Sliema 14
Sirens 9
(1-1, 4-2, 4-2 5-4)

Sliema McDonald's kept up their revival when having the better of Sirens Ritter Sport yesterday. They displayed their edge in skill in all facets of the game to register a comfortable 14-9 victory which keep them well in contention to retain the league title.

The Blues were undoubtedly a superior lot as they blocked better and were more accurate on the point of execution.

Sirens tried hard but could not match their opponents and despite some bold effort from them the Blues' advantage started widening in the third session and that helped them conserve their lead with Bogdan Rath, their top scorer on four goals, followed by Jonathan Valletta with a hat-trick.

Most of the exchanges in the first session were sterile as blocking proved to be effective. The outcome was a goal apiece with Paul Privitera scoring for Sirens and Valletta replying for the Blues.

Two goals from Michael Rizzo and Raymond Fodor put Sliema ahead before Chris Mercieca reduced the deficit to 3-2. Valletta hit a scorcher from nine metres with Rath adding another as the Blues' dominance started surfacing.

Jurgen Borg, who with Mercieca scored a hat-trick, gave Sirens some hope when making it 5-3 before ends were changed.

Clint Debono exploited Joseph Sammut's weakness on his left to drill in from 10 metres (6-3). Borg scored again but John Soler re-established his team's three-goal lead on 7-4.

Sliema's edge was more evident as they opened a four-goal advantage on 9-5. Their goals coming from Debono and Rath with Attila Baranyi scoring in between from a penalty shot.

The last session produced a spate of goals, five for Sliema and four for Sirens, with the goals coming from Rath (2), Valletta, Soler and John Brownrigg for the Blues and Mercieca (2), Borg and Marcz for Sirens.

Sliema had never been in danger of losing their grip on the game.

Sliema: J. Cachia, J. Gabaretta, N. Lubrano, R. Fodor 1, M. Meli, J. Soler 2, D.Paolella, J. Brownrigg 1, C. Debono 2, J. Valletta 3, M. Rizzo 1, B. Rath 4, R. Coleiro.

Sirens: J. Sammut, A. Baranji 1, A. Galea, P. Privitera 1, R. Xerri, R. Mock, J. Borg 3, D. Cutajar, A. Attard, C. Zammit, C. Mercieca 3, T. Marcz 1, J. Cremona.

Referees: P. Balzan, G. Lo Digo.

Ta' Xbiex 6
Exiles 9
(2-2, 1-1, 2-3, 1-3)

A hat-trick from Aurelien Cousin and a brace each from Reva Chomakhidze, Martin Calleja and Timmy Sullivan helped Exiles Jet Services make another step forward towards retaining the Second Division title when they shrugged off the stern challenge of Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise in the first match.

The team from Gżira were in the groove until the final 20 seconds when they only trailed their opponents by one goal, 7-6. However, conversions by Sullivan and Cousin put the issue beyond John Tabone's side.

Ta' Xbiex: A. Bianchi, S. Cachia, M. Manara, G. Desira Buttigieg, G. Lubrano, B. Szalma 1, K. Falzon, K. Engerer, J. Tabone 1, E. Aquilina 1, A. Tanti, D. Pisani, Y. Szeles 3.

Exiles: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi, K. Rizzo Naudi, D. Pace Lupi, T. Sullivan 2, R. Chomakhidze 2, K. Grixti, A. Zarb Cousin, A. Cousin, S. Vassallo, K. Enriquez, M. Calleja 2.

Referees: A. De Raffaele, I. Sciriha.

Programme

Today: Division Two - 5.15 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Otters. Division One - 6.30 p.m. San Ġiljan vs Neptunes.

Tuesday: Division Two - 6.30 p.m. Marsascala vs Ta' Xbiex.