Neptunes Grimaldi and San Ġiljan All Care Insurance could not go beyond the sharing of spoils in a match which produced 14 goals yesterday.

The result might prove more costly for the Reds in the final reckoning after they lost to holders Sliema before the competition went into a three-week recess due to the international break.

The Reds’ superior central zone cover in the first two sessions seemed to be a better weapon and their 4-2 lead at the half-way mark was deserved.

However, the Saints, back to full strength with Matthew Zammit returning after injury, staged a recovery in the third session and even went ahead momentarily before Neptunes redressed the imbalance to make it 5-5.

San Ġiljan, whose press in the last sessions started paying dividends, twice fell behind on 6-5 and 7-6 before a third goal from Dino Zammit and a second from the opportunistic Keith Galea, 36 seconds from time, made it all square.

In the First Division clash of the minnows, nine-man Ta’ Xbiex Amigos edged Otters Nivea 9-8 in a close match.

After Ta’ Xbiex had gone ahead by three goals on as many occasions in the middle sessions, the Gozitan team managed to draw level on 8-8.

However, Paul Micallef’s third personal goal and the ninth for his team settled the issue. His team-mate Anthony Bajada also netted a hat-trick, as did Ayrton Camenzuli and Daniel Borg Millo for the losers.

Summaries

Otters 8
Ta’ Xbiex 9

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

Otters: R. Bonnici, A. Cachia, A. Camenzuli 3, A. Azzopardi, A. Borg, E. Pace Bonello, N. Camenzuli 1, M. Borg Millo, M. Dimech, D. Borg Millo 3, C. Martin 1, J. Galea, P. Teuma

Ta’ Xbiex: J. Micallef, L. Pace, M. Camilleri, P. Micallef 3, R. Greco 2, K. Mock 1, J. Galea, A. Bajada 3, E. Gravina.

Referees: R. Magri, P. Balzan.

Neptunes 7
San Ġiljan 7

(2-1, 2-1, 1-3, 2-2)

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, M. Lanzon, M. Stellini 2, T. Agius 1, S. Xerri de Caro, G. Mizzi, J. Camilleri 2, M. Zam-mit, B. Lanzon, B. Muscat, C. Mercieca.

San Ġiljan: J. Sammut, P. Borg, A. Galea 1, K. Galea 2, K. Dowling, M. Zammit 1, B. Grech, B. Plumpton, Darren Zammit, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 3, D. Spiteri.

Referees: A. De Raffaele, P. Balzan.