A fired-up Neptunes Grimaldi claimed the President’s Cup which they won last year, again at the expense of Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate.

Once more, it was a duel typical of the many between these two giants of local waterpolo.

Neptunes won the contest 11-8 and now the teams have won an honour apiece this year.

Smarting from their defeat against the Blues in the Winter League decider last month, the Reds displayed better nerves despite suffering almost double the expulsions of their opponents and having to play half of the last session without their influential new recruit Peter Biros who was fouled out.

The brimstone was then supplied by their scoring catalyst Steve Camilleri who collected a hat-trick in the last quarter after looking subdued, almost anonymous, in the first three sessions, also contriving to have a penalty saved by solid Blues keeper Ryan Camilleri.

In fact, both goalkeepers were generally safe, with Neptunes’ blocking looking more efficient than that of Sliema.

The Reds’ edge at times was clear, but the Blues fought back to level at five-all after Niki Lanzon and his team-mates went off the blocks in decisive fashion to take a 3-0 lead.

Neptunes, though regained the driving seat to twice pull away on a two-goal lead and subsequently on three goals.

The drama reached a climax in the last session with Neptunes holding out confidently after Biros was pulled up for the third time with major infringements with the score on 9-7

At this point Camilleri came good and Neptunes’ victory was secure. Theirs was the eighth success in this cup match, two more than the Blues.

At the end of the match, ASA president Joe Caruana Curran presented the cup to Neptunes captain Lanzon and medals to all winners and losers.

Valletta retain cup

Valletta McDonald’s all but strolled past Marsascala Mor€ to retain the Sports Journalists Cup.

They owe their 11-7 victory to a good opening base which helped them take a 5-0 first session lead, after which they kept their opponents at bay.

The Southerners’ reaction earned them a 3-2 scoreline in their favour in the second session. Their foreigners Sergi Mora and Gergo Marnitz scored five goals between them.

The City team, for whom Djordje Filipovic and Milos Korolija scored two and one goal respectively, cruised to victory, winning the third quarter 2-1 but losing 3-2 in the final session.

However, their success had long been hammered home.

At the end of the contest, Charles Camenzuli, president of the Sports Journalists Association, presented the cup to Valletta captain Simon Cachia.

Valletta players and officials in a team photo at the end of yesterday’s match against Marsascala. Photos: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Summaries

Valletta 11
Marsascala 7

(5-0, 2-3, 2-1, 2-3)

Valletta: R. Sciortino, R. Mock 2, M. Spiteri Staines 3, M. Korolija 1, N. Bonello Ghio, S. Cachia, M. Cordina 1, M. Rizzo 2, C. Debono, C. Zammit, D. Paolella, D. Filipovic 2, D. Abela.

Marsascala: D. Spiteri, J.C. Cutajar 2, S. Mora 3, C. Bonello, E. Meli, L. Grixti, K. Rizzo Naudi, J. Cremona, S. Micallef, C. Mifsud, M. Pace, G. Marnitz 2, J. Cremona.

Referees: P. Balzan, M. Dalli.

Neptunes 11
Sliema 8

(3-0, 2-4, 2-1, 4-3)

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, M. Lanzon, M. Stellini 1, T. Agius, G. Mizzi, S. Camilleri 3, J. Camilleri 1, A. Zarb Cousin, P. Biros 1, B. Dougall, T. Molnar 2, C. Mercieca 1.

Sliema: R. Coleiro, N. Bugelli, N. Lubrano, T. Sullivan, M. Meli, J. Soler 1, J. Borg, C. Cluett, J. Brownrigg 1, A. Attard, T. Hutten 3, A. Petkovic 3, K. Schembri.

Referees: M. Angileri, A. DeRaffaele.