The start of the real contests had Neptunes and Marsascala producing a 15-goal thriller which, in the end, went the way of the former team.
Given that Dirk Dowling's side started as favourites, Marsascala did very well and perhaps could consider themselves unlucky to end up losers.
Although not quite at their best, the Reds held tactical sway a 2-1 first-session lead. However, Marsascala's initial erratic man-up sets only helped them net one out of four advantages.
In the second session, Neptunes' inadequacy turned to outright sloppiness against an improved Marsascala who managed to turn the scoreline to 4-3 in their favour.
Pierre Borg's tactics of providing cover for any possible Neptunes' break was getting the Reds in a tangle on set play besides rendering the Reds' main weapon blunt.
The Balluta Bay team were in trouble as Marsascala upped their game in the third session. Three goals apiece, after Marsascala led 5-3 and 6-4 at one time, left them in front 7-6 at the end of the third session.
Going for stringent man-to-man marking, Neptunes pressed the accelerator in the last quarter to go 8-7 ahead, but Marsascala never wavered and only a crucial missed man-up in the dying seconds denied them an equaliser.
Exiles scored their third victory against the less-quoted teams, this time beating Marsaxlokk. Marco Manara's zone block proved to be the adequate strategy which finally saw the capitulation of the south seasiders.
Marsaxlokk fought grimly but their press proved too costly however, both in terms of expulsions and goals conceded. Without the suspended Anton Privitera, they lacked the width and power when within shooting range.
Exiles exploited their speed and potting qualities despite having opponents right on their heels till the final quarter. But two goals in the latter part of that session, put Exiles' minds at rest.
Marsaxlokk Freeport 5
Exiles RMF 8
(1-2, 1-2, 2-2, 1-2)
Marsaxlokk: R. Bonnici, S. Cachia (1), R. Calleja, K. Incorvaja, N. Kerr, C. Bugeja (1), R. Cutajar (1), S. Cutajar, G. Ghirxi, K. Enriquez, D. Cassar (2), L. Cachia, M. Cutajar, M. Fava.
Exiles: A. Grech, M. Grima, M. Zarb, D. Pace Lupi (2), T. Sullivan, K. Camilleri, D. Sullivan, J. Cremona (2), J.J. Tabone (2), K. Rizzo Naudi (1), A. Arrigo, J. Vella, M. Calleja (1), J. Cuschieri.
Refs: I. Sciriha, M. Caruana.
Marsascala Breakers 7
Neptunes Vodafone 8
(1-2, 3-1, 3-3, 0-2)
Marsascala: I. Bugeja, C. Spiteri de Barro, T. Galea (2), P. Privitera, C. Gialanze (1), J. Xerri de Caro (1), J. Licari (1), L. Grixti, S. Micallef, C. Lanzon, P. Fava (1), M. Borg, D. Ciappara (1), S. Farrugia.
Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon (3), S. Camilleri, K. Galea, E. Cachia (1), J. Brownrigg, S. Gravina, C. Zammit, David Camilleri, M. Azzopardi, Dean Camilleri, M. Stellini (2), M. Pisani (2).
Refs: M. Angilleri, M. Dalli.