Aiming to keep on the heels of leaders Neptunes Emirates, San Ġiljan Sir Alex beat Sirens Ritter Sport 17-10 to move to within three points of the Reds, yesterday.

The Saints, guided by Sergio Afric and led in the water by Peter Biros and Marko Abramovic, scorers of ten goals between them, were a superior lot despite being made to pull definitely away on 12-7 late in the third session.

The last quarter proved to be a formality as San Ġiljan sealed the game comfortably, the last goal coming from a ferocious back-hand by Matthew Zammit.

An early 3-0 Saints’ advantage was neutralised by Sirens, who were without the injured Alex Attard, before San Ġiljan took over in the second session when winning it 5-2.

With the foreigners in the water shadowing each other, the balance kept tilting San Ġiljan’s way even if the northerners tried to stay in the game.

The third session proved to be Sirens’ undoing after they reduced the arrears to 9-7 late in that quarter.

Three quick San Ġiljan goals made it 12-7 and the session that followed was a mere formality.

In the opening match of the evening, Valletta United maintained their grip at the top of the Division One standings after beating Marsaxlokk 13-9.

After annulling an early three-goal deficit, the City team went ahead but again conceded the lead on 5-4 before winning the last sessions 3-2 and 4-2 respectively.

Clint Debono and Djorde Filipovic were Valletta’s top scorers with four goals each while Kurt Mock netted a hat-trick for the losers.

Summaries

Sirens 10
San Ġiljan 17

(3-3, 2-5, 2-4, 3-5)

Sirens: A. Grech, Z. Mizzi 1, M. Grech 1, J. Napier, A. Papay 1, C. Kiss 4, J. Borg 1, D. Cutajar 2, A. Zarb Cousin, G. Merten, S. Micallef, J. Zampa, J. Cremona.

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, J.C. Cutajar, C. Gialanze 1, K. Galea 3, K. Dowling, M. Zammit 3, M. Abramovic 4, A. Bianchi, C. Spiteri de Barro, P. Biros 6, P. Fava, D. Zammit, J. Sammut.

Refs: P. Balzan, L. Castagnola.

Valletta 13
Marsaxlokk 9

(1-3, 5-2, 3-2, 4-2)

Valletta: R. Sciortino, S. Meli 1, R. Calleja, M. Korolija 3, N. Bonello Ghio, S. Cachia 1, M. Cordina, C. Zammit, C. Debono 4, R. Scerri, A. Arrigo, D. Filipovic 4, J.C. Farrugia.

Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, M. Grima, M. Agius, E. Meli 2, K. Grech 1, K. Mock 3, A. Galea, C. Bugeja 1, R. Kovacs 1, P. Kovacs 1, T. Camilleri, J. Fenech, L. Friggieri.

Refs: A. DeRaffaele, M. Angilleri.

Next fixtures
Friday: KO SFs – 18.00 Marsascala vs Ta’ Xbiex. 19.15 Sliema vs Sirens.
Saturday: KO SFs – 18.00 Valletta vs Marsaxlokk. 19.15 Neptunes vs Exiles.

Premier League

Division One