Exiles 11
Otters 1
(2-0, 3-0, 4-0, 2-1)

Exiles took little time to assert their authority on the proceedings and an 11-goal spree enabled them to see off Otters, a result which left Dirk Dowling's team at the top of the second division standings after the Preliminary Round matches were completed yesterday.

Sporting hostilities in the top and second division will now resume at the end of August after Malta's involvement in the European B Championships in Sweden.

The Gozitans held out for almost the whole of the first session, their press giving Exiles little opportunity to steady themselves for a pot at goal. However, Kayne Lanzon hit two late goals to put his side in front.

Press from both teams prevailed in the second quarter. Exiles kept profiting from their man-ups to increase their lead, Anthony Cachia, Jason Vella and Michael Grima scoring the goals for a 5-0 lead at the break.

Otters tried to keep their damage to a minimum but their failure to convert man-ups and their vulnerability when dealing with their opponents' breaks made them capitulate even further. Four more goals in the third quarter from Vella, Timmy Sullivan, Silvio Borg and Lanzon helped Exiles to extend their lead to 9-0.

After Sullivan had made it ten, in the last session, Paul Saliba broke the duck for Otters when he scored from an extra-man set. Sullivan emulated Lanzon when he scored his third goal, this time off a fine back-hand to seal his team's victory.

Exiles: D. Camilleri, M. Grima (1), A. Cachia (1), D. Pace Lupi, T. Sullivan (3), S. Grech, A. Sciberras, A. Bruno, K. Camilleri, S. Balzan, S. Borg (1), J. Vella (2), K. Lanzon (3).

Otters: R. Grech, J. Cefai, G. Zammit, S. Grech, J. Grech, C. Zammit, P. Saliba (1), K. Mizzi, K. Vella, D. Zammit, A. Tabone, M. Tabone, D. Saliba.

Refs: M. Ancilleri, A. DeRaffaele.