At the end of the day, Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate registered a 14-8 routine win over Exiles Ferretti, a result which cuts the Blues’ leeway in the top pool from leaders Neptunes to two points, with the Reds having to recuperate today’s match in hand against San Ġiljan.

However, the result was effectively rounded off to comfortable proportions in the final session of the match as the Blues’ superior staying power helped them pull clear from their opponents after starting the fourth quarter only 7-5 ahead.

Following some early approximative finishing, at both ends, Exiles netted twice through goals from Peter Borg and James Spiteri Staines before Antonio Pet-kovic reduced the gap.

With Exiles’ momentum halted Sliema scored four in succession in the second session to make it 5-2, after which a brace from Luka Sekulic made it less comfortable for the Blues as they changed ends 5-4 in front.

Two goals from John Soler, who netted four times in all, and John Brownrigg made it 7-5 but again centre Borg narrowed the gap for Exiles after Jerome Gabarretta’s great miss.

Within two minutes in the last quarter Sliema were relieved when Soler struck twice to give his team a 9-5 advantage.

Meanwhile, Exiles kept suffering more expulsions from which their opponents profited amply to end clearcut winners.

In the preceding match of the evening, a goal scored by Jean Claude Cutajar 15 seconds from time earned Marsascala Mor€ a 10-10 draw against Marsaxlokk Fischer.

This result all but ensures the First Division title for the team under the helm of Pierre Borg as they now stand seven points clear from the nearest challengers.

Marsaxlokk were two goals ahead 92 seconds from the end thanks to goals from Bence Fulope and Sean Xerri de Caro.

But goals from Sergi Mora, who struck a total of four, and Cutajar, scorer of a hat-trick, restored the equilibrium.

Summaries

Marsaxlokk 10
Marsascala 10

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

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

Marsascala: D. Spiteri, J.C. Cutajar 3, S. Mora 4, C. Bonello, E. Meli 1, L. Grixti, M. Pace 1, J. Cremona, S. Micallef, C. Mifsud, D. Cassar, G. Marnitz 1, J. Cremona.

Referees: M. Dalli, S. Alfi.

Exiles 8
Sliema 14

(2-1, 2-4, 1-2, 3-7)

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

Sliema Frank Salt: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta, N. Lubrano, T. Sullivan, M. Meli, J. Soler 4, J. Borg 3, C. Cluett, J. Brownrigg 2, A. Attard 1, I. Basara 2, A. Petkovic 2, K. Schembri.

Referees: A. De Raffaele, A. Marongiu.

Playing today
First Division: 17.00 Ta’ Xbiex Amigos vs Otters Nivea.
Premier: 18.15 Sirens Ritter Sport vs Valletta McDonald’s; 19.30 San Ġiljan Allcare vs Neptunes Grimaldi.

Premier League

First Division