Blues open two-goal advantage

Sirens 9
Sliema 11
(3-3, 1-3, 1-1, 4-4)

Sliema McDonald’s produced a cautious display to edge Sirens Ritter Sport 11-9 in the first leg of the BOV Premier KO SF, yesterday.

Those present at the National Pool were able to follow proceedings better since a new hi-tech scoreboard was used for the first time. In fact, Jermone Gabarretta was the first player to insert his name when he netted Sliema’s first goal after 50 seconds as the Blues had a flying start only to be pegged back by Sirens.

Sliema appeared to be better equipped though and were soon off the mark in the second session, taking a three-goal lead before Csaba Kiss pulled one back for the northerners.

John Brownigg sustained a shoulder injury but Sliema shrugged aside the setback to go 7-4 up in the third session.

Ferenc Salamon converted a second penalty before Clint Debono deservedly inserted his name among the scorers.

Sliema looked to be in the driving seat as Mark Meli re-opened a four-goal gap in the last session but Alex Attard’s two late goals means Sirens are still in the hunt ahead of tomorrow’s second leg.

Sirens: A. Grech, A. Attard 3, L. Caruana, M. Grech, A. Babay 1, C. Kiss 4, J. Borg, D. Cutajar 1, A. Zarb Cousin, C. Zammit , C. Spiteri de Barro, D. Zammit, N. Grixti.

Sliema: I. Gergely, J. Gabaretta 2 , N. Lubrano, P. Privitera, M. Meli 2 , J. Soler 2, D. Paolella, J. Brownrigg 1, C. Debono 1, F. Salamon 3, M. Rizzo, M. Spiteri Staines, R. Coleiro.

Referees: P. Balzan, G. Del Bosco.

Fixtures
Today: Div. One KO SF (second leg) 6 p.m. Otters vs Ta’ Xbiex (first leg: 18-15); Premier KO SF (second leg) 7.15 p.m. San Ġiljan vs Neptunes (first leg: 7-14).
Tomorrow: Div. One KO SF (2nd leg) 6 p.m. Valletta vs Marsascala (1st leg: 11-13); Premier KO SF (2nd leg) 7.15 p.m. Sliema vs Sirens (1st leg: 11-9).