Late winner helps Saints pip Sirens

In another cut and crust contest between two balanced teams, San Ġiljan Giuseppe’s edged past Sirens Ritter Sport by the odd goal in 23 after netting a late goal.

Again this was a match of changing fortunes. At one time, midway through the second session, Sirens were four goals in front on 6-2 but San Ġiljan fought boldly to tilt the balance in their favour.

Although the Saints were first off the mark with a goal midway through the opening session, Sirens managed to overhaul when scoring three times for a 3-1 lead inside the first eight minutes.

San Ġiljan pulled a goal back after Dean Camilleri had saved a penalty on Goran Kristonovic, but again it was the northerners who responded with three goals for a 6-2 lead. Two quick conversions gave the Saints some hope before Clint Mercieca was excluded with substitution for passing remarks.

Goals at each end had the teams changing sides with Sirens 7-5 ahead.

Karl Izzo’s team staged a recovery in the third quarter to equalise on nine goals apiece before Sirens again nosed in front with five seconds left.

It was still everything to play for in the last session with Sirens also having Csaba Kiss excluded on three personal faults. It was probably too much of a handicap for them as the Saints fought back to score the winner through Filip Trajkovic with eight seconds to go.

In the first match, Marsascala meat.com.mt, starting the second phase at the top of the table with five bonus points, consolidated their advantage when collecting three more at the expense of Ta’ Xbiex ASC after their 21-10 victory with partially avenged their defeat against the same opponents in the KO final. The protagonist was Milos Koralji who struck 10 times.

A first session 7-3 lead for Marsascala provided a base for them. At mid-point the four-goal gap was maintained as Duncan Cassar reached his hat-trick.

The trend was kept up in the latter session thanks to the scoring ability of Koralji whose tally kept increasing. He was followed by Cassar with four. Also significant was young Ben Plumpton’s conversion.

San Ġiljan 12
Sirens 11
(1-3, 4-4, 4-3, 3-1)

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, J.C. Cutajar 2, N. Sutic 2, K. Galea 3, F. Trajkovic 3, K. Dowling, L. Grixti, A. Bianchi, M. Borg Spiteri 1, C. Gialanze 1, P. Fava, A. Galea, K. Schembri.

Sirens: J. Sammut, A. Attard, M. Grech, P. Borg, C. Kiss 3, R. Mock 1, J. Borg 2, D. Cutajar 1, G. Kristonovic 1, C. Zammit 1, G. Busuttil, D. Zammit 1, C. Mercieca 1.

Refs: P. Balzan, D. de Meo.

Marsascala 21
Ta’ Xbiex 10
(7-3, 2-2, 5-3, 7-2)

Marsascala : S. Farrugia, C. Spiteri de Barro, M. Pace 2, Mil. Koralji 10, D. Caruana 2, B. Plumpton 1, J. Licari 1, J. Cremona, E. Arrigo, R. Scerri, D. Cassar 4, A. Zammit, Mih. Koralji 1.

Ta’ Xbiex: L. Borg, M. Paris, S. Vassallo, C. Cluett, D. Borg, J.C. Decelis, T. Gyrovath 2, E. Bonello 1, M. Cordina 2, C. Saliba, R. Attard 3, B. Muscat, J. Szeles 2.

Refs: M. Angileri, R. Spiteri.

Playing today: Division Two 5.15 p.m. Valletta vs Otters. Division One 6.30 p.m. Sliema vs Exiles.