In yesterday’s BOV waterpolo programme, Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate registered the biggest win so far in the competition when overwhelming Ta’ Xbiex Amigos 25-5, while Neptunes Grimaldi ovecame Valletta McDonald’s 18-9 in what eventually turned out to be a cantering victory.

As anticipated, the Blues piled up the goals in a match which they dominated from start to finish despite not utilising Peter Hutten.

Goals from their players were never at a premium as was the constant rotation of most of their manjack when they were given a feel of the water.

Sliema exploited their opponents’ weaknesses especially on the break.

Ta’ Xbiex were outwitted despite the presence of their chief goalscorer Milos Maksimovic and the introduction of Peter Markoch in lieu of Filip Tenzera, of Montenegro.

The four goals netted by Maksimovic were bettered by John Soler and Antonio Petkovic who struck six and five times respectively.

In the next match, Neptunes survived some uneasy moments early on before opening the throttle in the latter sessions to send the City team reeling.

A supercharged Valletta held their ground well in the opening quarters, taking the lead three times before Neptunes opened a three-goal gap.

They were still in it at the halfway stage although they could not help feeling that their opponents’ heavier ammunition would eventually surface.

That is what happened in the third session when the 7-1 scoreline swayed the result well and truly in Neptunes’ favour.

The changing of the guard when a couple of young Neptunes faces were handed playing duties in the latter stages of the game was normal after the result was secured.

For the record, Reds’ ace Hungarian, Peter Biros, was again not utilised at all.

Summaries

Ta’ Xbiex 5
Sliema 25

(1-7, 1-5, 1-6, 2-7)

Ta’ Xbiex: L. Borg, L. Pace, M. Camilleri, S. Aquilina, J. Cauchi, K. Mock, S. Gravina, M. Agius 1, E. Gravina, M. Maksimovic 4, R. Attard, O. Zammit, P. Markoch.

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta 3, N. Lubrano 1, T. Sullivan 2, M. Meli 2, J. Soler 6, J. Borg, C. Cluett 1, J. Brownrigg 4, N. Bugelli 1, A. Petkovic 5, T. Hutten, K. Schembri.

Referees: R. Spiteri, P. Giordano.

Neptunes 18
Valletta 9

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

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, M. Lanzon, M. Stellini 4, T. Agius, M. Zammit, S. Camilleri 3, J. Camilleri 3, A. Zarb Cousin, P. Biros, B. Dougall, T. Molnar 5, C. Mercieca 1.

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

Referees: A. De Raffaele and K. Denver.

Playing today
18.45 Marsaxlokk vs Sirens
20.00 San Ġiljan vs Exiles

Group A

Group B