There were wins for Exiles Ferretti, San Ġiljan Giuseppe’s and Neptunes Emirates against Ta’ Xbiex Amigos, Sliema McDonald’s and Valletta Sterling respectively in yesterday’s matches.

Ta’ Xbiex were summarily dismissed by Exiles in the first match.

Their victory was a foregone conclusion with goals coming at regular intervals, enabling Aurelien Cousin to ring constant changes.

Despite an 8-7 defeat at the hands of a sprightly San Ġiljan, Sliema held on to top position in their group on goal difference and thus they earn the right to meet Neptunes for the pole position and five bonus points in the Premier Division.

The Saints play Sirens for third place while Exiles face Marsascala for the last spot in the top division.

San Ġiljan fought gallantly and were a better outfit in the first three sessions during which they built an 8-3 lead thanks to the opportunism of Nikola Sutic who netted a poker.

This advantage was trimmed down to 8-7 by the end of proceedings with Sliema trying desperately to save their faces. At the end of the day, Karl Izzo’s team were satisfied with their success and look forward to a brighter outlook once Matthew Zammit re-enters the fray after his two-year suspension for doping.

Neptunes swept past Valletta in an expected one-sided duel watched by very few spectators.

The match developed into a shooting practice for the winners who, not surprisingly, had their coach playing wholesale musical chairs after the team took a 10-0 advantage in the second session.

Ta’ Xbiex 9
Exiles 18
(1-3, 1-5, 3-5, 4-5)

Ta’ Xbiex: L. Borg, J. Cremona, T. Botond, K. Falzon, A. Galea, C. Bugeja, A. Bugeja 1, K. Galea 2, J. Tabone, C. Saliba, R. Attard, A. Zammit 1, J. Selesz 5.

Exiles: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, M. Paris 2, D. Pace Lupi 1, T. Sullivan, S. Vassallo 1, J. Spiteri Staines 3, K. Grixti 2, D. Borg 2, P. Borg 1, A. Kunac 2, M. Toth 3, S. Galea Pace.

Refs: R. Spiteri, P. Balzan.

San Ġiljan 8
Sliema 7
(3-1, 3-2, 2-2, 0-2)

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, G. Cutajar, N. Sutic 4, K. Galea 1, B. Plumpton, R. Mock, B. Letica, A. Bianchi 2, K. Mock, C. Gialanze 1, P. Fava, D. Abela, M. Pisani.

Sliema: I. Gergely, J. Gabaretta 2, P. Privitera, M. Meli, Lubrano 1, J. Soler 1, D. Paolella, J. Brownrigg 1, C. Debono 1, F. Salomon 1, M. Rizzo, M. Spiteri Staines, R. Coleiro.

Refs: I. Sciriha, M. Dalli.

Neptunes 21
Valletta 2
(8-0, 5-1, 4-0, 4-1)

Neptunes: I. Bugeja, G. Pace, E. Aquilina 2, M. Stellini 3, Z. Mizzi 2, A. Ciric 1, S. Camilleri 7, J. Camilleri 3, B. Lanzon, S. Gravina, R. Sciortino, C. Mercieca 3.

Valletta: E. Arrigo, S. Meli 1, R. Calleja, A. Galea, T. Agius 1, S. Cauchi, A. Galea, M. Cordina, J.C. Farrugia, D. Zoltan, A. Arrigo, A. Sammut, K. Hyzler.

Refs: A. De Raffaele, P. Giordano.

Group A

Group B