Marsascala 10
Marsaxlokk 10
(3-1, 2-4, 4-3, 1-2)
Neptunes Vodafone's sound display when annihilating Sirens Centro Casalinga last weekend was expected to be followed by an easy victory over San Ġiljan Tropicana Juices in a match which was moved from today's programme.
And the Reds obliged with a thumping victory over their neighbours. They led 9-1 midway through the proceedings amid some casual play which spared their opponents an even bigger deficit. At this point, the Reds' efficient cover hardly gave the Saints a clear sight of goal even when they had an extra man.
Incidentally, readings on man-up sets were also poor for the champions, but that did not matter.
The imbalance between the sides was evident throughout and the champions only required some thumpings on the accelerator to keep their opponents at more than an arm's length while coach Sergio Afric utilized all his fringe players.
Although starting on a slow tempo, the Reds were good enough to procure a 5-0 cushion in the first session. By then, Afric started rotating most of his available men, with the absence of the indisposed centre Karl Galea hardly being felt as the champions also indulged in some over confident play.
Neptunes again found the scoring momentum late in the second session to open a 9-1 lead at the halfway mark.
With the game never igniting as a context, the easy-going texture of the proceedings made for a quiet evening in the pool.
In the third session Neptunes increased their advantage minimally before San Giljan also contrived to miss a penalty. The champions' superiority surfaced again in the last quarter which they won 6-2 for a final 16-3 scoreline.
The derby of the south between Marsascala Ocean and Sky and Marsaxlokk Freeport resulted in perfect equilibrium with both teams sharing 20 goals in a close contest.
Marsascala, a subdued outfit for most of the seasons, tried to lift their game, while neighbours Marsaxlokk did battle in the knowledge that they were the nearest challengers to Exiles for the Second Division honours.
Marsascala did the leading until almost midway through the third session when their opponents forged ahead for the first time.
With Fabio Valenti having an off day and Andrea Tringali making up for this it was cat and mouse as Marsaxlokk replied everytime Chris Sladden's team went ahead.
However, the final scoreline did the justice to the effort of both teams.
Today matches: U-19 4 p.m. Otters vs Exiles. Division Two 5.15 p.m. Ta' Xbiex vs Otters. Division One 6.30 p.m. Sliema vs Sirens.
Marsascala 10
Marsaxlokk 10
(3-1, 2-4, 4-3, 1-2)
Marsascala: S. Farrugia, C. Gialanze, M. Spiteri, A. Tringali 4, M. Borg Spiteri 2, L. Grixti 1, F. Valenti 1, J. Cremona 2, S. Micallef, R. Cutajar, D. Cassar, J.C. Cutajar, I. Bugeja.
Marsaxlokk: R. Bonnici, M. Buttigieg, G. Attard, A. Farrugia 1, K. Farrugia 2, C. Bugeja, D. Schembri 1, D.Vankevic 2, S. Frolov 2, K. Grima Scott, G. Ghirxi, M. Zammit 2, C. Sciortino.
Referees: P. Balzan, R. Spiteri.
Neptunes 16
San Ġiljan 3
(5-0, 4-1, 1-0, 6-2)
Neptunes: N. Gouder, A. Dekker 3, M. Aleksic 2, J. Camilleri, E. Cachia, M. Zammit 3, J. Paris, I. Zanetic 3, D. Camilleri, N. Lanzon 1, R. Sciortino, M. Stellini 2, M. Pisani 2.
San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri de Barro, R. Gospodinov, E. Arrigo, A. Bianchi, M. Pace, S. Gravina, V. Kretkovic, A. Borda, P. Fava, J. Xerri de Caro 2, K. Lanzon 1.
Referees: S. Pinato, A. de Raffaele.