Neptunes earn deserved win

Neptunes Leo Vegas 11 Sliema Frank Salt 8 (5-4), (3-0), (2-3), (1-1)

Neptunes Leo Vegas sealed their place in the final as they won the third and final game. This match was different than the previous two as this time Neptunes took advantage from a good start and held on by consolidating their advantage as time passed by.

The previous two games were much tighter as the second session proved to be decisive for the remainder of the game. Sliema therefore will have to fight to finish third and at least improve on their fourth place of last year.

The match had a brilliant start as both teams were encouraged by their supporters to start the match on a high. Sliema had twice a onegoal advantage from Michael Spiteri Staines and Jerome Gabarretta but Neptunes made a splendid reaction in the middle of the session and from 2-1 down they took a 4-2 lead through Petar Muslim and a brace by Jordan Camilleri.

Sliema managed to claw a goal back by the end of the session with a late goal by Kai Dowling to reduce the gap to 5-4.

At that time the ninth goal of the game didn’t have a great importance, as Neptunes dominated the second session being more sharp in their play whilst their oppo- nents failed to take their chances in front of goal.

Stevie Camilleri and Petar Muslim gave Neptunes a three-goal advantage, and Niki Lanzon assured a commanding 8-4 lead with a goal in the last second of the game.

Things didn’t look easy for Sliema but they made a quick reaction to stay in the game with two goals by Jamie Gambin and Nicholas Bugelli. Jordan Camilleri made it 9-6 but Zach Mizzi responded with a brilliant left-hand shot. Jeremy Abela regained the three-goal cushion as Neptunes stayed in the driving seat to win the game.

Sliema’s hopes faded by the minute as Neptunes controlled the game till the end, with Mark Meli cancelling the previous goal by Petar Muslim, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the defeat.

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

Sliema: J. Sammut, J. Gabarretta (1), C. Presciutti, J. Saliba, M. Meli (1), K. Dowling (1), M. Spiteri Staines (1), D. Fenech, M. Cordina, J. Gambin (1), Z. Mizzi (1), N. Bugelli (1), Z. Sciberras

Referees: Peter Balzan, Attilio Paoletti

Photo: Domenic Aquilina Neptunes Leo Vegas’ Niki Lanzon (R) drives home his side’s eight goal against Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate