Neptunes 12
Sirens 9
(2-3, 2-1, 2-2, 6-3)
Little was at stake beyond prestige and a runners-up spot in the table when Neptunes Vodafone and Sirens Centro Casalinga met in yesterday's top league match.
This was underlined by the meagre crowd at the National Pool who watched the proceedings passively. In fact, the exchanges were generally quiet even if at times cover was stringent and goals came regularly.
At the end of the day, Neptunes kept their nerves better to win this academic tussle with three goals to spare after they had traded the lead with Sirens several times during the match. However, the last minutes of the game proved decisive.
Sirens took their chances better in the opening session and their edge in shooting helped them take a 3-1 lead.
With Karl Galea again missing for Neptunes, the team's point of reference in the centre was changed constantly between Matthew Zammit and veteran John Paris, with the former being double marked throughout.
Sirens were guilty of three missed extra-man chances in the second quarter after they took a 4-2 lead. That profligacy allowed Neptunes to bounce back and level matters towards the end of the second session.
The Reds nosed ahead for the first time early in the third quarter, only to open a 6-4 advantage. But Sirens levelled matters with two quick goals. Conversions remained brisk in the coming as each side tried to up the tempo. Again Sirens went ahead on 7-6 but three successive goals from Neptunes, the last coming midway through the final session, gave the Balluta Bay team a two-goal lead for the second time in the game.
Sirens fought back to trim the leeway twice to 9-8 and 10-9, but two goals in the dying seconds gave victory to the Reds.
Already assured of their ninth Second Division title, and playing relaxed waterpolo, Exiles Elle et Vire disposed of Otters in yesterday's first match.
Coach Joe Caruana Dingli, in his debut at the technical helm of a club, took the opportunity of giving his fringe players a prolonged taste of the waters without risking of rocking his boat too much.
Neptunes: N. Gouder, A. Decker, M. Aleksic 2, J. Camilleri, E. Cachia, M. Zammit 1, J. Paris 1, I. Zanetic 3, D. Camilleri, N. Lanzon, R. Sciortino, M. Stellini 2, M. Pisani 3.
Sirens: F. Caprani, R. Mock, A. Galea, P. Privitera, R. Babay 3, P. Zimonjic 2, J. Borg 1, D. Cutajar, K. Montfort, R. Scerri, C. Mercieca 3, P. Borg, A. Grech.
Referees: D. De Meo, M. Angilleri.
Marsascala 5
Ta' Xbiex 4
(1-1, 2-0, 0-1, 2-2)
The other Division Two match, between Marsascala Ocean and Sky and Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise, although quite balanced for long stretches, failed to spark any enthusiasm, no doubt due to the dearth of goals and limited interest now that the title issue has been decided.
The outcome was a close victory for the southseasiders. The only flurry was generated in the last 27 seconds when Ta' Xbiex sensed that they could take a point after they had reduced the arrears to 5-4, 13 seconds earlier. But Marsascala held out for a deserved victory.
I. Bugeja, C. Gialanze, F. Valenti 1, A. Tringali 2, M. Borg Spiteri 2, L. Grixti, J. Licari, J. Cremona, S. Micallef, R. Cutajar, D. Cassar, M. Spiteri, S. Farrugia.
A. Bianchi, T. Debono, M. Manara, K. Engerer, W. Privitera, P. Paolella, R. Polacik, J. Tabone, C. Zammit 2, J. Surim 1, A. Tanti, D. Pisani 1.
Referees: I. Sciriha, A. Farrugia.
Exiles 14
Otters 5
(3-2, 3-1, 4-1, 4-1)
Exiles: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi, K. Rizzo Naudi, C. Enriquez, T. Sullivan 2, R. Blari 2, M. Rizzo 1, K. Grixti 1, A. Zarb Cousin 1, A. Cousin 5, S. Vassallo, A. Cachia, M. Calleja 2.
Otters: R. Grech, D. Saliba, G. Zammit, S. Scerri, B. Szabo 2, P. Szabo 1, K. Mizzi, J. Vella, J.P. Buttigieg, F. Bajada, T. Simon 2, T. Martin, E. Farrugia.
Referees: Miro Caruana, A. De Raffaele.
Next fixtures
Friday: Division Two 5.30 p.m. Exiles vs Ta' Xbiex. Division One 6.45 p.m. Sirens vs Sliema.
Saturday: Division Two 5.15 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Otters. Division One 6.30 p.m. San Giljan vs Neptunes.