This was a thumping victory for champions Neptunes Leo Vegas plotted by master strategist Zoran Maslovar, their coach from Montenegro.
Indeed, it turned out to be a no contest as the versatilty of the Reds and the ability of their units – they used ten yesterday – could in no way be matched by their opponents, Exiles JetFreight, who had given leaders San Giljan a hard match on when losing 11-8 last Sunday.
Their feeble challenge was compounded by the Reds slick display which had their components flitting into all positions and at the same time having the threat of Slobodan Nikic completely wiped out through astute double cover on the Serb.
The issued was settled two minutes into the second quarter as the Balluta team built a commanding six-goal advantage.
Exiles were in no shape to offer any challenge to opponents who gave little at the back.
Moreover, Steve Camilleri was in an irresistible vein, scoring six goals and, together with all the others, infusing the necessary drive in the engine room.
The French player, Romain Blary, a hard-working centre in the team, notched a fine poker of goals, with the others coming from Jeremy Abela and the improving Miguel Zammit, who netted two goals each, and Jordan Camilleri.
Exiles were in a completely submissive mood yesterday, given their opponents’ clear edge.
First division leaders, Marsaxlokk Fischer, kept up their winning streak with a 9-6 victory over Birżebbuġa in the day’s opening match.
The opening sessions proved decisive in terms of the result as the the team led by Roman Polacik built a 5-0 lead after which Birżebbuġa only managed to keep the leeway to a minimum.
The usual Ivan Vuksanovic netted the bulk of goals for the winners, with Karl galea striking a hat-trick. Matthew Caruana and Karl Rizzo Naudi each scored twice for Marco Risso’s team.
Marsaxlokk 9
Birzebbuga 6
(3-0, 2-1, 3-3, 1-2)
Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, C.D. Spiteri 1, L. Calleja, K. Galea 3, C. Gialanze, C. Bugeja, S. Meli 1, I. Vuksanovic 4, B. Buhagiar, R. Scerri, K. Lanzon, L. Gialanze, M. Cacici.
Birzebbugia: D. Abela, M. Manara, S. Mora, D. Lupi Pace, A. Camenzuli, A. Sammut 1, S. Vassallo, N. Cassar 1, G. Farrugia, M. Caruana 2, K. Rizzo Naudi 2, O. Zammit, D. Spiteri.
Referees: Peter Balzan, M. Luciani.
Neptunes 15
Exiles 5
(3-0, 7-2, 4-2, 1-1)
Neptunes: A. Cole Borg, N. Lanzon, T. Agius, K. Erdogan, R. Blary 4, S. Gravina, S. Camilleri 6, J. Camilleri 1, J. Abela 2, M. Zammit 2, N. Zammit, M. Azzopardi, I. Bugeja.
Exiles: M. Castillo, J. Rizzo Naudi, D. Millo Borg, M. Stellini, T. Sullivan, S. D.C. Xerri 2, N. Slobodan, K. Griscti 1, N. Paris 1, A. Bianchi, B. Lanzon, L. Felice 1, S. Pace Galea.
Referees: Alex DeRaffaelle, M. Luciani.
Playing today
Division One: 6.15pm Marsaskala vs Ta’ Xbiex.
Premier Division: 7.30pm Sliema vs Sirens; 8.45pm San Ġiljan vs Valletta.