What was a bright kick-start by Valletta McDonald’s, when they took a 4-2 first session lead, turned out to be an easy win for leaders Neptunes Grimaldi as the second round of the Premier Division got underway yesterday.

As many had expected, the Reds managed to overcome that early wobble and eventually go into overdrive mode without actually hitting slick form.

The continued absence of Steve Camilleri, who was not risked in this match after suffering a shoulder injury against San Ġiljan last Saturday, was made up for by his brother Jordan, who netted four goals, one from an outside position, two on man-up sets from number two and the last from a cute finish off a break.

The City team were not strong enough to procure more than one exclusion in their favour, while conceding eight from which their opponents profited four times.

Their blows came mainly in the third session when principal shooters Michael Rizzo (red carded) and Charlie Zammit (after a third foul), had to abandon hostilities.

Neptunes, had been in total control by then as they blocked intelligently and swept into offensive positions to net three goals in each of the last three sessions.

Valletta were no longer a threat then as their opponents, making more profuse use of their middle order players, shifted positions admirably to take control, with seven of their units inserting themselves among the scorers.

Neptunes’ victory has now put them seven points clear of their nearest pursuers, San Ġiljan, who have today’s game against bottom team Exiles in hand.

Summary

Valletta 5
Neptunes 11

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

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

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

Referees: M. Dalli, S. Scollo.

Playing today
18.45 Sirens vs Sliema
20.00 Exiles vs San Ġiljan

Premier League