Sliema 17
San Giljan 5
(3-1, 3-2, 6-1, 5-1)
Sliema McDonald's maintained a clean sheet and guaranteed they stayed top of the standings before the play-offs get underway in a fortnight's time when yesterday they cruised to an emphatic 17-5 victory over San Giljan.
The Blues' three-goal initial advantage looked to have been slightly dented when the Saints clipped the deficit momentarily. However, the Ghar id-Dud team took little time to re-establish their undoubted edge which was mostly evident through their better movement and sharper shooting.
While Matthew Zammit, for San Giljan, was literally played out of the game, seven-goal John Soler and company kept hammering in the goals against their dispirited opponents. They then ended the game putting in all their tail-enders in the water.
So far, Sliema's performances in this pre-season competition have mirrored their ascendancy over all other opponents. As for the Saints, this last turned out to be an anti-climax after their encouraging start to the Winter League.
Sliema: J. Cachia, C. Gialanze, E. Aquilina 3, J. Gabaretta, M. Meli 1, J. Soler 7, D. Paolella 2, J. Brownrigg, C. Debono 2, J. Valletta 2, J. Spiteri Staines, N. Lubrano, R. Coleiro.
San Giljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri de Barro 1, G. Ghirxi, M. Zammit 1, K. Grech, A. Bianchi, M. Pace 1, P. Fava 1, J. Xerri de Caro, K. Lanzon 1.
Referees: M. Dalli, M. Caruana.
Sirens 9
Exiles 8
(3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 1-2)
In a yo-yo second match Sirens Hard Rock Cafe and Exiles Pender Gardens remained locked in battle till the last seconds of this exciting encounter, which finally ended 9-8 in Sirens' favour and left them in with a chance to retain the winter title they won last year.
Despite taking a seemingly comfortable advantage, no fewer than three times, the Northerners found out that they could not shrug off their fighting opponents.
The final standings will pit together the first-placed and the fourth-placed teams with the runners-up playing the third on Saturday, May 17. Winners of both match will then play for the title while losers will play for third place.
Sirens: A. Grech, R. Attard, A. Galea, P. Privitera 1, E. Bonello, R. Mock 1, J. Borg 2, D. Cutajar 3, P. Borg, R. Scerri 1, T. Debono, C. Mercieca 1, J. Sammut.
Exiles: A. Borg Cole, S. Vassallo, K. Rizzo Naudi, D. Pace Lupi 2, T. Sullivan 2, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, M. Rizzo 2, K. Grixti, M. Galea, K. Enriquez, A. Arrigo, A. Zarb Cousin, M. Calleja 1, R. Bonnici, G. Galea.
Referees: A. DeRaffaele, M. Angilleri.