Marsascala add more woes to Neptunes
Marsascala 12Neptunes 11(4-3, 3-2, 2-2, 3-4)\nNeptunes Vodafone's championship bid received another hard blow yesterday after they were surprisingly beaten by Marsascala 12-11. In an entertaining affair, the southseasiders certainly deserved to finish...
Marsascala 12
Neptunes 11
(4-3, 3-2, 2-2, 3-4)
\nNeptunes Vodafone's championship bid received another hard blow yesterday after they were surprisingly beaten by Marsascala 12-11.
In an entertaining affair, the southseasiders certainly deserved to finish on the winning side as they defended boldly throughout the match and took all the chances that came their way netting seven of the eight man-up sets they had in their favour. Darren Ciappara and Tony Galea scored four goals apiece for Marsascala.
The Reds were again let down by their profligacy in man-up situations as they only converted five from 11. Their defensive tactics also left much to be desired with the Marsascala players enjoying too much space to manoeuvre.
Neptunes will be anxiously waiting for the outcome of today's encounter between Sliema and Sirens with a win for the St Paul's Bay outfit pushing the Balluta Bay team to second place.
Following their upset to Sliema, Neptunes were desperate to bounce back to winning ways. However, it was Marsascala who had the better start when Darren Ciappara put them ahead after only 30 seconds. The Reds soon levelled matters when David Camilleri blasted home.
Ciappara and Galea put Marsascala 3-1 ahead. However, the Reds soon managed to level matters when first Matthew Pisani flicked home a rebound and then Lanzon scored from a penalty. John Xerri De Caro then beat Cachia with a backhand to put Marsascala ahead 4-3.
Neptunes restored equilibrium at the start of the second session when Lanzon lobbed behind Bugeja but the Southerners were again in front soon afterwards when Xerri De Caro flicked past Cachia. The goals kept coming, though, and Lanzon again equalised for Neptunes after receiving from Camilleri.
With two minutes from the end of the second period, Marsascala suffered a huge blow when Clint Mercieca was fouled out. However, they still managed to regain the lead when Gialanze completed the job after a swift counter-attack. On the stroke of time Ciappara completed his hat-trick from a man-up situation.
Marsascala kept up the tempo and an upset was on the cards when Ciappara was again on target to put Marsascala 8-5 up. Neptunes' defence was in disarray when Galea increased his team's advantage to four goals.
Malcolm Azzopardi, however, pulled one back for Neptunes and with 13 seconds to the end of the third session M. Pisani threw a lifeline with a well-taken goal.
Trailing 9-7 at the start of the fourth quarter things were not looking good for Neptunes. Their inability to convert with an extra man in the water was hampering their recovery bid.
The issue, however, was thrown wide open when Charlie Zammit hit the target from five metres out to reduce Marsascala's lead to 9-8. Marsascala were not impressed though and soon re-established their two-goal advantage thanks to Galea.
Time was running out for Neptunes. M. Pisani responded to the call when he found the net from mid-pitch. But Marsascala's scoring rate from man-ups was consistent... Galea beating Cachia from an angle.
Joe Cremona seemed to have put the issue beyond Neptunes' reach when he made it 12-9. The situation was now critical for the Reds even though Zammit and Camilleri gave them a glimmer a hope with a few seconds to go.
Tony Camilleri here called for a time-out but Neptunes still failed to break down the solid Marsascala who held on to a win which will certainly have a huge bearing on the title race.
Marsascala: I. Bugeja, P. Fava, T. Galea (4), A. Farrugia, C. Gialanze (1), J. Xerri De Caro (2), C. Mercieca, J. Cremona (1), S. Micallef, R. Cutajar, G. Borg, M. Zammit D. Ciappara (4).
Neptunes: A. Cachia, N. Lanzon (3), D. Pisani, C.J. Brownrigg, E. Cachia, D. Camilleri (2), J. Licari, C. Zammit (2), N. Gouder, M. Azzopardi (1), I. Azzopardi, M. Stellini, M. Pisani (3).
Refs: A. Sardelitto, P. Balzan.
Division Two
San Giljan 9
Ta' Xbiex 7
(4-3, 3-2, 0-0, 2-2)
San Giljan moved one point adrift of joint-leaders Exiles and Marsa-xlokk after beating Ta' Xbiex 9-7.
San Giljan finished on top thanks to their perfect man-up record where they netted all six opportunities that came their way.
San Giljan: K. Sciberras, J. Mercieca (1), S. Mercieca (1), C. Grima, N. Kerr, C. Bugeja, M. Lombardi (3), M. Zarb, G. Farrugia (4), M. Fava, G. Ghirxi, D. Debono, K. Grima Scott.
Ta' Xbiex: A. Tanti, G. Attard (2), C. Sciortino, G. Stellini, P. Paolella (1), K. Sciortino, M. Psaila (1), D. Schembri, T. Boyd, E. Pisani (3), A. Arrigo, F. Testa, S. Micallef.
Refs: A. De Raffaele, P. Balzan.
Valletta 3
Otters 6
(0-2, 1-2, 0-2, 2-0)
Valletta: E. Arrigo, D. Tyler, M. Camilleri, W. Galea (1 o.g.), D. Degiorgio (1), P. Gatt, N. Micallef, K. Hyzler (1), J. Farrugia, D. Shaw, M. Micallef, T. Diacono (1), G. Zammit.
Otters: R. Grech, J. Cefai, G.L. Zammit (1), S. Grech, J. Grech, C. Zammit, P. Saliba, K. Mizzi, K. Vella, D. Zammit (2), A. Tabone, M. Tabone (2), D. Saliba.
Refs: T. Fenech, M. Caruana.
U-19 result
Sliema 13 Exiles 4.