Neptunes Emirates were at their vintage best yesterday when cheekily and emphatically they swept past Sliema Frank Salt Real Estates who were humiliated by the tune of 15 goals to five, their biggest defeat against their rivals.

No doubt, Neptunes were helped by six-goal scoring ace Steve Camilleri, even if their collective teamwork played a big part in their success.

The Blues drew first blood through a penalty netted by their Gergely Kiss, who eventually scored three goals. The Reds turned the tables to lead 3-1 after the first session.

Neptunes dominated their opponents in the second session, scoring five goals to one conceded.

Zone cover forced both teams to shoot from a distance but Neptunes were the better team in this respect, especially through Camilleri and Tamas Molnar, with the excellent Alexandar Ciric scorer of three goals, also directing operations.

On 8-2, Jerome Gabaretta made amends for a great chance he lost in the third session. The returning Stellini finished off a break to make it 9-3.

That quarter proved to be eventful as Edward Aquilina was dismissed for four minutes for serious foul play followed by Sean Gravina who was sent off with substitution.

Neptunes had built an 11-3 advantage but ironically failed to capitalise on their constant extra-man sets. Sliema, on their part, scored twice to make it 11-5 before the last quarter started.

The Blues had also been guilty of innumerable wasted man-up sets. They knew they were fighting a lost battle against opponents who thrived on scoring goals when the teams were on numerical parity.

In fact, the champions, led expertly by coach Sergey Markoch, netted their four goals in the last quarter when the teams had an equal number of units in the water.

Sliema just did not live in the same street.

After going down to Ta’ Xbiex in their opener, Marsascala Mor€ came good against Valletta who had defeated them in the Sportswriters’ Cup earlier this month.

The southerners won a very close contest 9-8 to put their season back on track in their bid to retain the Division One title.

Marsascala led 4-2 after the opening session, but the City team fought back to lead 5-4.

Meanwhile the goals were coming from Joseph Kayes for the winners, Milos Kolorija and Simon Cachia who each scored a hat-trick.

Into the last session, the southerners were leading 7-6. The last quarter was very close but two goals apiece helped Marsascala to keep their noses in front.

Summaries

Valletta 8
Marsascala 9

(2-4, 3-1, 1-2, 2-2)

Valletta: R. Sciortino, S. Meli, R. Calleja, M. Korolija 3, M. Cordina, S. Cachia 3, R. Mock 1, C. Zammit, C. Debono, R. Scerri 1, N. Bonello Ghio, D. Filipovic, Z. Sciberras.

Marsascala: K. Schembri, K. Rizzo Naudi, M. Pace 2, B. Muscat, J. Kayes 3, L. Grixti, J. Licari 1, J. Cremona 1, J. Ross 2, A. Sammut, D. Cassar, C. Mifsud, L. Caruana.

Refs: P. Giordano, R. Spiteri.

Neptunes 15
Sliema 5

(3-1, 5-1, 3-3, 4-0)

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, A. Sammut, M. Stellini 1, T. Agius, A. Ciric 3, S. Camilleri 6, J. Camilleri, G. Pace, S. Gravina, B. Lanzon, T. Molnar 3, C. Mercieca.

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabaretta 1, N. Lubrano, T. Sullivan, M. Meli, J. Soler, G. Kiss 3, E.Aquilina, J. Brownrigg, T. Barac 1, M. Spiteri Staines, D. Paolella, C. Cluett.

Refs: M. Angileri, P. Bensaia.

Premier League

Division One