With Valletta McDonalds only staying in the game until the initial stages, Neptunes Grimaldi’s power, experience and a better array of potential match winners told in the end as the Reds claimed a comfortable 14-6 win over the City team in yesterday’s Premier Division match.

It was a comprehensive success for the side which showed superior teamwork, earned more expulsions through their graft, especially that of centre Ivan Krapic, and transferred the ball in brisk fashion.

Another quality was a very sound rearguard in front of a safe Alan Borg Cole in goal.

Steve Camilleri headed his team’s scoring list with four goals followed by Peter Biros and Niki Lanzon, each scorer of a hat-trick.

But the Balluta team have other match winners, an element which did not quite emerge yesterday.

This makes the champions a feared side, never mind Zoran Mustur’s persistence to rotate his team around only nine units at the most.

Valletta may have started well but they floundered in the second session, after which they suffered a blow when Michael Rizzo was red-carded for passing repeated remarks.

Their two on five man-up success may have been acceptable under different circumstances, but Neptunes had a healthier seven on ten reading in this respect.

The issue was as good as over midway through, after which the Reds went on to widen the gap courtesy of a 5-1 last session scoreline.

Marsascala Nutrition Empire revived hopes of retaining the first division title when they inflicted the first defeat on leaders Ta’ Xbiex Amigos after edging them 13-12, a result which moves the southerners to nine points, three behind yesterday’s opponents.

Yet again this was another close contest, with the result hanging in the balance until a late brace from Clyde Bonello swayed the issue in his team’s favour.

For the winners, Jean Claude Cutajar and Bela Torok scored four each, with Mark Kallay replying for Ta’ Xbiex with as many strikes.

Summaries

Ta’ Xbiex 12
Marsascala 13

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

Ta’ Xbiex: J. Micallef, A. Maklari 3, A. Camenzuli, G. Attard 1, M. Kallay 4, E. Gravina, J. Galea, Mifsud, G. Debono 1, M. Zammit 1, A. Mifsud 1, L. Pace, K. Grima Scott 1.

Marsascala: K. Schembri, J.C. Cutajar 4, M. Pace, C. Bonello 2, B. Torok 4, L. Grixti, K. Navarro, J. Cremona 1, S. Micallef, M. Pasztor 2, D. Cassar, C. Mifsud, B. Muscat.

Referees: M. Angileri, M. Sponza.

Neptunes 14
Valletta 6

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

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 3, N. Farrugia, M. Stellini, T. Agius, I. Krapic 1, S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri 2, M. Castillo, P. Biros 3, B. Lanzon, S. Xerri de Caro, C. Mercieca 1.

Valletta: D. Camilleri, O. Zammit, M. Rizzo 2, K. Galea, A. Agius, R. Mock, G. Kiss 1, N. Bonello Ghio, M. Cordina 1, C. Zammit 1, D. Paolella, D. Filipovic 1, R. Sciortino.

Referees: M. Dalli, A. Pascucci.

Standings

Premier League

Division One

Playing today
First Division: 17.45 Otters Nivea vs Marsaxlokk Fisher.
Premier League: 19.00 San Ġiljan Allcare vs Sliema Frank Salt; 20.15 Exiles Ferretti vs Sirens Ritter Sport.