Marsascala down Otters

Otters Nivea and Marsascala Mor€ turned in an exciting duel which produced several twists of fortunes before the team rom the south edged through to win the knock-out for the second category teams, their 17th honour in this competition.

Although Pierre Borg’s side had more fuel left in their tanks, Otters are to be commended for a very gallant performance.

The Gozitan team came back from a goal deficit to take a 2-1 lead by the end of the opening session.

Matthew Pace’s hat-trick caught them on the wrongfoot as the southerners took a 5-3 advantage before Otters reduced the deficit to 5-4 at the halfway mark.

In a high-scoring third session, during which ten goals were shared, Marsascala kept their noses in front on 10-9 after Otters had overturned a 6-4 deficit to lead by 8-6, only for the southseasiders to recover lost ground with two late goals from John Licari.

A feature of this session was a spectacular penalty save by veteran Adrian Cachia on Gabor Hegedus, using his foot when caught unbalanced.

Marsascala went 12-10 ahead after Otters had equalised only for the Gozitans to pull a goal back with 39 seconds left.

It was then too late for them despite their efforts.

At the end of the match Vanessa Macdonald, on behalf of BOV, presented the Cup to captain Joseph Cremona, of Marsascala.

Otters 11
Marsascala 12
(2-1, 2-4, 5-5, 2-2)

Otters: A. Cachia, G. Attard, G. Zammit 1, Z. Radoczs 4, S. Dimech, M. Balatoni 1, J. Paris 2, D. Schembri 1, K. Scicluna, K. Debattista, C. Martin 2, E. Farrugia, K. Grima Scott.

Marsascala: K. Schembri, C. Mifsud, M. Pace 3, B. Muscat, J. Kayes 3, L. Grixti 1, J. Licari 3, J. Cremona, S. Micallef 1, G. Hedegus 1, D. Cassar, M. Fenech, K. Navarro.

Refs: R. Spiteri, P. Balzan.