A clash between the two giants of the local game rarely fails to fill the air with excitement around the pool no matter how big an advantage a team may build initially.

Yesterday’s game between Neptunes Grimaldi and Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate lived up to this reputation as the closing stages were replete with heart-throbbing fare when the Blues recovered almost all lost ground.

Neptunes’ great start when taking a 5-0 lead seemed to have been a safe bet for them as they were after keeping their ground against neighbours and leaders San Ġiljan in their bid to extend their championship title for the sixth successive year.

Sliema, playing for their pride, were outplayed by their opponents’ solid teamwork and opportunism despite the Reds having some of their units displaying bluntness as far as shot efficiency was concerned.

Sliema fared worse in this respect and never had a sniff of goal until they struck through Michael Bodegas late in the second quarter after a full 15 minutes and 17 seconds.

However, they could not let their ego down and kept fighting. Two quick goals early after the changeover when they made it 5-3 helped their cause.

But Neptunes hit back through Ivan Krapic’s second goal for a 6-3 advantage into the last quarter.

Nevertheless, the Blues’ mo-mentum could not be halted.

They again reduced the deficit to 6-4 before Steve Camilleri, who again came out on top in his duels with Nikola Dedovic, wrapped up his hat-trick for a 7-4 advantage with five minutes left.

With Neptunes caught between going for more goals and playing safe, Sliema redoubled their efforts and scored through left-hander Mark Fenech.

The third goal from Bodegas which made it 7-6 was too late for the gallant Blues, whose last time-out with a few seconds left proved to be unproductive.

The teams’ readings on extra player set play was three from eight for Neptunes, with Sliema scoring twice from as many sets.

In the end, Neptunes managed to hold out by the skin of their teeth.

In the preceding match, just when it seemed that Exiles Ferretti’s more consistent play and better gameplan in the first three sessions would prevail, Valletta McDonald’s staged a remarkable recovery to win the last quarter 6-3 and the match 11-10 after they had trailed their opponents 7-5 into that last part of the game.

Exiles were well worth their lead after Kayne Lanzon had given them a flying start when scoring his team’s first three goals.

They twice led by three lengths before the City team wiped out that advantage. The opportunistic Karl Galea scored the winner 32 seconds from time.

Summaries

Valletta 11
Exiles 10

(2-4, 2-1, 1-2, 6-3)

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

Exiles: I. Bugeja, J. Rizzo Naudi, S. Vassallo, D. Pace Lupi, R. Blary 2, J. Spiteri Staines, S. Gravina, K. Grixti, D. Abela, A. Bianchi 2, M. Cuk 3, P. Paris, K. Lanzon 3.

Referees: M. Dalli, G. Nicolosi.

Neptunes 7
Sliema 6

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

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

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta 1, K. Dowling, T. Sullivan, M. Meli, J. Soler, M. Spiteri Staines, N. Bugelli, J. Brownrigg, M. Bodegas 3, A. Attard 1, N. Dedovic, M. Fenech 1.

Referees: M. Angileri, D. Bianchi.

Premier League

Next fixtures
Tomorrow: 18.15 Ta’ Xbiex vs Otters; 19.30 Marsascala vs Marsaxlokk.
Saturday: 18.15 Sirens vs Valletta; 19.30 San Giljan vs Neptunes.