Marsascala captain Joseph Cremona lifts the league trophy.

Neptunes Grimaldi came from behind to topple their neighbours San Ġiljan All Care Insurance 18-16 in a match which had two twists in the second and third sessions bordering on the bizarre.

In yesterday’s opener, Marsascala Mor€ defeated Otters Nivea 15-9 to clinch the First Division title, two points ahead of Marsaxlokk who were hoping that their neighbours would concede points and thus top the table themselves.

The Premier Division match turned out to be a combative one where Neptunes were after maintaining their unbeaten run while the Saints eyed a possible second place given that they had to face Sliema on Tuesday.

At one point early in the third session the Saints were 11-6 ahead with the Reds having had the free-scoring Steve Camilleri dismissed late in the second session.

San Ġiljan, replete with youngsters, had overwhelmed Neptunes 7-3 in the second quarter.

However, the Balluta team dug deep into their tank to stun their opponents when winning the third session 7-1 thus taking a 13-11 lead into the final eight minutes.

But by then it was the turn of Aleksander Radovic to be red-carded just before the last session started.

Midway through Neptunes led 15-11, with Lanzon and Biros playing the tune.

A partial comeback had the Saints closing in on 17-16 but that was too late for them to save the day as Lanzon struck last for a two-goal victory margin for his team.

In the opening clash the team guided by Pierre Borg had a typically slow start before they picked up the rhythm in the second quarter to pull away from opponents who only had pride to play for.

Besides winning the lower tier championship the boys from the south will now meet bottom of the Premier Division Exiles in a best-of three-matches play-off to determine which side obtains a berth in the top league next season

It was all-square after the first session, but Marsascala, for whom Sergi Mora, Matthew Pace and Gergo Marnitz each scored four goals, took the initiative in the next quarter to make it 9-6 at midpoint.

That lead was extended by another goal as Marsascala won the next session 4-3 before they sealed victory in the final quarter with another two goals.

Otters 9
Marsascala 15

(5-4, 1-5, 3-4, 0-2)

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

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

Referees: M. Angileri, A. Petronilli.

Neptunes 18
San Ġiljan 16

(3-3, 3-7, 7-1, 5-5)

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 5, M. Lanzon, M. Stellini 4, T. Agius 1, G. Mizzi, S. Camilleri 1, J. Camilleri 1, A. Zarb Cousin, P. Biros 4, B. Muscat, T. Molnar 1, C. Mercieca 1.

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, D. Zammit, A. Galea 2, B. Plumpton 2, J. Galea, M. Zammit 1, A. Radovic 4, A. Bianchi, K. Galea, Z. Kovacic 5, P. Fava, D. Zammit 2, J. Sammut.

Referees: P. Balzan, L. Bianco.

Premier League

First Division