Holders Neptunes Grimaldi were made to battle hard to proceed to the semi-finals of the BOV Premier Division knock-out when they faced Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate.

The 9-7 scoreline again reflected the balance there is between these two sides who engage in sporting battle as if their lives depend on the outcome of the day.

The Reds won but the Blues gave them a tough run for their spoils especially after Dejan Milakovic’s team had influential players John Soler fouled out on the stroke of half-time followed by Michael Bodegas’s exclusion with substitution for protesting midway in the third.

Sliema, who had fought back to level the score on 5-5 after Neptunes’ flying 4-1 start in the opening quarter, never gave up following those exclusions and also managed to take a 7-6 momentary lead thanks to Michael Spiteri Staines’ superb lobbed second goal.

But Neptunes regained the advantage before the third session ended with a goal each from Clint Mercieca and Michele Stellini, both of whom played a diligent game yesterday as did captain Niki Lanzon and Jordan Camilleri

It was a battle which started briskly for the Reds for whom a visibly not fully fit Peter Biros scored the first two of his three goals.

The Hungarian, however, was soon on two exclusions as was Ivan Krapic and the Reds’ limited resources, which had them revolving on just nine units, were stretched. On their part Sliema could rely on a more extensive bench and that was important given their exclusions handicap.

In the end Neptunes’ physical and mental resilience were telling factors as the impeccable Steve Camilleri rallied his team-mates and managed to convert a penalty late on to seal the match.

Summaries

Otters 11
Marsaxlokk 20

(3-5, 4-6, 4-4, 0-5)

Otters: R. Bonnici, M. Borg Millo, M. Paris 1, L. Gialanze, F. Kljajevic 2, E. Meli 4, G. Mizzi 1, S. Dimech, N. Paris 2, D. Borg Millo 1, D. Dimech, S. Aksentejevic, P. Theuma.

Marsaxlokk: J Cremona, C. Spiteri DeBarro 2, M. Korolija 4, A. Galea 3, C. Gialanze 1, C. Bugeja, N. Portelli 2, I. Vuksanovic 5, A. Zarb Cousin, R. Scerri, M. Lanzon 1, J. Xerri de Caro 2, A. Xuereb.

Referees: R. Spiteri, M. Angileri.

Sliema 7
Neptunes 9

(2-4, 3-2, 2-2, 0-1)

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta, K. Dowling, T. Sullivan, M. Meli, J. Soler, M. Spiteri Staines 2, N. Bugelli, J. Brownrigg, M. Bodegas 3, A. Attard, N. Dedovic 2, Z. Sciberras.

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

Referees: A. Zedda, G. Centineo.

Playing today
First Division cup SF: 18.15 Marsa-scala Nutrition Empire vs Ta’ Xbiex Amigos.
Premier League cup QF: 19.30 Valletta McDonald’s vs Exiles Ferretti.