Blues secure top-four berth

Sliema McDonald’s ended their commitments before the play-offs with a hard-earned 11-10 victory over San Ġiljan Giuseppe’s yesterday to make certain of a top-four placing and a chance of having a say in the destination of the winter title.

Not so for their opponents who still have to confront Sirens Ritter Sport to secure progress to the Championship Pool.

As things stand, the first four placings may be determined on the basis of direct encounters.

In yesterday’s match, Sliema made a steady start for a 5-1 lead in the opening quarter.

The Saints cut the leeway slightly for a 6-3 scoreline half-way through and then to 7-6 before Sliema made it 8-6 late in the third session.

The Blues seemed to ease their worries as Paul Privitera scored his second goal for 9-6 lead only for Jean Claude Cutajar to again open up some hopes for the Saints.

Sliema netted their 10th goal through Nikolai Lubrano to again bring serenity to their camp des-pite San Ġiljan’s bold efforts to save the game.

It was too late for their brave effort, especially those of nap-hand scorer Andrea Bianchi.

Sliema’s early cushion, courtesy of Mark Meli’s hat-trick, proved to be decisive.

Meanwhile, the first match was as good as a walk-over for 3CX Exiles against Valletta Dhalia, with the result reflecting the ascendancy Aurelien Cousin’s team enjoyed.

Exiles were off to a flying start which eventually had their coach going for constant rotation of the available units in his squad.

Despite these changes the scoring rate in the first two quarter showed no signs of abating as Exiles built a 10-goal lead.

After that Valletta steadied their ship while Exiles slackened considerably.

Exiles will now meet Marsascala in their last round robin match, hoping they’ll beat the southerners to consolidate their fourth position ahead of the semi-final play-offs.

Summaries

Valletta 2
Exiles 14
(0-5, 0-5, 1-2, 1-2)

Valletta: A. Sammut, S. Meli, K. Hyzler, A. Galea, K. Mock, S. Cachia 1, A. Galea 1, K. Falzon, K. Scicluna, R. Calleja, A. Arrigo, M. Asciak, D. Spiteri.

Exiles: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, K. Rizzo Naudi 1, D. Pace Lupi 2, T. Sullivan 1, P. Paris, J. Spiteri Staines 2, K. Grixti 2, D. Borg 1, P. Borg 3, S. Vassallo, M. Paris 1, J. Diedo.

Referees: P. Giordano and R. Spiteri.

San Ġiljan 10
Sliema 11
(1-5, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3)

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, J.C. Cutajar 1, A. Galea, Karl Galea 2, Keith Galea, K. Dowling, A. Bugeja, A. Bianchi 5, R. Mock, C. Gialanze, P. Fava 1, C. Martin, M. Pisani 1, J. Cremona, E. Arrigo.

Sliema: R. Coleiro, N. Bugelli, N. Lubrano 2, P. Privitera 2, M. Meli 3, J. Soler 2, D. Paollella, J. Brownrigg, C. Debono 1, M. Cordina, M. Rizzo 1, M. Spiteri Staines, Z. Sciberras, M. Agius, N. Portelli.

Referees: M. Dalli and A. DeRaffaele.

Standings

Next fixtures
Saturday: 4 p.m. Sirens vs San Ġiljan; 5.15 p.m. Exiles vs Marsascala; 6.30 p.m. Neptunes vs Valletta.