Neptunes Vodafone 5
(0-1, 3-2, 1-2, 1-2)
Sliema Burger King 7

As is often the case, Sliema summoned their mental and physical qualities to register a 7-5 victory over leaders and hitherto unbeaten Neptunes, a result which brought them on a parity with their sporting rivals and very much in contention to retain the league title.

It was another thrilling contest which had the biggest turnout so far this season on edge throughout. The result did justice to the team with the better mental attitude and the more forceful fighting qualities.

Neptunes would have to point an accusing finger to themselves primarily for not infusing enough killer touch in their game and also for missing out on too many man-up chances (three on eight) at crucial moments plus a missed penalty.

They also contrived to give away a couple of soft goals and the Blues, not in any indulgent mood, cashed in on that.

Edward Aquilina, eventually scorer of a hat-trick, lobbed in to give Sliema a first-session lead. Both teams were finding it hard to penetrate the respective zones with distant and hurried shots being the last resort for an attempt to score.

Neptunes drew dividends in the second session with Steve Camilleri equalising.

Shortly afterwards Charlie Zammit converted his team's third man-up to put Neptunes 2-1 ahead. However, John Paris soon levelled matters and Aquilina regained the lead for his team when he scored from a man-up situation.

David Camilleri made it three-all before ends were changed.

At this point, fare was very balanced and in keeping with the expectation of the large crowd. No quarter was given with muscle mingling with skill and defensive locking more often than not running out tops against attacking ploys.

Neptunes started missing too many man-ups with Sliema, by contrast, having a positive run when scoring four consecutive goals in similar sets.

John Soler put the champions 4-3 up followed by a missed penalty by Niki Lanzon. Edward Cachia, from the no.3 position, equalised only for Aquilina to regain the lead for his team before the last session started.

Play remained balanced with Sliema missing two important man-ups. Clint Debono surprised Nicky Gouder with a shot from nine metres with four minutes to go, after which Neptunes again frittered extra-man opportunities.

Lanzon netted with over three minutes to go to give Neptunes some hope - 6-5.

But the Blues drew in on their grit and nerves to keep their opponents at bay with some calm play before Soler made it 7-5 with over a minute to go.

That was it for the Blues with Neptunes rueing their missed chances and elementary mistakes in defence.

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon (1), S. Camilleri (1), K. Galea, E. Cachia (1), J. Brownrigg, S. Gravina, C. Zammit (1), David Camilleri (1), M. Azzopardi, Dean Camilleri, M. Stellini, M. Pisani.

Sliema: J. Cachia, J. Falzon, E. Aquilina (3), M. Galea Pace, M. Meli, J. Soler (2), J. Paris (1), K. Engerer, C. Debono (1), F. Cutajar, R. Coleiro, I. Muscat, A. Bianchi.

Refs: M. Dalli, R. Vitello.

Division Two

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

Otters: R. Grech, D. Saliba, C. Zammit, S. Grech (2), J. Grech, P. Saliba, K. Mizzi, V. Fenech, A. Tabone, S. Scicluna, M. Tabone, J.P. Buttigieg, P. Dimech, M. Vella.

Exiles: A. Grech, M. Grima, M. Zarb, D. Pace Lupi (4), T. Sullivan (4), K. Camilleri, D. Sullivan, J. Cremona (1), J.J. Tabone, K. Rizzo Naudi, A. Arrigo (1), J. Vella (1), M. Calleja, J. Cuschieri.

Refs: M. Caruana, M. Ancilleri.

Valletta Fortina SPA 3
(1-2, 0-1, 1-1, 1-3)
Marsaxlokk Freeport 7

Valletta: E. Arrigo, G. Sammut (1), Mauro Camilleri (1), Marco Camilleri, D. Degiorgio (1), W. Privitera, A. Galea, J.K. Farrugia, D. Shaw, C. Saliba, K. Bruno, A. Arrigo, P. Bonnici.

Marsaxlokk: R. Bonnici, S. Cachia, R. Calleja, K. Incorvaja, N. Kerr (1), C. Bugeja, R. Cutajar (4), S. Cutajar (1), G. Ghirxi, K. Enriquez, D. Cassar (1), L. Cachia, A. Privitera, M. Cutajar.

Refs: A. DeRaffaele, P. Balzan.