Although not quite showing last year’s scintillating form, Neptunes Emirates shrugged off their recent opaque patch to sink Exiles Ferretti in a match which had the familiar scoring figure of Steve Camilleri standing out with six goals.

The Reds were always superior to their opponents and banked on a solid 4-0 opening session base which was widened in the second and third quarters before they went into cantering mode in the last part of the game.

Exiles, fresh from their draw against San Ġiljan, could not quite get going even if Hungarian Marton Toth, scorer of a naphand of goals, made their defeat less embarrassing.

This result means that Neptunes are again leaders but with Sliema McDonald’s having today’s game against Sirens Ritter Sport in hand.

Meanwhile, efficient team play, built around sound shielding on the opponents’ centre, helped Valletta Sterling lower the colours of high-flying Marsascala Mor€ thanks to a 13-11 victory in the opening Division One match.

The scoring form of six-goal Milos Korolija and the return of Robert Kovacs also contributed to the success of Anthony Farrugia’s team.

Marsascala 11
Valletta 13
(3-3, 1-1, 2-5, 5-4)

MARSASCALA: K. Schembri, G. Hedegus 2, M. Pace, B. Muscat, J. Kayes 4, L. Grixti, J. Licari 4, J. Cremona, S. Micallef, R. Scerri 1, D. Cassar, M. Fenech.

VALLETTA: A. Sammut, S. Meli, R. Calleja, A. Galea, T. Agius 2, S. Cachia 2, R. Kovacs 2, M. Korolija 6, M. Cordina 1, A. Arrigo, E. Arrigo, J.C. Farrugia.

Refs: P. Giordano, P. Bensaia.

Exiles 9
Neptunes 15
(0-4, 2-3, 2-4, 5-4)

EXILES: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, K. Rizzo Naudi, D. Pace Lupi 1, T. Sullivan, S. Vassallo, J. Spiteri Staines 1, K. Grixti, S. Galea Pace, P. Borg, A. Kunac 1, M. Toth 5, K. Lanzon.

NEPTUNES: R. Sciortino, N. Lanzon 1, E. Aquilina 1, M. Stellini 3, G. Pace, A. Ciric, S. Camilleri 6, J. Camilleri 1, B. Lanzon, S. Gravina, I. Bugeja, T. Molnar 3, C. Mercieca.

Refs: M. Angilleri, P. Bensaia.