As expected this was another pulsating clash, a very close President’s Cup contest resolved in extremis in favour of the team that had a longer bench and thus made wider use of their players.
One cannot deny that Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate’s fighting qualities are second to none and these traits emerge mostly when they come up against Neptunes Grimaldi.
With the Reds conducting play and the scoreline comfortably for most of the proceedings, the Blues scraped the bottom of their barrel to turn the tide in their favour after having been 9-5 behind midway in the third session.
A balanced first session ended 1-1 after which the Reds took over as they forged ahead 6-3 before the Blues closed the gap to 6-4 late in the third quarter.
On 6-5 in their favour, Neptunes netted three more to go 9-5 up.
Then a missed penalty by Peter Biros deprived them of another goal when Niki Lanzon had ample time to break and lob over Ryan Coleiro which he did.
However, referee Mario Dalli was too quick in annulling the goal and awarding a penalty as the Blues’ goalkeeper splashed water in his opponent’s face.
Neptunes then conceded two quick goals and Sliema were able to close the gap on 9-7 before a visibly distraught Neptunes could not contain their sprightly opponents.
Into the last session and Sliema turned the tables to lead 10-9, but four-goal Steve Camilleri netted a late equaliser to extend the hostilities to extra time.
The Blues were full of life and made it 11-10 with Ivan Krapic out on a third personal fault, before the Reds drew level again. But a goal by Dedovic 24 seconds from time resolved the issue.
In the second match, Marsascala Nutrition Empire won the Sportswriters Cup for the fourth time when defeating neighbours Marsa-xlokk Fischer 12-7.
Summaries
Neptunes 11
Sliema 12
(1-1, 5-3, 3-3, 1-3 – 0-1, 1-1)
Neptunes: A Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 1, L. Calleja, M. Stellini 1, T. Agius 1, I. Krapic 2, S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri 1, M. Castillo, P. Biros 1, B. Lanzon, S. Xerri de Caro, C. Mercieca.
Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta 1, K. Dowling 1, T. Sullivan, M. Meli 1, J. Soler 2, M. Spiteri Staines 1, C. Cluett, N. Bugelli 1, M. Bodegas 2, A. Attard 1, N. Dedovic 2, Z. Sciberras.
Referees: M. Dalli, M. Bianchi.
Marsascala 12
Marsaxlokk 7
(5-3, 3-1, 2-2, 2-1)
Marsascala: K. Schembri, J.C. Cutajar 2, M. Pace, C. Bonello 1, B. Torok, L. Grixti 2, K. Navarro, J. Cremona, S. Micallef 3, M. Pastor 4, D. Cassar, C. Mifsud, F. Buhagiar.
Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, C. Spiteri De Barro 2, M. Korolija 2, A. Galea 1, C. Gialanze 1, C. Bugeja, N. Portelli, I. Vuksanovic 1, A. Zarb Cousin, R. Scerri, M. Lanzon, J. Xerri de Caro, J. Cremona.
Referees: M. Angileri. F. Romolini
BOV KO draws
Premier, QFs: Sliema vs Neptunes (July 14, winners vs Sirens); Valletta vs Exiles (July 15, winners vs San Giljan).
Div. One: Otters vs Marsaxlokk (July 14); Marsascala vs Ta’ Xbiex (July 15).