Neptunes Grimaldi thrived on the skills of their warhorses, mainly the Hungarian tandem of Peter Biros and Tamas Molnar, scorers of three and two goals respectively, and supplemented by Michele Stellini and Clint Mercieca (two goals each), and the acumen of captain Niki Lanzon and Jordan Camilleri who were also amongst the Reds’ scorers.

The champions again had the better of neighbours San Ġiljan All Care Insurance by a three-goal margin after beating them 14-11 in a cup match three days earlier.

This time it was 11-8, a result that puts them four points clear at the top of the standings.

Again it was a close opening session, with four goals being shared.

Both sides went for press with swift double cover to prevent ideal service to the centre. However, Sergey Markoch had in his ranks more skilful players both in the defensive and the offensive phases, a quality which could be noticed in the second eight minutes during which the gap opened to 5-2.

Midway through that quarter, the Reds’ scoring talisman Steve Camilleri had to leave the water with a shoulder injury and remained inoperative for the rest of the game.

This handicap did not prevent Neptunes from remaining in control against opponents who were very erratic on man-up sets.

Alan Borg Cole in goal and well-marshalled man-down blocking also accounted for the Saints’ failure in this respect.

Meanwhile, Neptunes’ 60 per cent card when they had a man more also kept them at an arm’s length as their advantage was kept constantly between three and four goals.

The last session was in fact marked by some soft pedalling from the Reds. Their 9-5 lead before the start of the last session was too much for the Saints to bridge.

In the previous clash Valletta McDonald’s took their opponents by the scruff of the neck to lower their colours fairly and squarely after defeating them 13-10.

It was a spirited display by the team again guided by Stephen Rizzo, the outcome surprising Bogdan Rath’s side to leave them in fourth place two points behind Sliema.

The City team were well-served by their chief goalscorers Milos Korolija (five goals) and Michael Rizzo, who netted a poker, with all the other components giving their fair share.

Sirens’ efforts to cut a four-goal deficit, primarily through Christian Presciutti and David Cutajar’s goals in the third session, proved to be in vain as Valletta managed to keep cool and win the last session to maintain their lead.

Summaries

Otters 6
Marsaxlokk 6

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

Otters: J. Micallef, G. Attard, G. Zammit, K. Scicluna, R. Bonnici, A. Borg, J. Paris, D. Schembri, A. Edward 1, S. Dimech, C. Martin, I. Vuksanovic 4, K. Grima Scott 1.

Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, A. Agius, B. Fulope 3, A. Galea, G. Busuttil, C. Bugeja, S. Xerri de Caro 2, A. Mifsud 1, O. Frick, A. Arrigo, D. Borg Millo, M. Scerri.

Refs: P. Giordano, M. Piano.

Valletta 13
Sirens 10

(3-3, 3-0, 4-6, 3-1)

Valletta: R. Sciortino, R. Mock, M. Spiteri Staines 1, M. Korolija 5, N. Bonello Ghio, S. Cachia, M. Cordina, C. Zammit 1, C. Debono 1, D. Abela, D. Paolella, D. Filipovic 1, M. Rizzo 4.

Sirens: N. Grixti, Z. Mizzi, C. Presciutti 4, G. Pace, M. Grech 1, C. Kiss 2, M. Caruana, D. Cutajar 2, J. Napier 1, E. Aquilina, L. Caruana, A. Sammut, M. Pisani .

Refs: A. De Raffaele, F. Brasiliano.

Neptunes 11
San Ġiljan 8

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

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

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri De Barro, A. Galea, Karl Galea, K. Dowling, M. Zammit 1, A. Radovic 4, A. Bianchi, Keith Galea, Z. Kovacic 1, P. Fava, D. Zammit 2, J. Sammut.

Refs: M. Angileri, M. Piano

Premier League

First Division