Malta 25
Wales 12

(5-2, 6-3, 6-3, 8-4)

The Maltese national team consolidated their position at the top of the Commonwealth Champion-ships round-robin tournament after trouncing Wales 25-12 to keep a perfect record at the Aber-deen Sports Village Aquatic Centre, Scotland, yesterday.

Malta had Karl Izzo and his assistant Anthony Farrugia away from the bench following the red cards they both had incurred in Tuesday’s match against South Africa.

However, as the scoreline clearly suggests, the penalty measure against the Maltese coaches went almost unnoticed as the team stuck to their pre-match tactics, kept composure and never allowed the Welshmen to settle into their game.

Wales had threatened a comeback midway through the second session when pulling back to 8-5 but after changing ends 11-5 in front, Malta, inspired by the goals from Matthew Zammit, Jordan Camilleri and Michele Stellini, continued to surge ahead leaving their opponents in their wake.

The outcome of the match allowed the national team selectors to rotate their formation with reserve goalkeeper Dean Camilleri also allowed plenty of minutes in the water along with other fringe players in Izzo’s squad.

This was Malta’s fifth victory from as many matches. Today is a rest day for the squad but they return to action tomorrow with a crunch match against second-placed England who beat hosts Scotland 17-4 in yesterday’s last match in programme.

Malta and England will be clashing again on Saturday in the gold medal match with three teams – South Africa, New Zealand and Scotland – still vying for the two slots in the play-off for third place.

Malta’s scorers
M. Zammit 7, J. Camilleri 5, M. Stellini 4, D. Zammit 3, T. Sullivan 2, J. Brownrigg, C. Mercieca, N. Lanzon, A. Attard.

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