conceding the first of the day. They pressed vigorously and fanned out effectively on the break to score six times for a first-session 6-1 lead.

It was already time for Sergei Markoch to ring in some changes through substitutions. Sirens still went for double-on-the-centre tactics, changing rapidly to central zone.

The Reds conceded two goals after taking an 8-2 but their penchant of keeping coming through from nowhere again put them six goals ahead and a massive 18 goals in front on aggregate.

Pride was at the core of Sirens’ efforts as Neptunes grew a trifle casual, messing up their fifth consecutive man-up.

Goran Krstonosic struck his first and only goal after David Cutajar, Alex Attard and Clint Mercieca had reduced the gap for Sirens.

Earlier, Matthew Pisani was the author of a beautifully-flicked goal off a service from Neptunes’ team-mate Vladimir Gojkovic.

Markoch kept giving his young players a feel of the water with Neptunes leading 12-4.

The last session went in favour of the Reds, like the first two, with Gabriel Pace (twice) and Zak Mizzi inserting their names on the scorers’ list.

Marsascala through

Unlike the first match of the day, that between Marsascala meat.com and Valletta Dhalia resulted in an interesting affair given the 11-7 advantage for the southseasiders after the first leg and the potential of the City team to force a comeback.

Valletta only just missed the target to finish 19-18 adrift over the two ties. They led 3-1 after the first quarter and still prevailed in the second part of the game to make it 5-2 before the changeover but still one goal adrift on aggregate.

A goal at each end in the sub-sequent session left the teams three goals apart but a flurry of goals in the last seconds made it 7-5 for Valletta.

The battle for ultimate supremacy raged in the final quarter with Valletta’s lead alternating between two and three goals and their chances of salvaging the tie a distinct reality.

Marsascala closed the gap to one goal through Ranier Scerri but then had Stephen Micallef out without substitution in the last minute.

However, goals from Adam Decker and Simon Cachia, the latter reaching his hat-trick together with Robert Kovacs, were not enough for Valletta to at least force extra-time.

Marsascala will now meet Ta’ Xbiex in Saturday’s final.

Summaries

Neptunes 17
Sirens 11
(6-1, 4-3, 2-4, 5-3 – agg: 34-16)

Neptunes: I. Bugeja, N. Lanzon 4, E. Aquilina, M. Stellini 2, J. Camilleri 1, Z. Mizzi 1, S. Camilleri 3, V. Gojkovic 1, G. Pace 2, S. Gravina, R. Sciortino, T. Molnar 2, M. Pisani 1.

Sirens: J. Sammut, A. Attard 1, P. Micallef, P. Borg 2, S. Kiss, R. Mock, J. Borg, D. Cutajar 2, G. Krstonosic 1, C. Zammit 2, N. Grixti, D. Zammit 2, C. Mercieca 1.

Referees: M. Angilleri, M. Piano.

Marsascala 8
Valletta 11
(1-3, 1-2, 3-2, 3-4 – agg: 19-18)

Marsascala: E. Arrigo, C. Spiteri de Barro 1, K. Navarro, Milos Koralji 4, M. Pace, S. Farrugia, J. Licari 1, J. Cremona, S. Micallef, R. Scerri 1, D. Cassar, O. Zammit, Mih. Koralji 1.

Valletta: A. Sammut, A. Decker 2, K. Hyzler, K. Bonello, G. Sammut 1, S. Cachia 3, A. Galea 1, K. Micallef, R. Kovacs 3, J.C. Farrugia, A. Arrigo, G. Ghirxi, T. Agius 1.

Referees: A. DeRaffaele, R. Spiteri.

Finals (Saturday)
5 p.m. - Ta’ Xbiex vs Marsascala.
6.15 p.m. - Neptunes vs Exiles.