The First Division KO final between Marsascala More and Otters Nivea was called off two seconds into the second session following a power outage at the National Pool.
The Aquatic Sports Association Council officials conferred with the coaches of both teams and it was decided to postpone the match to a date to be announced.
A two-goal lead for the Gozitan team, courtesy of Ivan Vuksanovic was neutralised by a brace Gergo Marnitz before power went off with one minute 37 seconds remaining in the first session.
When play resumed, and the floodlights still off, Ian Grixti put Marsascala 3-2 in front. Soon after the second session started and with daylight fading the postponement was inevitable.
Earlier yesterday, Sirens Ritter Sport had the better of Exiles Ferretti after a comfortable 16-11 victory which consolidates their top status in the Premier Division Relegation Pool on 16 points.
Bogdan Rath, back at the helm of Sirens after serving suspension, had the better set up with the usual Christian Presciutti topping his team’s scorers list with four goals followed by left-hander Zach Mizzi who scored three.
On their part, Exiles had Julian Rizzo Naudi and Kurt Grixti each netting a hat-trick.
Exiles fought back after a four-goal deficit was twice reduced to one goal. However, the losers could not stop Sirens’ final surge.
Summaries
Exiles 11
Sirens 16
(2-4, 2-3, 3-3, 4-6)
Exiles: I. Bugeja, J. Rizzo Naudi 3, S. Vassallo 1, D. Pace Lupi, G. Katonas 1, D. Borg, J. Spiteri Staines, K. Grixti 3, L. Sekulic 2, P. Borg 1, B. Lanzon, S. Galea Pace, K. Lanzon.
Sirens: N. Grixti, Z. Mizzi 3, C. Presciutti 4, G. Pace 2, M. Grech 2, C. Kiss 2, M. Caruana, D. Cutajar, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 2, L. Caruana, A. Sammut 1, M. Pisani.
Referees: M. Dalli, M. Sponza.
Marsascala 3
Otters 2
(Match called halted due to power failure)
Marsascala: D. Spiteri, J.C. Cutajar, S. Mora, C. Bonello, E. Meli, L. Grixti 1, M. Pace, J. Cremona, S. Micallef, C. Mifsud, D. Cassar, G. Marnitz 2, J. Cremona.
Otters: J. Micallef, G. Attard, G. Zammit, A. Azzopardi, R. Bonnici, A. Borg, J. Paris, D. Schembri, A. Edward, S. Dimech, C. Martin, I. Vuksanovic 2, K. Grima Scott.
Referees: A. De Raffaele, M. Sponza.
San Ġiljan coach
San Ġiljan ASC announced that assistant coach Aleksander Nikolic will be in charge of their team in the BOV National League for the rest of the season following the departure of Sergio Afric.
Nikolic will be guiding the team for the final four matches of the championship.
San Ġiljan also said that Nikolic will be supported by Aurelien Cousin who earlier this year joined the Saints coaching ranks in the youth sector.
Next fixture
Tomorrow: Division One 19.00 Otters Nivea vs Ta’ Xbiex Amigos.
Premier League
P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
Neptunes | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 144 | 97 | 26 |
Sliema | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 113 | 100 | 21 |
San Ġiljan | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 117 | 99 | 15 |
Sirens | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 123 | 125 | 16 |
Valletta | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 96 | 120 | 7 |
Exiles | 11 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 93 | 145 | 3 |