As a result of Marsaxlokk Fischer’s 16-14 win over Marsascala Nutrition Empire yesterday, the destination of the First Division title (and an eventual promotion/relegation play-off for the winners against Premier Division bottom team Exiles Ferretti) will be known when the south seasiders meet again on Saturday – a match played in lieu of the knock-out final between the two sides.

It was a victory which put Marsaxlokk joint leaders on 25 points and a chance to wrest the title from Marsascala.

Ian Azzopardi’s team conducted the score throughout after initially going a goal behind.

Their better organisation, nourished by the free-scoring tandem of Milos Korolija and Ivan Vuksanovic (they each netted six goals), put them on velvet with Marsascala constantly trying to cut the leeway which in the last two sessions was stretched to four goals no fewer than five times.

The match hinged mostly on the ability of the teams’ two foreigners, with Matyas Pasztor (five goals) and Bela Torok (three) for Marsa-scala unable in the end to match the striking skills of their opponents’ duo.

At the end of the day, the team with superior drive and determination emerged victorious.

In the previous match from the same First Division champion-ship, a six-goal spree in the third session enabled Ta’ Xbiex Amigos to open a decisive 13-8 lead into the last quarter, after both teams shared 14 goals in the initial sessions, only to freewheel casually in the last part of the game and allow their opponents to close the gap.

Otters 13
Ta’ Xbiex 15

(3-3, 4-4, 1-6, 5-2)

Otters: R. Bonnici, M. Borg Millo, M. Paris 1, L. Gialanze, K. Kljajevic 4, E Meli 1, K. Scicluna, G. Mizzi 1, N. Paris, D. Borg Millo 2, C. Theuma, S. Aksentijevic 4, M. Xerri.

Ta’ Xbiex: J. Micallef, A. Maklari 4, A. Camenzuli, G. Attard, M. Kallay 2, K. Mock 2, J. Galea, M. Camilleri, G. Debono 1, L. Pace, A. Mifsud 5, K. Debattista, E. Gravina 1.

Referees: P. Giordano and M. Ruscica.

Marsaxlokk 16
Marsascala 14

(5-3, 1-1, 7-6, 3-4)

Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, C. Spiteri De Barro 2, M. Korolija 6, A. Galea, C. Gialanze 1, C. Bugeja, N. Portelli, I. Vuksanovic 6, R. Scerri, M. Lanzon, J. Xerri de Caro 1, J. Cremona.

Marsascala: K. Schembri, J.C. Cutajar 2, B. Dougall, C. Bonello 3, B. Torok 3, L. Grixti, K. Navarro, J. Cremona, S. Micallef, M. Pasztor 5, D. Cassar 1, C. Mifsud, M. Pace.

Referees: M. Angileri and R. Colombo.

First Division