This was another routine win for Neptunes Grimaldi over Exiles Ferretti, identical to their first round success over the same opponents as far as the scoreline was concerned.

After a grinding start which saw them go momentarily 3-1 behind, the Reds went about their business of seeing off Maurizio Mirarchi’s team in nonchalant manner, with their firepower wreaking havoc in their opponents’ rearguard.

Only that this time Dorian Pisani, leading the team from the bench in lieu of the suspended Zoran Mustur, made fuller use of his available units, including goalkeeper Matthew Castillo.

Exiles, who had fared quite well when going down narrowly to Sliema in the previous match, were made to face reality after their encouraging kick-start.

The champions revved up their scoring machine with the Camilleri siblings, Steve and Jordan, and Peter Biros helping themselves to four goals each followed by Ivan Krapic, Niki Lanzon and Michele Stellini with three, two and one respectively.

Victory was never in doubt as from the second quarter as Neptunes moved up a gear displaying power and precision, qualities which could never be matched by Exiles for whom ace scorer Marco Cuk was completely subdued by Neptunes’ brisk shifting of positions in the covering phase.

In yesterday match from Division One, Marsascala Nutrition Empire kept their hopes of retaining the title when they beat Marsa-xlokk Fischer 14-9, thus making the second place in the standings their own, three points behind Ta’ Xbiex.

It was a close contest most of the way but a last-session spurt by Marsascala earned Pierre Borg’s team a clear-cut victory.

Summaries

Neptunes 18
Exiles 8

(4-3, 5-2, 4-0, 5-3)

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

Exiles: I. Bugeja, J. Rizzo Naudi, S. Vassallo 1, D. Pace Lupi, R. Blary 2, J. Spiteri Staines, S. Gravina 1, K. Grixti, D. Abela, A. Bianchi 1, M. Cuk 1, P. Paris, K. Lanzon 2.

Referees: R. Spiteri and B.D’Alessio.

Marsaxlokk 9
Marsascala 14

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

Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, C. Spiteri De Barro 1, M. Korolija 3, A. Galea, C. Gialanze, C. Bugeja 1, N. Portelli, I. Vuksanovic 3, A. Zarb Cousin, R. Scerri, M. Lanzon 1, J. Xerri de Caro, J. Cremona.

Marsascala: K. Schembri, J.C. Cutajar 3, M. Pace 3, C. Bonello 2, B. Torok 1, L. Grixti, K. Navarro, J. Cremona 1, S. Micallef, M. Pasztor 4, D. Cassar, C. Mifsud, B. Muscat.

Referees: M. Angileri, G. Fusco.

Playing today
BOV Premier League: 10.00 Valletta McDonald’s vs San Ġiljan Crystal Finance.

Premier League

  P W D L F A Pts
Neptunes 7 6 0 1 87 54 18
San Giljan 6 5 0 1 66 49 15
Sliema 7 3 1 3 86 75 10
Sirens 7 3 1 3 79 70 10
Valletta 6 2 0 4 54 80 6
Exiles 7 0 0 7 58 102 0

Division One

  P W D L F A Pts
Ta’ Xbiex 6 5 0 1 77 65 15
Marsascala 6 4 0 2 81 68 12
Marsaxlokk 6 3 0 3 85 69 9
Otters 6 0 0 6 53 94 0

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