Neptunes Emirates did not have to sweat unduly to overcome Sirens Ritter Sport yesterday and the 17-5 scoreline underlined their ascendancy over opponents who showed clear deficiencies in the face of execution, especially on man-ups.

The outcome was an easy stroll for the Balluta Bay team who have now made practically sure of top position in their group.

Although contriving a slow start, the Reds took a three-goal lead in the opening quarter as they exploited the quick-silver finishing of Steve Camilleri, Vladimir Gojkovic and Tamas Molnar.

Neptunes’ edge was still evident in the next session especially with their ability to unmark themselves in the restricted five-metre area.

Molnar was the chief exponent here as was Camilleri, even if the latter was not in full overdrive mode.

An 8-3 lead was built by the time ends were changed. That advantage was extended to 12-4 by the end of the next eight-minute period as the champions, with most of their big men in the water, kept up the upperhand.

Neptunes still held a firm grip in the last session which they won 5-1 for a final comfortable victory with Camilleri again topping the scorers’ list.

In the first match, an initial and late spurt by San Ġiljan Giuseppe helped the Saints to a 15-10 victory over Marsascala meat.com which all but books them a place in the line-up to form the top division in the eventual play-offs.

Karl Izzo owes his team’s victory to Nikola Sutic, scorer of six goals, and Karl Galea who netted a hat-trick.

Marsascala could only live with their opponents in the middle sessions which they won 7-6.

Otherwise the result was a foregone conclusion.

A 5-1 buffer inside the first quarter gave an indication of things to come as Marsascala were outgunned. Eight goals were shared in the second session as the improved southseasiders refused to buckle.

Some of the goals netted by both teams were top-class executions with the scorers releasing themselves to tap or power in beautifully.

Marsascala maintained their fighting stance in the third quarter and managed to narrow the gap to 11-8 after pipping their erratic opponents by the odd goal in five.

Pierre Borg’s team were making a fight of it as Milos Koralji reached his hat-trick. With over five minutes left there were only three goals in it, but the Saints, once again, pulled the trigger to win comfortably.

Summaries

San Giljan 15
Marsascala 10
(5-1, 4-4, 2-3, 4-2)

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, J.C. Cutajar, N. Sutic 6, K. Galea 3, F. Trajkovic 2, K. Dowling, L. Grixti, A. Bianchi 2, M. Borg Spiteri, C. Gialanze, P. Fava 2, A. Galea, K. Schembri.

Marsascala: S. Farrugia, C. Spiteri de Barro 1, D. Caruana, Mil. Koralji 3, M. Pace, E. Arrigo, J. Licari 2, J. Cremona, S. Micallef, R. Scerri 2, D. Cassar, O. Zammit, Mih. Koralji 2.

Referees: M. Angilleri, P. Balzan.

Sirens 5
Neptunes 17
(0-3, 3-5, 1-4, 1-5)

Sirens: J. Sammut, A. Attard, P. Micallef, P. Borg, B. Nyeki 1, R. Mock, J. Borg, D. Cutajar, P. Zimonjic 2, C. Zammit 2, L. Caruana, D. Zammit, C. Mercieca.

Neptunes: I. Bugeja, N. Lanzon 2, E. Aquilina 1, M. Stellini 2, J. Camilleri 1, Z. Mizzi, S. Camilleri 5, V. Gojkovic 2, G. Pace, S. Gravina 1, R. Sciortino, T. Molnar 3, B. Lanzon.

Referees: R. Spiteri, A. DeRaffaele.

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