Valletta McDonalds repeated their battling performance against Sliema a week ago with another spirited display against the morefancied San Ġiljan All Care Insurance which had them stretching the Saints for all but one session to end on the wrong side of a close 15-13 scoreline.

Although San Ġiljan showed more potential when shifting the ball to good effect and blocking efficiently when not in possession, they could only show their edge in the second quarter.

After that the City team kept battling and hounding their opponents who would have wanted to be in more serene waters.

The Saints led 5-4 in a high-scoring opening session, after which they took a 10-6 lead by midpoint.

Their edge, though, was not so clearcut as Michael Spiteri Staines and Djordje Filipovic offered a real threat when netting four goals each.

For San Ġiljan, Zejlko Kovacic also netted a poker, as did Matthew Zammit, with Dino Zammit’s potent shooting from the number four and central positions accounting for his hat-trick.

However, Valletta never gave up and one could admire their staying power and tactical skills in the last two quarters during which they refused to buckle.

In the earlier clash of the second tier division, Marsascala Mor€ found their scoring touch from the second session onwards to beat fellow south seasiders Marsaxlokk Fischer 12-8 after overcoming an unsteady start.

Marsaxlokk, could not sustain a momentary 5-1 lead, which matured at the beginning of the second session.

With Marsascala’s scoring architects, Sergi Mora who was back again, and Gergo Marnitz each scoring a nap-hand of goals, Ian Azzopardi’s team were unable to keep in touch with their opponents, particulary in the decisive third session.

Bence Fulope stood out for the losers with four goals followed by two from Sean Xerri De Caro.

Summaries

Marsaxlokk 8
Marsascala 12

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

Marsaxlokk: A Xuereb, A. Agius, B. Fulope 4, A. Galea 1, G. Zammit, C. Bugeja, M. Fenech, S. Xerri de Caro 2, A. Mifsud 1, O. Frick, A. Arrigo, D. Borg Millo, M. Scerri.

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

Referees: R. Spiteri, S. O’Brien.

San Ġiljan 15
Valletta 13

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

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri DeBarro, A. Galea, Karl Galea 1, K. Dowling 1, M. Zammit 4, A. Radovic 1, A. Bianchi, Keith Galea, Z. Kovacic 4, P. Fava 1, D. Zammit 3, J. Sammut.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, R. Mock, M. Spiteri Staines 4, M. Korolija 2, N. Bonello Ghio, D. Abela, M. Cordina 1, C. Zammit 1, C. Debono, R. Scerri, D. Paolella, D. Filipovic 4, M. Rizzo 1.

Referees: P. Balzan, D. McKerr.