Exiles stay four points above Sirens

SIRENS GREENTUBE 8 EXILES ELIA CATERERS 8 (2-1), (2-2), (2-2), (2-3)

A late goal by Aurelien Cousin gave Exiles Elia Caterers a precious point against Sirens Greentube, assuring his team of staying four points ahead and unbeaten from two games against their opponents.

A balanced affair between two teams and the result could have gone either way.

Slobodan Nikic was marked tight but this tactic gave space to his team mates as seven Exiles players were on the score sheet.

Exiles had to recover from an early setback as Edward Aquilina scored twice to give Sirens a 2-0 lead. Nicky Paris pulled one back in the first session.

Sirens went twice two goals in front in the second session, but Mark Fenech and Kurt Griscti responded in both occasions to keep the teams within a touching distance.

Exiles improved during the second session, and kept their rhythm after the break.

They even took the lead for the first time thanks to two goals by Benji Lanzon and Serbian Slobodan Nikic, but a double by Isaiah Riolo from the right side, kept Sirens 6-5 ahead.

The deciding session stayed intense and Sirens looked to stay one step ahead.

Bicari made it 7-6 after Timmy Sullivan equalised partially, but the number five of Exiles equalised again. Paul Privitera seemed to have scored the winning goal with a brilliant shot, but Aurelien Cousin made it 8-8 with another fine shot on his right corner.

N. Grixti, P. Privitera (1), E. Aquilina (2), N. Bicari (2), M. Grech, I. Riolo (3), C. Mercieca, J. Sciberras, J. Napier, J. Ciantar, L. Caruana, G. Galea Curmi

M. Castillo, M. Fenech (1), A. Bianchi, M. Stellini, T. Sullivan (2), S. Xerri de Caro, S. Nikic (1), K. Griscti (1), N. Paris J. Brownrigg, (1), A. Cousin (1), B. Lanzon (1), P. Paris, G. Ciappara

Alex de Adrian Aleksandrescu Raffaele, Otters: Referees: Balzan

Standings Premier Division

San Ġiljan Neptunes Sliema Exiles Sirens Valletta P W 6 5 6 4 6 4 7 2 7 1 6 0 D 1 1 1 2 1 0 L F 0 73 1 79 1 70 3 72 5 53 6 33

P W D L F Birżebbuġa 5 5 0 0 52 Marsaxlokk 5 3 0 2 58 Ta’ Xbiex 6 3 0 3 65 Marsaskala 5 2 0 3 47 Otters 5005 43 A Pts 49 16 55 13 46 13 78 8 72 4 80 0

Division I

A Pts 40 15 48 9 60 9 47 6 70 0