The first matches of the fourth round from the BOV First Division league yesterday had leaders Marsascala Nutrition Empire registering a 19-7 victory over Otters Nivea and Marsaxlokk Fischer reaching the 20-goal mark when defeating Ta’ Xbiex Amigos 20-7.

These results extended Marsa-scala’s lead to three points ahead of second-placed Marsaxlokk. Ta’ Xbiex are now in third place with Otters still lying at the bottom of the table without points.

In the first match, Marsascala, helped by their Hungarian tandem Matyas Pasztor (six goals) and Bela Torok (five), went into overdrive from the second session onwards as the Gozitans’ resistance waned.

Likewise Ta’ Xbiex who collap-sed after keeping abreast on 4-4 with their opponents in the opening session.

The scoring rate of Ivan Vuksanovic, who netted six goals, did most of the damage, with Milos Korolija and Ranier Scerri each hitting the target four times.

Marsascala 19
Otters 7

(4-3, 5-0, 4-2, 6-2)

Marsascala: K. Schembri, J.C. Cutajar. B. Dougall, C. Bonello 1, B. Torok 5, L. Grixti 2, K. Navarro 2, J. Cremona 2, S. Micallef, M. Pasztor 6, D. Cassar, C. Mifsud 1, M. Pace.

Otters: R. Bonnici, M. Borg Millo, M. Paris 1, L. Gialanze, F. Kljajevic, E. Meli, K. Scicluna, G. Mizzi, N. Paris 2, D. Borg Millo, C. Theuma, S. Aksentijevic 4, M. Xerri.

Referees: R. Magri and M. Minelli.

Marsaxlokk 20
Ta’ Xbiex 7

(4-4, 7-1, 4-0, 5-2)

Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, C. Spiteri DeBarro 2, M. Korolija 4, A. Galea, C. Gialanze 1, C. Bugeja 3, N. Portelli, I. Vuksanovic 6, R. Scerri 4, M. Lanzon, J. Xerri de Caro, J. Cremona.

Ta’ Xbiex: J. Micallef, A. Maklari 1, A. Camenzuli 1, G. Attard, M. Kallay 1, K. Mock, E. Gravina 1, K. Debattista 1, G. Debono, L. Pace, L. Galea 1, J. Gauci, K. Grima Scott 1.

Referees: M. Angileri and M. Luciani.

First Division