Convincing wins for Sliema, San Ġiljan and Neptunes

S. Giljan TUM Invest 12 Exiles Elia Caterers 7 (4-1), (2-2), (5-0), (1-4)

San Ġiljan are starting to get back their form as they easily swept aside Exiles Elia Caterers with an easy 12-7 win. Although the result might give a different perspective, San Ġiljan held the initiative and a dominating third session gave them a comfortable lead.

Dino Zammit was their chief scorer with four goals. Marko Orlovic should be satisfied with his team’s performance as they started with the right attitude from the start of the game.

At the middle of the second session they even were 6-1 until a brace by the top scorer of the game Timothy Sullivan kept Exiles in the game. But San Ġiljan removed any doubt where the game was heading, as they scored five consecutive goals from Andreas Galea, Matthew Zammit, Tristan Said and a brace by Dino Zammit.

It was only when Orlovic rotated more his team, that Exiles made the score more respectable as this game again showed that Exiles need to work harder as they were dominated in the two defeats.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, K. Magri, A. Galea (2), B. Grech, K. Dowling (1), M. Zammit (1), R. Caruana, C. Farrugia (1), T. Said (3), Da. Zammit, J. Bonavia, Di. Zammit (4), T. Micallef

Exiles: M. Castillo, C. von Brockdorf, A. Magri (1), T. Sullivan (5), S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech (1), K. Griscti, N. Paris, A. Cousin, B. Lanzon, S. Apap, M. Martin

Referees: Mario Dalli, Neville Mercieca

Sliema Frank Salt 14 Valletta Videoslots 8 (4-1), (4-2), (3-3), (3-2)

After the wins against Birżebbuġa and Neptunes, Sliema Frank Salt won the third game on the trot. They again fully deserved the win as Sliema were never in disadvantage and controlled the game. After almost everyone played three games, Sliema showed that are the better team at the moment while they have the larger squad.

On the other hand Valletta suffered their third consecutive defeat. Despite this fact, they showed signs of improvement from last year.

Sliema were already 4-1 in front by the end of the first session. Daniel Paolella responded to the goal by Michael Spiteri Staines in the second session, but three consecutive goals opened up a six-goal lead that was too much for the Citizens to react.

In the last two sessions, Sliema controlled the game with their rotated squad, while Valletta tried to keep the score intact.

Sliema: J. Sammut, J. Gabarretta (2), N. Saliba, J. Sciberras (2), M. Meli (1), B. Cachia (1), M. Spiteri Staines (3), G. Blundell, M. Cordina (3), D. Fenech, Z. Mizzi (1), N. Bugelli (1), Z. Sciberras

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines (2), A. Agius, P. Borg (1), C. Zammit, R. Mock, D. Paolella (1), M. Mifsud, N. Farrugia, M. Zammit (4), M. Lanzon, K. Galea, R. Bonnici

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Ste- fan Licari

Birzebbuga Freeport 6 Neptunes Leo Vegas 16 (1-4), (2-5), (1-5), (2-2)

This game was the most onesided from the three games. Neptunes Leo Vegas had no problems defeating the only first division side participating Birżebbuġa Freeport.

Another good performance for Jovan Popovic’s team, as despite boasting a lot of youngsters, they seem to be disciplined to the game plan of their coach. Although they lost against Sliema in their last game, youngsters like Jake Muscat and Nikolai Zammit amongst others, are gaining more playing time and showing their worth.

The win was never in doubt after gaining a three-goal cushion early in the game. Birżebbuġa only got close to their opponents with a three-goal difference, but Neptunes made sure of the win winning another three goals to finish the second session with a commanding 9-3 advantage.

Neptunes’ sharpness in front of goal continued in the subsequent sessions as they claimed an easy win.

Birżebbuġa: D. Spiteri, M. Borg, N. Cassar, D. Pace Lupi (2), C. Mifsud (2), R. Spiteri, S. Vassallo (1), D. Cutajar (1), Z. Farrugia Seychell, K. Ellul, L. Borg, J. Buhagiar, J. Cremona

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon (1), K. Erdogan (1), G. Pace (1), M. Martellacci, J. Farrugia, J. Muscat (6), J. Abela (3), N. Zammit (3), V. Ragone, M. Azzopardi (1), B. Busuttil

Referees: Alex De Raffaele, Richard Magri