Holders Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate beat Valletta Mc Donald’s in the first knock-out semi-final to earn the right to meet either Neptunes or Sirens in the final.

The Blues had the edge and conducted the score except for brief moments in the first session.

They had the better shooters and were more varied in their movement against opponents who fought well especially through their chief scorers, Djorde Filipovic who struck five times and Milos Korolija who netted a hat-trick.

However, Sliema had more strength in depth as their eight players on their scorers’ list led by Antonio Petkovic (five goals) showed.

After edging 4-3 in front in the opening session, Sliema increased their advantage to 9-6 by mid-point. Their lead was extended to 12-8 at the end of the third session.

However, Valletta kept fighting and temporarily clipped the defict to 12-10.

But Sliema’s resilience told in the end as they finished comfortable winners by 16 goals to 12.

Marsascala 13
Marsaxlokk 12

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

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

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

Referees: P. Balzan, G. Lo Dico.

Sliema 16
Valletta 12

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

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta 1, N. Lubrano 2, T. Sullivan 1, M. Meli, J. Soler 2, J. Borg, C. Cluett, J. Browrnrigg 1, A. Attard 2, I. Basara 2, A. Petkovic 5, K. Schembri.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, R. Mock, J. Spiteri Staines, M. Korolija 3, D. Abela, S. Cachia, D. Paolella 1, C. Zammit 1, C. Debono, R. Scerri, M. Cordina 1, D. Filipovic 5, M. Rizzo 1

Referees: M. Dalli, G. Del Bosco.

Today: 18.45 Otters vs Ta’ Xbiex. 20.00 Neptunes vs Sirens.