After yesterday’s three-match programme Neptunes Grimaldi opened a five-point lead at the top of the table as the start of the championship three-team pool looms.

The Reds beat Exiles Ferretti as comfortably as the 14-7 scoreline indicates, but what was more significant for them was that their pursuers, San Ġiljan Allcare Insurance, were unexpectedly beaten 12-11 by a smart Sirens Ritter Sport.

In between, Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate had to stretch every sinew to dismiss an unyielding Valletta McDonald’s side 11-9 in a lively match.

In the opening clash, the St Paul’s Bay team again confirmed what a resilient side they are as the Italian Christian Presciutti conjured a performance in line with his standing as an Italian national team player.

His six goals helped in no small way to lift his colleagues who responded admirably to his clarion call, including the alert Nicholas Grixti in goal.

However, the last accolade went to Andrew Sammut who swept forward unchallenged to score a dramatic winner four seconds from time after Kai Dowling’s brace in the last two minutes had appeared to at least save the match for San Ġiljan.

In the subsequent clash Sliema were made to battle hard to overcome tactically diligent opponents who only threw in the towel almost midway in the last session after they had led the more fancied Blues early on and also in the final quarter.

But the Għar-id-Dud team were propelled by five-goal Jerome Gabarretta, with the usual Antonio Petkovic coming to their rescue with three goals, two of which came at vital moments.

In the last match of the day, Neptunes were rarely troubled as they turned on the steam in the last two sessions to defeat Exiles comprehensively.

Having to rotate his units to make up for Tamas Molnar’s absence through suspension, the Neptunes coach made judicious use of his middle order players, especially Timmy Camilleri, scorer of two goals, and Andrew Zarb Cousin.

The thoroughbreds Steve Camilleri (four goals), Peter Biros, Michele Stellini, Clint Mercieca, who each netted a brace, and captain Niki Lanzon, provided the lubricant to keep their team’s machine running smoothly.

Summaries

San Ġiljan 11
Sirens 12

(3-3, 3-4, 1-1, 4-4)

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri de Barro, A. Galea, Karl Galea 1, K. Dowling 2, M. Zammit 3, A. Radovic 4, A. Bianchi, Keith Galea, Z. Kovacic 1, P. Fava, D. Zammit, J. Sammut.

Sirens: N. Grixti, Z. Mizzi, C. Presciutti 6, G. Pace, M. Grech 1, C. Kiss 2, M. Caruana, D. Cutajar, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 1, L. Caruana, A. Sammut 2, M. Pisani.

Referees: M. Dalli, G. Fusco.

Sliema 11
Valletta 9

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

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta 5, N. Lubrano 1, T. Sullivan, M. Meli, J. Soler, J. Borg, C. Cluett, J. Brownrigg, A. Attard 1, I. Basara 1, A. Petkovic 3, K. Schembri.

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

Referees: P. Balzan and B. D’Alessio.

Exiles 7
Neptunes 14

(1-3, 2-2, 2-5, 2-4)

Exiles: I. Bugeja, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, S. Vassallo 1, D. Pace Lupi 1, G. Katonas 2, S. Galea Pace, J. Spiteri Staines, K. Grixti, L. Sekulic 2, P. Borg, B. Lanzon, D. Borg, K. Lanzon.

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

Referees: R. Spiteri, G. Fusco.

Premier League

First Division