A match of several sharp twists resulting in fluctuating fortunes went the way of Otters Nivea after a clearcut win over Ta’ Xbiex Amigos in yesterday’s only fixture at Tal-Qroqq.

Besides avenging last Saturday’s 9-7 defeat at the hands of the same opponents, the Gozo team have moved to joint second position in the First Division table alongside Marsaxlokk, each on 11 points and seven adrift of leaders Marsascala.

The match postponed from July 25, after the ASA competitions were temporarily suspended, had Otters getting off to a brisk start with their prolific scorer, Ivan Vuksanovic, grabbing four goals for a 4-2 first session lead for the Gozitans.

A brace from Otis Zammit and a rapid four-goal spree from Peter Markoch swayed the match the other way as Ta’ Xbiex won the next session 7-1.

Then it was Otters’ turn to make a comeback when two goals from Christophe Martin, Andrei Edward, Vuksanovic and Keith Grima Scott levelled matters on ten-all into the last quarter.

Again, Ta’ Xbiex stalled completely, allowing their fresher opponents to forge ahead convincingly, with Paris and Duncan Schembri each scoring twice and Vuksanovic closing his impressive six-goal tally.

Summary

Otters 15
Ta’ Xbiex 10

(4-2, 1-7, 5-1, 5-0)

Otters: J. Micallef, G. Attard, G. Zammit, A. Cachia, R. Bonnici, A. Borg, J. Paris 2, D. Schembri 2, A. Edward 1, S. Dimech, C. Martin 3, I. Vuksanovic 6, K. Grima Scott 1.

Ta’ Xbiex: L. Borg, M. Maksimovic, M. Camilleri, S. Aquilina, M. Agius, J. Cauchi, S. Gravina 1, K. Debattista, E. Gravina, L. Pace, R. Attard, O. Zammit 4, P. Markoch 5.

Referees: M. Angilleri and P. Giordano.

First Division

Next fixtures

Tomorrow: 18.15 Relegation Pool – Valletta vs Exiles. BOV KO final – 19.30 Sliema vs Neptunes.