This year’s alternating results in the Sliema McDonald’s vs Neptunes Emirates was maintained, this time with the Blues adding the scalp of the Balluta team to leapfrog the Reds and join San Ġiljan Giuseppe’s, who played a game more, at the top of the table.

This result relegated Neptunes to an unfamiliar third spot in the standings.

Neptunes were in better frame until midway through the third session. But Sliema’s fighting qualities emerged in the latter part of the game as they gradually annulled a three-goal deficit to finally take a definitive lead with over three minutes left.

Sliema’s team effort was spearheaded by four-goal Ferenc Salomon.

Neptunes were again erratic in their conclusions on open play despite a better five on 10 reading on man-ups than Sliema’s three from as many occasions.

The Balluta team took a 4-2 advantage in the first session during which they were the smarter side.

The Reds also looked sharper in the second session, with Sliema failing to take advantage of three consecutive sets on extra man.

However, Neptunes did not relish their opponents’ press, a ploy which also rendered the Reds wasteful.

Gradually the Blues made inroads, netting five goals to their opponents’ three in the third session, a scoreline which helped cut the gap to one goal on 9-8 before the start of the last quarter.

The match remained hanging on knife edge after Jerome Gabaretta had made it 9-9.

Salomon scored his fourth goal to put his team in the lead for the first time with over three minutes left.

Meanwhile, both teams kept missing man-up opportunities and ideal scoring chances.

In the end, Salomon’s last salvo proved to be the winner.

In first match, Valletta Sterling and Otters Nivea produced another close tussle, with the Gozitans avenging their first-round 16-14 defeat, this time by the odd goal in 25 and go third on six points.

A three-goal Otters’ lead was neutralised by the end of the first session before the City edged ahead 4-3. But the Gozitans had Zoltan Radocx in early scoring form and took a 7-5 advantage before ends were shifted.

David Zoltan was in equally good striking mode for Valletta as his goals helped the team draw level on 9-9 before the last session started.

Tit-for-tat stuff prevailed in the last session until Otters pulled clear on two goals with over two minutes to left befoe Zoltan’s futile seventh goal reduced the deficit.

Neptunes 9
Sliema 10
(4-2, 2-1, 3-5, 0-2)

Neptunes: I. Bugeja, N. Lanzon, E. Aquilina, M. Stellini 4, G. Pace, A. Ciric 2, S. Camilleri 2, J. Camilleri, B. Lanzon, S. Gravina, R. Sciortino, T. Molnar 1, C. Mercieca.

Sliema: I. Gergely, J. Gabaretta 2, N. Lubrano, P. Privitera, M. Meli, J. Soler, D. Paolella, J. Brownrigg 2, C. Debono 2, F. Salomon 4, M. Rizzo, M. Spiteri Staines, C. Cluett.

Refs: M. Dalli, P. Bensaia.

Valletta 12
Otters 13
(3-3, 2-4, 4-2, 3-4)

Valletta: A. Sammut, S. Meli, R. Calleja, A. Galea 1, T. Agius, S. Cachia 1, Alan Galea, M. Korolija 2, M. Cordina 1, D. Zoltan 7, A. Arrigo, E. Arrigo, J.C. Farrugia.

Otters: A. Cachia, G. Attard 2, G. Zammit, Z. Radocx 5, S. Dimech, M. Balatoni 1, J. Paris 2, D. Schembri, E. Farrugia, K. Debattista 1, K. Martin, C. Scicluna, K. Grima Scott 2.

Refs: A. De Raffaele, S. Licari.

Next fixtures
Tomorrow: Division One 6 p.m. Marsascala vs Valletta. Premier Division 7.15 p.m. Exiles vs Neptunes.
Saturday: Division One 6 p.m. Ta’ Xbiex Amigos vs Otters Nivea. Premier Division 7.15 p.m. Sirens Ritter Sport vs Sliema McDonald’s.

Standings

Premier Division


P W D L F A Pts
San Giljan 4 2 1 1 50 47 9
Sliema 3 2 0 1 40 37 9
Neptunes 3 1 0 2 38 32 8
Sirens 3 1 1 1 34 39 5
Exiles 3 0 2 1 31 38 2

Division One


P W D L F A Pts
Marsascala 4 4 0 0 54 31 17
Valletta 4 2 0 2 55 53 8
Otters 4 1 0 3 46 65 6
Ta’ Xbiex 4 1 0 3 41 67 4

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