Blues take sole leadership

Sliema McDonald’s issued a statement of intent as regards their objective of wresting the national league title from Neptunes Emirates.

Yesterday, they dismissed a poor Exiles Ferretti team to again go top of the BOV Premier Division standings after upping their game considerably in the latter sessions to win as comfortably as the final 13-5 scoreline indicates.

Two early Jerome Gabarretta goals, sandwiching Exiles’ momentarily equaliser, gave the Blues a 2-1 lead. That was later extended to 3-1 by John Soler before Aljosa Kunac reduced the gap from a five-metre throw for Exiles.

Soon after the first restart, Exiles equalised through Marton Toth before squandering two man-up sets. But they more than held their own thanks to some good work at the back.

Sliema regained the lead on 4-3 through Soler, their third goal from as many extra-man sets.

It was still very close at the half-way stage even if Exiles could have been ahead but for their many missed chances when having a man extra in the water.

Two quick goals after the change of ends put Sliema in the comfort zone, moreso with Exiles being profligate even on open play.

The Blues scored two more for a clear 8-3 advantage and then went into cruise control mode in the final quarter of the match to end up easy winners as Gabarretta and Soler each went on to notch a hat-trick.

Summary

Exiles 5
Sliema 13
(2-3, 1-1, 1-5, 1-4)

Exiles: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi, K. Rizzo Naudi, D. Pace Lupi, T. Sullivan, S. Vassallo, J. Spiteri Staines 1, K. Grixti, S. Galea Pace, P. Borg 1, A. Kunac 2, M. Toth 1, K. Lanzon.

Sliema: I. Gergelj, J. Gabarretta 3, N. Lubrano, P. Privitera 2, M. Meli 1, J. Soler 3, D. Paolella, J. Brownrigg 1, C. Debono, F. Salomon 2, C. Cluett 1, M. Spiteri Staines, R. Coleiro.

Refs: M. Dalli, F. Ricciotti.

Next fixtures
Tomorrow: Premier Division 19.15 Sirens vs Neptunes.
Saturday: First Division 18.00 Otters vs Marsascala. Premier Division 19.15 San Ġiljan vs Sliema.

Premier Division

Division One