In the most awaited match of the day, played in wintry conditions, Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate took advantage of San Ġiljan’s loss of two points, when they drew with Neptunes on Friday, to move to the top of the table with maximum points from four matches after defeating Sirens Ritter Sport 13-8, yesterday.

The most notable episode of this clash, though not really the turning point, was the exclusion for four minutes of useful Sirens centre Zach Mizzi for serious foul play late in the opening session.

At first referee Massimo Angileri had signalled a dismissal with substitution before the decision was rectified.

Sliema could then stretch their lead from 3-2 to 7-3 before the Blues, again playing tight press, had that advantage reduced to 7-6 early in the third session.

Meanwhile, Sirens coach Bogdan Rath had been red-carded for persistent protests.

With Christian Cluett hitting four goals and John Soler three, the Blues were able to regain their comfortable lead. Their superior brawn and better shooting ability made for the difference in the end, despite the northerners’ gallant efforts.

In the other Premier League match Valletta McDonald’s scraped to a 6-5 victory over Exiles Ferretti to earn their first points of the competition and leave their opponents anchored at the bottom of the table.

The City team laid the basis of their win in the first quarter which they won by three clear goals.

Eventually, Exiles fought back to share the second session and edge each of the last two by a solitary goal. Then they just fell short of saving the match, especially after missing a couple of crucial man-ups in the last seconds.

The derby of the south was resolved in favour of Marsaxlokk Fischer who beat title-holders Marsascala Nutrition 10-5.

It was a deserved success for the side steered by Ian Azzopardi, not least for the fact that they grabbed the scoring opportunities at the right time to gradually open a fairly good gap in the last session.

Victory has earned them top spot in the table with maximum spoils from three matches.

Their top scorer was again Claudio Spiteri Debarro with a hat-trick.

Summaries

Marsascala 5
Marsaxlokk 10

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

Marsascala: K. Schembri, M. Pace, C. Bonello 2, L. Grixti, J.C. Cutajar 2, J. Busuttil, J. Cremona, S. Micallef, K. Navarro, D. Cassar, C. Mifsud 1, F. Buhagiar

Marsaxlokk: O. Xuereb, C. Spiteri Debarro 3, A. Galea 1, C. Gialanze 1, C. Bugeja 2, N. Portelli 1, T. Camillleri, A. Zarb Cousin 1, R. Scerri 1, J. Cremona

Referees: P. Balzan, R. Magri.

Sirens 8
Sliema 13

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

Sirens: N. Grixti, Z. Mizzi 1, K. Debattista, G. Pace 2, M. Grech, A. Sammut, M. Caruana, D. Cutajar 2, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 2, L. Caruana 1, J. Sciberras, M. Muscat

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta 1, E. Meli, T. Sullivan, M. Meli 2, J. Soler 3, M. Spiteri Staines 1, C. Cluett 4, J. Gambin, A. Attard 2, A. Mifsud, M. Mifsud, Z. Sciberras

Referees: R. Spiteri, M. Angileri.

Valletta 6
Exiles 5

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

Valletta: D. Camilleri, A. Agius, M. Rizzo, K. Galea, N. Bonello Ghio, R. Mock, D. Paolella 2, M. Cordina 2, C. Zammit 2, O. Zammit, R. Sciortino

Exiles: S. Galea Pace, J. Rizzo Naudi, S. Vassallo, D. Pace Lupi, M. Paris, J. Spiteri Staines, S. Gravina 2, K. Grixti 1, D. Abela, A. Bianchi, P. Paris, L. Peric, K. Lanzon 2

Referees: P. Giordano, M. Dalli.