Cantering wins for big guns

Yesterday’s three-match schedule had six teams making their bow in this year’s Winter League.

In the opening clash, San Ġiljan Giuseppe’s faced Valletta Dhalia with the result going the way of the Saints by 11 goals to five.

San Ġiljan, with newcomers Matthew Pisani, Ryan Mock and Ben Plumpton in their squad, assumed control from the start as Valletta were unable to put their game together.

The Citizens, also having new recruits in the shape of Anthony Galea, Ramon Calleja, Zach Cordina and Kurt Falzon, fell further behind as the game progressed despite some resistance offered in the last session by the team guided by veteran Anthony Farrugia.

Top scorer for Karl Izzo’s side was teenager Anthony Bugeja with three goals.

The second match in programme had Winter League holders Sliema McDonald’s playing 3CX Exiles with the Blues emerging clear winners on a 12-5 scoreline.

Sliema had Jerome Gabaretta, Clint Debono and John Brownrigg unavailable, with faces from their junior squad making their debut.

On the other hand, Exiles had James Spiteri Staines, Peter and Diego Borg and Simon Vassallo as their new signings from other teams while veteran John Paris and Martin Calleja were missing.

The experience of John Soler, Mark Meli (scorers of four goals each) and Paul Privitera was a big plus for Sliema who also managed to block well when not in possession against otherwise erratic opponents.

Except once, when Exiles closed the gap on 6-4 early in the third session, Sliema’s lead was always comfortable.

The outcome was a limpid and well-deserved victory for the Blues guided on the bench by Sergio Afric.

In the final match, Neptunes were complete masters, scoring an emphatic 20-3 victory over Marsascala with Michele Stellini and Jordan Camilleri ending as their team’s top scorer with four goals each.

Rainer Scerri netted Marsascala’s three goals.

San Ġiljan 11
Valletta 5
(2-0, 3-1, 3-0, 3-4)

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, J.C. Cutajar, A. Galea, Karl Galea 2, Keith Galea 1, K. Dowling, A. Bugeja 3, A. Bianchi 2, R. Mock, C. Gialanze 2, P. Fava, B. Plumpton, M. Pisani 1.

Valletta: A. Sammut, K. Hyzler, A. Galea, M. Asciak 1, K. Mock, A. Galea 1, K. Falzon 2, J.C. Farrugia, R. Calleja, A. Arrigo 1, Z. Cordina.

Refs: I. Sciriha, S. Licari.

Sliema 12
Exiles 5
(2-1, 4-2, 3-1, 3-1)

Sliema: R. Coleiro, N. Bugelli 1, N. Lubrano 1, P. Privitera, M. Meli 4, J. Soler 4, A. Mifsud, M. Mifsud, M. Rizzo 2, M. Fenech, E. Meli, N. Portelli.

Exiles: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi, K. Rizzo Naudi, D. Pace Lupi, T. Sullivan 1, P. Paris, J. Spiteri Staines 2, K. Grixti, D. Borg 1, P. Borg, S. Vassallo 1, M. Paris, K. Lanzon.

Refs: P. Balzan, M. Angileri.

Neptunes 20
Marsascala 3
(7-2, 3-0, 4-1, 6-0)

Neptunes: R. Sciortino, N. Lanzon 2, E. Aquilina 3, M. Stellini 4, Z. Mizzi 2, G. Pace 1, J. Camilleri 4, L. Ellul, S. Xerri de Caro 1, S. Gravina, T. Agius 1, K. Debattista, C. Mercieca 2.

Marsascala: K. Schembri, M. Pace, I. Borg, L. Grixti, K. Navarro, S. Micallef, R. Scerri 3, D. Cassar, M. Fenech, C. Caruana.

Refs: M. Dalli, A. DeRaffaele.