Waterpolo: Sliema are a step away from a paradise
SAN ĠILJAN JP PROJECTS..... 8SLIEMA FRANK SALT............ 12(0-2), (1-3), (4-4), (4-3) Round one for Sliema Frank Salt and they are now in the driving seat to clinch their first Summer League since 2009. This win does not only put Sliema 1
SAN ĠILJAN JP PROJECTS..... 8
SLIEMA FRANK SALT............ 12
(0-2), (1-3), (4-4), (4-3)
Round one for Sliema Frank Salt and they are now in the driving seat to clinch their first Summer League since 2009. This win does not only put Sliema 1-0 ahead in the best out of three series but gives a sense of belief that this might really be the time for them. It is the second win for Sliema against San Giljan in less than two weeks and they are now ahead in the direct encounters this summer.
San Ġiljan didn't show their true potential, leaving open spaces in defence while lacking the killer instinct in attack. But despite looking fragile at times, Sliema only secured the win in the last two minutes, and this might be a sign that if they improve their performance, San Giljan can force a decider for Saturday.
Sliema got the upper hand early in the game. Jayden Cutajar and a brilliant solo goal by Elijah Schembri from the centre gave Sliema a 2-0 lead. To make matters, Jeremy Abela was excluded with substitution after only a bit more than two minutes from the start of the game.
Sliema were neutralising every effort by San Ġiljan as the champions looked powerless in attack. Marko Orlovic who led the team in the absence of Zeljko Kovacic, utilised more Darren Zammit and Matthew Zammit in the centre to fill the gap following Abela's exclusion.
San Ġiljan clawed a goal back in the second session with a typical goal by Matthew Zammit as the captain used his power to fire past Matthew Castillo. Sliema reacted and quickly they regained control of the encounter by scoring three times from Benji Cachia, Liam Galea and Jayden Cutajar to end the second session 5-1.
Following Cutajar's third goals, Nikolai Zammit gave San Ġiljan some hope of a comeback by scoring twice in a matter of few seconds. As both teams were going back and forth, Liam Galea's majestic backhand at the last second of the third session, consolidated Sliema's lead to 9-5.
San Ġiljan were not going down without a fight and started the last session with two goals by Aaron Younger and Nikolai Zammit to cut the deficit to only two goals. Cachia scored but Zammit's fourth goal of the game kept San Ġiljan in the game. Jamie Gambin made sure of the win from close range as Cachia's lob from distance were the cherry on the cake for Sliema's celebrations as they are now one win away from winning the league.
San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, N. Bugelli, D. Tully, R. Caruana, A. Younger (3), M. Zammit (1), J. Bonavia, J. Zammit, J. Abela, N. Zammit (4), D. Zammit, N. Schiavone, G. Borg, G. Bonavia
Sliema: N. Grixti, E. Schembri (1), L. Galea (3), J. Gambin (1), G. Cannella, B. Cachia (4), J. Cutajar (3), D. Rizzo, J. Brownrigg, A. Galea, Z. Mizzi, D. Zammit, M. Castillo, J. Cassar
Referees: Alex de Raffaele, Fabio Brasiliano
Marsaxlokk close to First Division title
MARSAXLOKK MFF.......... 19
EXILES WELBEE'S........... 12
(7-1), (4-5), (4-3), (4-3)
Marsaxlokk MFF showed why they are the favourites to win the BOV First Division as they brushed aside Exiles Welbee's. Marsaxlokk had the control of the match early in the game and consolidated their lead with a 7-1 advantage in the first session.
Exiles pulled two goals back in the second session but Marsaxlokk enjoyed an 11-4 lead during the session. That was only until Exiles cut the gap to to 12-9 in the early moments of the third session. But Exiles' hopes faded as Marsaxlokk stretched their lead to six goals by the end of the session and controlled proceedings during the last session.
Marsaxlokk: M. Farrugia, M. Lanzon (2), A. Cook (1), A. Aquilina, T. Agius, J. Valletta (5), R. Spiteri (1), J. Pawley, R. Galea (4), J. Borg Tabone, F. Valera (5), R. Attard, A. Fava (1), S. Mifsud
Exiles: Z. Dzanovic, Z. Cutajar Licari, Z. Micallef, D. Pace Lupi, M. Martellacci, N. Bonavia, D. Gogov (4), K. Griscti (4), N. Paris, K. Tanti (3), M. Fenech, N. Saliba, G. Galea Curmi, S. Cutajar Casha (1)
Referees: Massimo Angileri, Andrea Zedda
Upcoming games
Tomorrow
First Division
Exiles vs Marsaxlokk 6.15pm
Premier Division
Sliema vs San Ġiljan 7.30pm
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