Stevie Camilleri’s hat-trick paves the way to an important win for Neptunes

NEPTUNES LEO VEGAS SLIEMA FRANK SALT (2-2), (1-3), (5-1), (2-0) 10 6

A hat-trick by Stevie Camilleri in the beginning of the third session proved to be decisive as Neptunes Leo Vegas defeated Sliema Frank Salt 10-6 to finish the second round on top and therefore head directly to the play-offs semi-final.

Sliema failed to react after going 6-5 down and only reduced the margin once in two sessions. Credit goes to the defence of Neptunes alongside goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole. Sergio Afric’s team couldn’t keep up their explosive first two sessions as they looked aggressive and determined.

Sliema responded on two different occasions after Stevie Camilleri and Petar Muslim gave Neptunes twice the lead. Nicholas Bugelli and Hungarian Norbert Hoznyansky scored for Sliema. Darko Brguljan put Neptunes again in front until a bold reaction by Sliema resulted in three splendid goals in less than three minutes. Gavril Subotic, Jerome Gabarretta and Hoznyansky scored as at that time Sliema looked that they can give Neptunes a tough ride.

Fortunately for Neptunes the break gave them some breathing space and Stevie Camilleri turned the course of the game with three goals in less than two minutes to give his team a 6-5 lead.

The third goal showed his class scoring from an unusual position in the centre. Brguljan scored from man-up and after Jamie Gambin scored from a central position, Brguljan kept the two-goal cushion again from man-up.

Sliema were still in the game but lacked the necessary to flair to keep their hopes up. The goal by Petar Muslim in the middle of the last session practically ended the game as Nikolai Zammit sealed the win for another important win for Neptunes.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim (2), D. Brguljan (3), S. Camilleri (4), J. Camilleri, J. Abela, N. Zammit (1), J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta (1), G. Subotic (1), J. Sciberras, M. Meli, N. Hoznyansky, M. Spiteri Staines, L. Galea, B. Cachia, J. Gambin, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli, M. Vassallo, K. Borg, J. Cachia

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Domenico Rotondano Neptunes Sliema Sirens

San Ġiljan Marsaxlokk Exiles Birżebbuġa Marsaskala Valletta Otters

Ta’ Xbiex

P10 10 9 9 9 9

P7 8 7 8 8

Neptunes Leo Vegas' Darko Brguljan (R) from Montenegro has been playing a key role for his team this season

Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate's Hungarian Norbert Hosnyanszky