After their tactically-blighted showing last Thursday when they collapsed to a heavy ten-goal defeat at the hands of an otherwise superb San Giljan, Neptunes Leo Vegas restored some sanity into their game when yesterday they dismissed Valletta 9-5.

Valletta had gained their first point of the season when holding Sirens to a 6-6 draw in their previous match.

The champions were propelled by birthday boy Stevie Camilleri who besides having to contend with the City team’s danger-man Boris Vapenski managed to find the opposing net four times.

On their part, Valletta only gave up their ghost in the latter sessions as the Reds could not release themselves from their shackles.

Howver, the Reds started to show their form late in the third quarter when the gap between the sides was extended to three goals and from then on, Neptunes moved on to victory.

As usual, the Balluta team rotated their man around nine units, with Jordan Camilleri hanging on two early dismissals.

However, Stephen Rizzo’s charges could not fend off the superior impetus of their opponents for whom Romain Blary and captain Niki Lanzon each scored a brace with the other coming from Stevie’s brother Jordan.

Michael Cordina struck twice for Valletta, with Vapenski, Ryan Mock and James Spiteri Staines  the team’s other goalscorers.

In the preceding Division One match, the improving Otters Nivea added the scalp of Marsascala Transcripta when they won 10-8 after repelling their opponents’ momentary comeback which brought them level on 7-7.

All this following three-goal advantages on three occasions earlier during this thrilling encounter.

However, in the last quarter Otters again discovered their earlier rhythm never mind the definite exclusion of the hard-working Gabriel Mizzi midway in the third session to collect the spoils.

Otters 10
Marsaskala 8

(3-0, 1-1, 3-6, 3-1)

Otters: J. Sammut, M. Borg Millo, A. Magri 1, L. Hyzler 2, E. Meli 2, D. Dimech, G. Mizzi, M. Jelaka 5, M. Paris, C. Zammit 1, M. Borg, C. Teuma, M. Xerri.

Marsaskala: B. Dougall, J. Cutajar 2, N. Farrugia 1, G. Buhagiar, A. Vlahovic 4, L. Grixti, K. Navarro, J. Busuttil, S. Micallef, M. Agius, D. Cassar, M. Cutajar 1.

Referees: P. Balzan, L. Barletta.

Neptunes 9
Valletta 5

(2-2, 1-0, 3­­-1, 3-2)

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, T. Agius, K. Erdogan, R. Blary 2, S. Gravina, S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri 1, J. Abela, M. Zammit, J. Culic, M. Azzopardi, I. Bugeja.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines 1, A. Agius 1, M. Rizzo, M. Fenech, R. Mock 1, D. Paolella, N. Bonello Ghio, M. Cordina 2, B. Vapenski 1, K. Galea, A. Mifsud, F. Buhagiar.

Referees: M. Dalli, S. Alfi.

Playing today
First Division: 5.30pm Birżebbuġa vs Ta’ Xbiex.
Premier Division: 6.45pm San Ġiljan vs Sliema; 8pm Exiles vs Sirens.

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