San Ġiljan 7
Sliema 15
(2-5, 2-3, 0-5, 3-2)
Given Sliema McDonald's remarkable momentum in the race for the 2008 championship title, this time sponsored by BOV, victory over San Giljan Tropicana Juices yesterday was only a rubber-stamping affair.
A five-point lead over outgoing champions Neptunes before today's outing was more than a comfortable buffer for Sliema and the 30th league title for them was definitely theirs once formalities were completed.
The Blues did not have to turn it fully on against the Saints as they did last Saturday when beating Neptunes. Nevertheless, they had Hungarian Otto Frikk in magnificent scoring mood when this player picked his spot no fewer than seven times. Otherwise, they had the proceedings under control as coach Igor Gochanin utilised all the players in his squad.
With Sliema pressing the accelerator almost at will, especially when they had a man extra, San Giljan could only hope for the least damage possible.
A 5-2 lead for the Blues in the first session indicated where the wind was blowing as the useful left-hander Frikk grabbed the opening three goals. After Sliema opened a four-goal advantage early in the second session, San Giljan netted twice to reduce the deficit to 6-4. But they failed to profit from three Sliema exclusions in succession and the Blues turned the heat to re-establish their four-goal lead on 8-4 at the half-way mark.
Sliema's 100 per cent success rate on their man-ups contrasted sharply with San Giljan's two-on-ten reading overall.
Silvio Borg's team even contrived to miss a penalty before Dean Camilleri allowed a John Soler shot to squirm over the imaginary line.
Sliema opened the throttle further to establish a re-assuring 13-4 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The last session was an easy-going affair, with most of Sliema's heavyweights on the bench.
Edward Aquilina got himself in his team's scorers' sheet as did Clint Debono. Mark Meli, Raymond Fodor and Soler (four goals), for Sliema, and San Ġiljan's Matthew Pace, Radu Gospodinov, Paul Fava and John Xerri de Caro had made their tiny mark earlier.
'Game over' said one Sliema banner, it could not have been more apt. Now, the new champions await anointment day in a fortnight's time.
Playing today
Division Two 4 p.m. Exiles vs Otters; 5.15 p.m. Marsascala vs Ta' Xbiex. Division One 6.30 p.m. Neptunes vs Sirens.
San Ġiljan D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri de Barro, R. Gospodinov 1, E. Arrigo, A. Bianchi, M. Pace 1, V. Kreckovic 2, A. Borda, P. Fava 1, J. Xerri de Caro 2.
Sliema J. Cachia, J. Gabaretta, E. Aquilina 1, R. Fodor 1, M. Meli 1, J. Soler 4, D. Paolella, J. Brownrigg, C. Debono 1, J. Valletta, J. Falzon, O. Frikk 7, R. Coleiro.
Referees A. DeRaffaele, D. De Meo.