A stunning last session comeback by Sirens completely obliterated Neptunes Leo Vegas when the St Paul’s Bay side overturned a three-goal deficit early in the last part of the game to score a nap-hand of goals for an 8-6 victory yesterday.
It was looking good for the Balluta team who, after conceding two early goals, gradually recovered to take a 3-2 lead soon after ends were changed.
They then extended that advantage to 5-2 and 6-3 into the last quarter.
Suddenly, Sirens’ bold reaction coincided with the Reds’ mental and physical collapse as they were caught napping on the break time and time again.
Igor Martinovic, replacing the Reds’ suspended coach Zoran Maslovar, was left completely muted as Sirens’ brisker rotation of players earned their team deserved success.
Christian Cluett scored a late goal to hand Sliema Frank Salt an 8-7 victory over a gallant Valletta side who in the end were hard done by after running their opponents very close throughout the match.
Stephen Rizzo’s charges played a very diligent game marshalled by hat-trick hitter Boris Vapenski who was matched in terms of goals scored by Mark Fenech.
The Valletta foreigner’s opportunistic goals helped his team to a 3-2 lead by midpoint.
With Jerome Gabarretta excluded with substitution late in the second session and with Edward Aquiliana again unavailable, the Blues were made to fight to recover.
However, they did manage to take the lead midway in the penultimate session after which it was tit-for-tat as the teams alternated the lead until two-goal Cluett settled the issue with his decisive conversion.
After their setback against Marsascala, Marsaxlokk Fischer again found their winning groove when they beat Ta’ Xbiex Amigos 7-2.
The result rewarded the champions’ superior qualities largely evident in the efficient marshalling of Zjelko Kovacic who also scored a brace for the southerners.
Neptunes 6
Sirens 8
(1-2, 1-0, 3-1, 1-5)
Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N Lanzon, T. Agius, K. Erdogan, R. Blary 1, S. Gravina 1, S. Camilleri 2, J. Camileri 2, J Abela, M. Zammit, N. Zammit, M. Azzopardi, I. Bugeja.
Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti 1, J. Cutajar. M. Grech 1, I. Riolo 1, C. Mercieca 1, D. Cutajar 2, J. Napier, J. Brownrigg 2, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras, O. Gauci.
Sliema 8
Valletta 7
(1-3, 1-0, 3-2, 3-2)
Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta, B. Cachia, C. Cluett 2, G. Molina 2, K. Dowling, M. Spiteri Staines 1, L. Galea, J. Gambin, M. Meli, Z. Mizzi 1, N. Bugelli 2, Z Sciberras.
Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines, A. Agius, M. Rizzo, M. Fenech 3, R. Mock, D. Paolella, N. Bonello Ghio, M. Cordina, B. Vapenski 3, K. Galea 1, D. Fenech, F. Buhagiar.
Marsaxlokk 7
Ta’ Xbiex 2
(2-0, 3-0, 1-1, 1-1)
Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, C. Spiteri De Barro 1, L. Calleja 1, K. Galea 1, C. Gialanze, C. Bugeja, S. Meli 1, Z. Kovacic 2, B. Buhagiar, R. Scerri 1, M. Cacici, L. Gialnze, R. Bonnici.
Ta’ Xbiex: J. Micallef, B. Sziranyi, M. Ortoleva, K. Tanti, C. Farrugia 1, K. Mock, N. Saliba, E, Gravina, L. Saliba, M. Pace, R. Attard 1, M. Pullicino, L. Pace.