After going very close to defeating Sliema and at least depriving leaders San Ġiljan of maximum points in the first round, Sirens Ritter Sport found the right groove yesterday when they defeated Valletta MacDonalds as comprehensively as the 14-7 scoreline suggested.

At the beck and call of this victory, which now puts the northerners on seven points, was the Italian Christian Presciutti, scorer of six goals.

However, Bogdan Rath’s team proved to be a more efficient unit both in the attacking and defending phases, with their teamwork being clearly superior.

Their more extensive bench, especially after Valletta’s Michael Cordina was excluded with substitution seconds into the third session, a stronger rearguard in front of the valid goalkeeper Nicholas Grixti and a better extra man scoring ratio, besides the rejuvenated Edward Aquilina’s brisk start when he converted three important numerical advantages, also provided a base for Sirens’ success.

Valletta, without Daniel Paolella, were blunt even if their goals came from six different players (as were those of Sirens), with Ryan Mock being their only player to score twice.

Their defenders, including goalkeeper Dean Camilleri, were caught napping time and again on quick shots from the left off accurate cross-passes.

Although the City team were in the game until midway in the third session Presciutti’s opportunism on good assists from his colleagues eventually dissolved any hopes they may have had of picking any spoils.

In the end Sirens more than avenged their first round 12-11 defeat at the hands of their opponents.

Sirens 14
Valletta 7

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

Sirens: N. Grixti, Z. Mizzi, C. Presciutti 6, G. Pace 1, M. Grech 2, C. Kiss 1, M. Caruana, D. Cutajar 1, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 3, L. Caruana, A. Sammut, J. Sciberras.

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

Referees: M. Dalli, M. Calabro.

Premier League

Playing today
Premier League: 18.15 Exiles Ferretti vs Sliema Frank Salt; 19.30 San Ġiljan Allcare vs Neptunes Grimaldi.