Sirens 7
Sliema 16
(2-3, 0-6, 1-1, 4-6)

It was certainly not a wash-out league triumph for Sliema McDonald's this year. Their shaky start in the Preliminary Round when suffering two defeats on the trot was testimony to this.

Nevertheless, the bullish Blues, fully aware of their potential, went on an imperious run of six eventual victories which culminated in their 31st championship success when yesterday they thrashed Sirens Ritter Sport in easy fashion.

Indeed, their feat this year was made all the more sweet as they had to overcome this handicap of a false start. They knew that subsequent matches were all crunch ones and prepared for the battles ahead.

After lowering the colours of nearest challengers Neptunes Vodafone last week, yesterday the Blues were confident of picking the necessary spoils which would ensure them the title. Fear that they could succumb to tension never crossed their mind.

Thoroughbreds are of this ilk.

Sliema's numerous supporters who attended the day of anointment in colourful and vociferous throngs. were equally upbeat about their team's chances of hitting the jackpot. In fact, the Blues set about their job of mopping up all the spoils with conviction and full commitment. To the extend that in the opening two sessions they had already secured a comfortable 9-2 lead and with that enough assurance of a successful finale to their campaign.

As was the case in each of their last outings, Sliema were stronger to their opponents in all departments.

Their solid rearguard was almost impenetrable with Raymund Fodor doing the usual wiping job and his colleagues responding with zest to the Hungarian player's promptings.

Needless to say, Sliema's goal-per-shot ratio was far superior to that of Sirens. So were their slick movements, man-up scoring rates and timely swimming resulting in various openings.

All the rest is of relative importance. The outcome had long been sealed in Sliema's favour with Jonathan Valletta netting a naphand of goals followed by Bogdan Rath (three). The latter went off prematurely in the third session following three exclusions.

Jerome Gabaretta, Mark Meli and John Soler scored a brace each. The other goals came from Fodor and John Brownrigg.

Sirens' goals came from Attila Baranyi, who netted a hat-trick, and one each from Paul Privitera, Ryan Mock, David Cutajar and Tamas Marcz.

At the end of the match, Peter Perotti, BOV chief officer, in the presence of ASA president Austin Sammut, presented the trophy to Sliema captain Josie Cachia among the jubilation of the team's supporters who went on to celebrate the latest success along the routes to Ghar id-Dud and then till late in the evening at the club.

It was the first league triumph under the era of Sammut as head of ASA and a success which will, hopefully for the Blues, herald a new triumphant cycle in the history of Sliema ASC after the milestone of 30 league victories.

Sirens: J. Sammut, A. Baranyi 3, A. Galea, P. Privitera 1, R. Scerri, R. Mock 1, J. Borg, D. Cutajar 1, A. Attard, C. Zammit, D. Zammit, T. Marcz 1, C. Mercieca.

Sliema: J. Cachia, J. Gabaretta 2, N. Lubrano, R. Fodor 1, M. Meli 2, J. Soler 2, D. Paolella, J. Brownrigg 1, C. Debono, J. Valletta 5, M. Rizzo, B. Rath 3, R. Coleiro.

Referees: I. Sciriha, A. Pascucci.

Division One KO SFs draw

Wednesday: 7.15 p.m. Sirens vs Sliema.

Thursday: 7.15 p.m. Neptunes vs San Giljan.

Division Two KO SF

Marsaxlokk played an efficient game yesterday to surprise Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise and proceed to the final of the Division Two KO competition after beating their opponents 10-8.

The Southseasiders were full of vigour in the middle sessions and twice led with a five-goal margin to leave Ta' Xbiex with much to do in the last quarter of the game.

A partial comeback by Ta' Xbiex, which produced three goals, was not sufficient as Ian Azzopardi's team maintained an advantage of two goals. It was a deserved victory for Marsaxlokk who will now await their opponents in the final to be played on August 23.

Marsaxlokk 10
Ta' Xbiex 8
(2-2, 4-2, 3-1, 1-3)

Marsaxlokk: N. Xuereb, R. Calleja, A. Farrugia, A. Razzi, C. Bugeja 1, M. Bartolocci 4, E. Bonello 1, M. Buttigieg, K. Grima Scott, R. Attard 3, M. Zammit 1, E. Arrigo.

Ta' Xbiex: A. Bianchi, S. Cachia, M. Manara, K. Falzon, J.L. Lubrano, B. Szabo 2, P. Paolella, K. Engerer 3, J. Tabone, E. Aquilina, A. Tanti, D. Pisani, J. Szeles 3.

Referees: P. Balzan, M. Caruana.

Playing Today

Division Two KO preliminary round 5.15 p.m. Marsascala vs Otters. Division One 6.30 p.m. Neptunes vs San Giljan.

Champions (last 10 years)

2000 Sirens; 2001 Sliema; 2002 Sliema; 2003 Sliema; 2004 Sliema; 2005 Sirens; 2006 Neptunes; 2007 Neptunes; 2008 Sliema; 2009 Sliema.

Overall League Winners

Sliema - 31 times; Neptunes - 18; Valletta United - 11; San Giljan - 8; Sirens - 6; Marsascala - 1.