‘Red Devils’ read one of the streamers put up by the Neptunes Emirates supporters during their vital league clashes against San Ġiljan Sir Alex this summer.

Indeed, the fear factor instilled by the devil was very much in evidence in the ranks of the Reds’ opponents as they again tried to break the four-year league monopoly of the Balluta Bay team.

This time it was their neighbours San Ġiljan who fell just short of dislodging Sergey Markoch’s team from their lofty status.

Six league titles in the last eight years, four of which in succession, the second time this feat has been achieved since their 1986-89 era, and a spate of other honours have rubber-stamped their standing as the team of the last decade.

“We aim to go higher,” said their Russian coach Markoch when confronted with the question ‘What next?’

“The team is built on solid foundations and the players’ thirst for more success is insatiable. We are now aiming for higher goals in the shape of a fifth league title on the spin. That will break new ground,” he told the Sunday Times of Malta.

“My players were disciplined and knew that they had to fight till the end for this latest triumph. It is difficult to reach the top but even harder to stay there. They all made their club and supporters proud again as they won the 22nd championship.”

Undoubtedly, the names of captain Niki Lanzon and ace-scorer Steve Camilleri, who has become more of an all-purpose player, deserve to be included in the pantheon of local waterpolo greats.

Goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole has been a hit while top order players, Michele Stellini, Jordan Camilleri, Clint Mercieca and Sean Gravina have all been steadying factors.

The contribution of ageless Hungarian Tamas Molnar and playmaker Aleksander Ciric, from Serbia, was immense. Timmy Agius was at hand when needed and to a lesser extent stand-in goalkeeper Andrea Sammut, Gabriel Pace and Benji Lanzon.

The team is built on solid foundations and the players’ thirst for more success is insatiable- Sergey Markoch

The team’s momentary blip when they lost two successive matches against San Ġiljan and Sliema receded into the background as the players summoned great determination to win back their spurs after back-to-back victories against their bold neighbours who deserve all credit for their valorous displays which fell short at the last hurdle.

Yes, San Ġiljan helped to make it an intensely interesting race for the top title.

The epilogue to the season when the decider had to be abandoned is best left out of the history books and it is everybody’s hope that the incident will not have undesired repercussions.

Sliema have had a quiet league season given their expectations.

At least, they made up for this lapse by winning their 26th knock-out title in a trademark, gripping match against Neptunes which they won 17-16 after a penalty shoot-out.

No doubt, they will bounce back as is typical of their standing as giants of the local game.

John Soler, probably in the twilight of a very successful career, had another satisfactory season when finishing among the best scorers. Most of the others did reasonably well especially in the cup-winning run.

Sirens and Exiles knew their limitations but at times performed with credit as they gave their budding players more exposure to top waterpolo. Their presence in the BOV Premier Division continues to add to the allure of the competition.

A strengthened Valletta Utd, piloted by Anthony Farrugia, were deserved winners of the First Division double. They were the most consistent team and their success should push them towards better targets in their bid to regain their former glory days.

Runners-up Marsascala battled courageously and managed to fend off the challenge for second place of an improved Otters Nivea team.

All in all it was an entertaining season complemented by Malta’s positive results in the Euro Championship, good refereeing and excellent organisation by the ASA.

2013 honours

Premier League: Neptunes.
Premier KO: Sliema.
President’s Cup: Neptunes.
Division One: Valletta.
Division One KO: Valletta.
Sportwriters Cup: Valletta.
Winter League: Neptunes.
U-20 league: San Ġiljan.
U-17 league: Sliema.
U-15 league: Neptunes.
U-13 league: Sirens.
Women’s league: Neptunes.

Top scorers

S. Camilleri (Neptunes) - 63 goals
T. Molnar (Neptunes) - *57
G. Kiss (Sliema) - 42
J. Soler (Sliema) - 39
P. Biros (San Ġiljan) - 37
N. Lanzon (Neptunes) - 32
V. Cupic (Exiles) - 30
M. Avramovic (San Ġiljan) - 28
A. Babay (Sirens) - 27
A. Radovic (Exiles) - 25

Note: Tamas Molnar is the only player to have scored in every Premier Division match.

Final standings

Premier Division

Division One