Neptunes Grimaldi and Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate did what was expected of them when beating Ta’ Xbiex Amigos and Marsascala Mor€ respectively as the BOV preliminary round group matches continued yesterday.

In the opening clash the Blues may not have been at their sharpest when dismissing the south-seasiders 16-11.

Over-confidence from Sliema contrasted with their opponents’ fighting spirit which had the scoring skills of Sergi Mora and Gergo Marnitz, who hit five and four goals respectively, very much in evidence.

Vince Balasz, the Sliema coach, made use of his top order players almost throughout despite securing a good buffer which at one time stretched to eight goals.

The end result was that the final scoreline was enough to appease the Marsascala clan.

The subsequent match turned out to be a work-out for Neptunes in the skills of execution as the champions drilled 24 goals past their weaker opponents with consummate ease.

Ta’ Xbiex paraded former Neptunes player Sean Gravina, scorer of two goals.

However, they could do nothing against the Balluta Bay Reds who once more never unloaded Peter Biros from the bench.

A couple of young faces, among whom was Miguel Zammit who netted a brace, were utilised as several thoroughbreds were rested.

Summaries

Marsascala 11
Sliema 16

(2-5, 1-3, 2-5, 6-3)

Marsascala: D. Spiteri, J.C. Cutajar 1, S. Mora 5, C. Bonello, E. Meli 1, L. Grixti, M. Pace, S. Micallef, C. Mifsud, D. Cassar, G. Marnitz 4, J. Cremona.

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta 1, N. Lubrano, T. Sullivan, M. Meli 2, J. Soler 3, J. Borg 3, C. Cluett, J. Brownrigg 1, N. Bugelli, A. Petkovic 4, T. Hutten 2, K. Schembri

Referees: P. Giordano, P. Balzan.

Ta’ Xbiex 7
Neptunes 24

(2-7, 1-7, 3-6, 1-4)

Ta’ Xbiex: L. Borg, L. Pace, J. Cauchi, S. Aquilina, F. Tenzera 1, K. Mock, S. Gravina 2, M. Camilleri, E. Gravina 1, R. Attard, O. Zammit 1, M. Maksimovic 2.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 3, M. Zammit 2, M. Stellini 3, T. Agius 1, G. Mizzi, S. Camilleri 6, J. Camilleri 4, A. Zarb Cousin 2, P. Biros, B. Dougall, T. Molnar 3, C. Mercieca.

Referees: S. Licari, R. Spiteri.

Next fixtures
Tuesday: 18.45 Ta’ Xbiex vs Sliema; 20.00 Neptunes vs Valletta.
Wednesday: 18.45 Marsaxlokk vs Sirens; 20.00 San Ġiljan vs Exiles.

Group A

Group B