Marsaxlokk Fischer kept up the pressure on neighbours Marsascala when they beat Ta’ Xbiex Amigos to reach 23 points and overtake the team led by Pierre Borg, but with the latter side, on 21 points, having today’s First Division match against Otters to recuperate.
Marsaxlokk’s success over opponents who thrashed Otters 20-7 on Wednesday was inspired by an excellent Sean Xerri de Caro whose playmaking and eye for goal were a feature of the match.
The first two sessions were evenly contested as Marsaxlokk’s lead was repeatedly neutralised until the teams changed ends on 4-4.
Within less than four minutes in the third quarter the southerners opened a three-goal advantage (7-4) with Xerri de Caro remaining the protagonist.
His team remained in the driving seat despite the efforts of Peter Markoch who netted three goals for the losers.
Into the last session and Ian Azzopardi’s team opened a cushion of 11-6 before late goals by Milos Maksimovic, twice, and Sean Gravina made it more respectable for Ta’ Xbiex.
In the second match only prestige and statistics were at stake as Sirens Ritter Sport defeated Valletta McDonald’s by a four-goal margin.
The match also marked the end of a fine playing career by Matthew Pisani who managed to put his name among the scorers.
Marsaxlokk 11
Ta’ Xbiex 9
(1-1, 3-3, 4-1, 3-4)
Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, A. Agius, B. Fulope 2, A. Galea, G. Busuttil, C. Bugeja, M. Fenech 2, S. Xerri De Caro 5, A. Mifsud 1, O. Frick, A. Arrigo, D. Borg Millo 1, M. Scerri.
Ta’ Xbiex: L. Pace, M. Maksimovic 3, M. Camilleri, S. Aquilina, M. Agius, J. Cauchi, S. Gravina 2, K. Debattista 1, E. Gravina, R. Attard, O. Zammit, P. Markoch 3.
Referees: P. Balzan, A. Petronilli.
Valletta 8
Sirens 12
(0-4, 3-2, 3-2, 2-4)
Valletta: R. Sciortino, R. Mock 2, M. Spiteri Staines, M. Korolija 2, J.C. Farrugia, S. Cachia, D. Paolella 2, D. Abela, C. Debono, C. Zammit 1, M. Cordina, D. Filipovic, M. Rizzo 1.
Sirens: N. Grixti, Z. Mizzi 1, C. Presciutti 5, G. Pace 1, M. Grech, C. Kiss 4, M. Balucci, D. Cutajar, J. Napier, E. Aquilina, L. Caruana, A. Sammut, M. Pisani 1.
Referees: A. De Raffaele, L. Bianco.
Playing today
Women’s KO SF: 17.00 Neptunes vs San Ġiljan.
First Division: 18.15 Otters vs Marsascala.
Premier League: 19.30 Neptunes vs San Ġiljan.