Exiles sink inept San Ġiljan

This match was a mere formality for San Ġiljan Giuseppe’s, with 3CX Exiles pinning their very slim hopes on a Houdini Act in order to surpass Sirens when trying to collect points in their last two matches.

Exiles managed to overcome the first hurdle yesterday in pretty unexpected fashion against the Saints who flew off their block in the style of an accomplished sprinter.

They managed to take a 5-1 and 6-1 lead in the first sessions. Then, inexplicably, they went into jogging pace and that allowed the gallant Exiles to bounce back and surprise their flagging opponents.

Karl Izzo’s team were completely on top until two minutes into the second session when they led 6-1 but then Exiles came back as the Saints collapsed as they lost the second session 5-2 and the third 4-0 with their scoring machine comp-letely stalling.

In fact Exiles managed to turn the score 9-6 in their favour with the last quarter to go.

That final part of the game, and amid some strange decisions from the referees, Exiles went 11-7 in front against their completely subdued opponents who were aware that whatever the result they would still meet Sliema in the semi-final play-offs, such is the flaw of the system.

Nevertheless, no one should detract from the merits of Exiles who managed to beat Sirens twice, Sliema and now San Ġiljan this season.

In a match valid for statistics, Marsascala meat.com were after a win to extend their unbeaten run at the top of the Division Two standings.

However, they were shocked by a workmanlike Otters Nivea in yesterday’s first match which, unfortunately, also had the southenders ending the proceedings in casual fashion.

The first session did not go against the grain as Marsascala led 4-2, only for the Gozitans to take a lead of 8-7 by the end of the second quarter.

The team guided by Pierre Borg won the next session 4-3 to level matters on 11-11 before the start of the final session.

But they looked a subdued lot and perhaps disinterested as Alfred Cachia’s outfit picked their spot admirably to win the last session of the game 5-3 for a final 16-14 victory.

This success had the generous Otters ending their commitments on a bright note, with Hungarian Mate Balatoni, topping the list of yesterday’s scorers with five goals.

San Ġiljan 9
Exiles 12
(4-0, 2-5, 0-4, 3-3)

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

Exiles: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi 2, K. Rizzo Naudi, D. Pace Lupi, T. Sullivan 2, M. Calleja 1, M. Cuk 4, K. Grixti, A. Zarb Cousin, A. Cousin 2, N. Portelli, D. Spiteri, K. Lanzon 1.

Refs: M. Angilleri, D. Di Martire.

Marsascala 14
Otters 16
(4-2, 3-6, 4-3, 3-5)

Marsascala : S. Farrugia, C. Spiteri de Barro 1, M. Pace, Mil. Koralji 4, D. Caruana, E. Arrigo, J. Licari 3, J. Cremona 1, S. Micallef 1, R. Scerri 2, D. Cassar, A. Zammit 1, Mih. Koralji 1.

Otters : J. Cremona, G. Attard 2, G. Zammit 2, Z. Radocz 3, D. Schembri 2, K. Scicluna, M. Balatoni 5, S. Dimech, S. Xerri, E. Farrugia, C. Martin, P. Martin, K. Grima Scott 2.

Refs: R. Spiteri, P. Giordano.

Playing today

Division Two 4.45 p.m. Ta’ Xbiex vs Valletta. Division One 6 p.m. Sliema vs Neptunes.