Sirens beat Sliema to claim third place

Waterpolo

Sliema Frank Salt 7 Sirens Green Tube 11 (1-1), (2-2), (3-3), (1-5)

A resilient Sirens side was the key factor in an emphatic win for Sergio Afric’s men, as they defeated Sliema Frank Salt 11-7 with a brilliant last session to finish in third place for the first time in nine seasons. A result that showed the progress made by Sirens in the last years, and this position needs to serve as a stepping stone for Sirens to fight for honours in the future.

Sliema closed a tough league campaign in the worst mode as they again failed to challenge for the title. The problems in Sliema’s team were again evident, as they lacked concentration and at important times in the game they weren’t working as a team enough. Now, Sliema have to group themselves if they don’t won to be humiliated by San Ġiljan next week in the knock-out finali.

The game kept going back and forth till the beginning of the third session, as Sliema went in front four times, but in every occasion, Sirens responded from Clint Mercieca, Christian Presciutti and a brace by David Cutajar respectively.

Sliema managed to take a two-goal from Zach Mizzi and Jamie Gambin and things seemed to be going their way as Sirens missed also a great opportunity in front of the post. But Sirens were resilient enough to respond and after David Cutajar scored from the right side, John Brownrigg equalised, lobbing over Ryan Coleiro after the Sliema defence was caught on one foot.

Sirens took the lead for the first time from Presciutti, but this time it was Sliema’s turn to equalise from centre Gabarretta. But after Presciutti made the score 8-7, Sliema lost all concentration, losing also their coach Bogdan Rath who was sent-off. Isaiah Riolo scored twice from the right side to close the affair, and Christian Presciutti sealed the three points with a late goal, amongst the joy of Sergio Afric, and Vice-President John Farrugia.

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta (2), E. Aquilina (2), C. Cluett, G. Molina (1), K. Dowling, M. Spiteri Staines, L. Galea, J. Gambin (1), M. Meli, Z. Mizzi (1), B. Cachia, Z. Sciberras

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti (4), J. Sciberras, M. Grech, I. Riolo (2), C. Mercieca (1), D. Cutajar (3), J. Napier, J. Brownrigg (1), M. Sciberras, J. Ciantar, O. Gauci

Referees: Mario Alessandro Roberti Dalli, Champions Marsaxlokk finish in style

Marsaxlokk Fischer 14 Marsascala Tran. 12 (5-3), (5-3), (2-2), (2-4)

The league was decided before this game, but this match served as a formality for Marsaxlokk to be crowned First Division Champions for the second consecutive season. Credit goes to coach Roman Polacik in his first experience as a coach in Malta, and also to the hard-working President Victor Fenech who managed to build a strong squad for the first division.

Marsaxlokk managed to take a two-goal lead in the first session after Marsaskala had made the score 3-3. Polacik’s team got the better of their opponents from the start of the second session and scored twice consecutively from Zeljko Kovacic and Brian Buhagiar to take a four-goal lead, an advantage that they kept till the end of the second session.

Marsaxlokk had the task to control the game and they did, as Marsaskala had to score twice from Busuttil and Vlahovic to at least limit the damage. They had a comfortable lead and kept controlling the game as Marsaskala tried a late comeback to save the game but it was unsuccessful as they re- duced the margin to two goals.

After the game, captain Chris Gialanze was presented with the trophy from BOV official Paul Gauci in the presence of ASA President Karl Galea.

Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, C. Spiteri Debarro (5), L. Calleja, M. Cacici, C. Gialanze, C. Bugeja, S. Meli, Z. Kovacic (4), B. Buhagiar (1), R. Scerri (1), K. Lanzon (1), L. Gialanze (2), R. Bonnici

Marsaskala: K. Schembri, J.C. Cutajar (1), N. Farrugia (1), C. Bonello, A. Vlahovic (4), L. Grixti (1), K. Navarro (1), J. Busuttil (1), S. Micallef, M. Agius, D. Cassar, M. Cutajar (3), B. Muscat

Referees: Peter Domenico Rotondano Balzan, Premier League PW D L F A Pts 15 15 0 0 181 92 45 15 91 5 161 132 28 15 62 7 120 116 20 15 61 8 134 145 19 15 42 9 104 135 14 15 1 2 12 100 179 5 San Giljans Neptunes Sirens Sliema Exiles Valletta First Division

PW D Marsaxlokk 12 10 0 Marsaskala 12 70 Otters 12 52 Birzebbuga 12 52 Ta’ Xbiex 12 12 L F A Pts 2 123 93 30 5 120 101 18 5 107 111 17 5 101 89 17 9 65 122 5