Neptunes end first phase on top
Neptunes made sure of keeping their top placing at the end of the first phase of play, with a workmanlike victory over a Valletta outfit, who started on the wrong foot, and went fully seven goals behind, before they began their long haul back, which gave them a much better, and more respectable score, at the end. Steve Camilleri was engaged in a fascinating duel with Valletta's Dmitri Kholod, as both players very nearly neutralised each other out of the match.
As it was, it fell on Cosmin Radu's broad shoulders, to lead the Neptunes' pack, as they went out with bared fangs, at the start. Midway through the second session they had already left the Citizens behind, without any reply from Valletta, but then things took a more normal outlook, as the Citizens clawed their way back, after the interval.
Neptunes still maintained their necessary advantage, although Valletta were menacing in the last quarter, but a brace of Neptunes' goals assured their victory. Valletta missed their opening two man ups, but then converted their next four. Neptunes scored in two of their four man ups.
Neptunes romped into a four goal advantage in the first period of play, with a hat trick from Radu and another by Timmy Agius. Three more Neptunes' goals followed in the next session, from a Steve Camilleri penalty, Radu again and Jordan Camilleri. Valletta finally broke their duck, with strikes by Michael Spiteri Staines and Kholod, for a 7-2 Neptunes lead at the interval.
After the break Miguel Zammit, who had a major share in the match, due to Jeremy Abela's absence from the water, wit a sore throat, scored a couple of goals, as Neptunes extended their advantage. Valletta came back with four goals, by Michael and James Spiteri Staines, and Charles Zammit and Ryan Mock, but in between Jordan Camilleri notched a brace of goals for Neptunes, who were 11-6 in front, at the start of the last session. Zammit again scored for Neptunes, but the Citizens made their presence felt more, as they crept back strongly, with Daniel Paolella, Michael Spiteri Staines and Michael Cordina strikes. Neptunes countered with Steve Camilleri and Radu goals, in a short space of time, to assure themselves of victory. Valletta's Michael Spiteri Staines and neptunes' Agius completed the scoring in this encounter.
Valletta: R. Sciortino , J. Spiteri Staines 1, A. Agius, M. Rizzo, D. Spiteri, R. Mock 1, D. Paolella 1, N. Bonello Ghio, M. Cordina 1, C. Zammit 1, D. Kholod 1, A. Zarb Cousin, M. Spiteri Staines 4
Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, C. Radu 5, M. Cutajar , T. Agius 2, M. Lanzon, S. Camilleri 2, J. Camilleri 3, J. Abela, M. Zammit 3, B. Lanzon, M. Azzopardi, M. Castillo Referees: P. Balzan, G. Ibba Saints' victory in last match of first phase
Exiles Jetfreight 7 San Giljan Sal. Resort 13 (3-4, 2-3, 1-3, 1-3)
The champions had to get back to their one point deficit in the league table, in this last match of the first phase of play. They encountered some difficulty at the start, with Exiles proving to be a nuisance, as they stayed close to their opponents till the interval. San Giljan then managed to ease away after the break, and opened up their advantage, to amble through this match, as the twin prongs of Boris Vapenski and skipper, Matthew Zammit, blasted in nine goals between them, to subdue their adversaries. Exiles had Sean Gravina suspended from their last match, his place taken by Luca Felice. Darren Zammit was back for the champions. Man up wise, exiles scored in two out of their five occasions. San Giljan fared quite well, converting five from seven.
Milos Vukicevic opened the scoring for Exiles, who then fell behind to Peter Borg and a Boris
Vapenski penalty. The score was overturned once more, as exiles netted through Andrea Bianchi and Kurt Grixti. The champions gained another advantage, this time with Matthew Zammit and Andreas Galea strikes.
In the second session a brace of Matthew Zammit specials had San Giljan on a better advantage, but Vukicevic pulled a goal back for Exiles. Zammit again scored for the Saints, with Nicky Paris netting for exiles, before the interval, with San Giljan on a double advantage, at 7-5.
After the break Grixti had Exiles just a goal behind, but then San Giljan extended their lead, as Ben Plaumpton and another two Vapenski penalties, took the Saints to a 10-6 lead, going into the last period. The game was then definitely won for the champions, as Aurelien Cousin and Vapenski scored for San Giljan. Vukicevic obtaines his hat trick for exiles, with Vapenski crowning a good performance, with his fifth personal strike in the match, as the saints now prepare to defend their league title won last season, in the forthcoming Championship Pool matches, after the BOV Premier prelimiunary K.O. games will be played at the weekend.
Exiles: I. Bugeja, J. Rizzo Naudi, S. Vassallo, D. Pace Lupi, D. Borg Millo, E. Gravina, L. Felice, K. Grixti 2, N. Paris 1, A. Bianchi 1, G. Ciappara, M. Vukicevic 3, K. Lanzon
S. Giljan: J. Sammut, P. Borg 1, A. Galea 1, B. Vapenski 5, D. Zammit, M. Zammit 4, K. Galea, C. Mercieca, B. Plumpton 1, A. Cousin 1, P. Fava, D. Zammit , D. Camilleri Referees: M. Angileri, A. Barletta