Neptunes hand title to Sirens

Sliema 11
Neptunes 12
(2-2, 5-4, 3-3, 1-3)

This was an absorbing contest on all counts. At stake was a possible play-off for the title between champions Sliema Burger King and leaders 2x Sirens, but only if the Blues could pick up all points at stake. This would have meant for Sliema a fifth title in succession in terms of calendar years.

Neptunes Vodafone had only their pride to play for. After all they had just about held their own in their two previous matches against their sporting rivals Sliema, losing the first one and then drawing the second.

The title had eluded them but Sirens were eager to see if the Balluta Bay team could do them a favour. They did so after a great comeback in the last session which saw them turn a 9-11 deficit into a 12-11 victory, thanks largely to their better staying power and a poker from Niki Lanzon who outshone John Soler, Sliema's catalyst in the previous match against Sirens.

The result meant that Sirens had won their sixth title, their second in the new millennium without touching the water and their fans danced joyously in front of the Neptunes supporters at the end of the match, before their captain was presented with the championship cup by Bertie Muscat, a former Sirens' player and former member of the LEN Bureau.

The runners-up trophy was erroneously presented to Sliema's captain Soler. The ASA president Robert Ebejer, later in the evening, acknowledged this mistake and told the Sunday Times that Sliema will be asked to return the trophy which will be duly presented to Neptunes who ended with a superior goal difference to that of Sliema.

Prestige was the driving force behind Neptunes' resolve to make a game of it. By contrast, Sliema faced a must-win scenario to retain their hopes for the title. The large crowd which filled almost all places in the stands had a sense of expectancy. The primadonnas in the water were raring to go and give their all.

The game started with Edward Aquilina catching Niki Gouder unawares from the acutest of angles to put his team ahead. Lanzon converted a man up (the first out of seven on 10 sets - a good scoring rate). He then put his team ahead when converting a penalty. Aquilina again surprised Gouder to level matters.

Clint Debono's drive from nine metres again had the beating of Gouder early in the second session. Neptunes' semi-zone was also at fault here. Edward Cachia soon converted on an extra man set to level matters. Sliema failed to capitalise when Dave Camilleri was off but not Nicky Falzon who netted from a close angle when Neptunes were a man less.

Exchanges remained vibrant as Cachia again breached the Blues' lines when his team were a man over. Gouder gave the ball away on a save to gift Sliema with the fifth goal scored by Bianchi.

The Blues were static when allow Mat Pisani drove home on another man up (5-5). Steve Camilleri procured a penalty and Lanzon put Neptunes ahead. Excitement kept brewing as Francesco Cutajar redressed the imbalance on a man up. It was the second on four conversions on 10 extra man sets.

Soler repeated the dose. But Neptunes missed on a similar set. Sliema were leading 7-6 at the half way and it was nerve-tingling all the way. More of the same was expected as the teams at times shifted semi zones from their press tactics. Michele Stellini levelled from position one when Soler was off, with Galea Pace netting from a distance to nose the Blues ahead. Lanzon broke to restore the equilibrium.

Debono, who was relieved not to be pulled up for what appeared to be a clear penalty when holding Karl Galea, made it 9-8.

Two-goal gap

John Paris netted from a man-up to open a two-goal gap, the first of the match (10-8). Such a lead sparked off more fighting spirit in the Sliema clan but Soler was fouled in the third session and on the stroke of time Dave Camilleri pulled a goal.

Debono was turning out to be Sliema's hero. He lobbed cutely to make it 11-9 soon after the last restart. D. Camilleri jinked away on a man-up to pull a goal back from an inside position. Then Neptunes broke to restore equilibrium through Pisani.

The Reds supporters were urging their players on, no doubt backed by the silent Sirens faction at the other end. With Bianchi out, Steve Camilleri put Neptunes ahead for the third time in the game and with just four minutes left.

The Blues were forced to dig deeper into their fighting qualities but they failed to convert a crucial man up with Gouder pulling off a fine save.

With 39 seconds left Sliema again failed to cash on an exclusion. At the final whistle the Neptunes went wild with delight. So did the Sirens faction. A great finish to a stupendous game that was a credit to waterpolo.

Sliema: J. Cachia, D. Paolella, E. Aquilina 2, M. Galea Pace 1, M. Meli, J. Soler 1, J. Paris 1, K. Engerer, C. Debono 3, F. Cutajar 1, R. Coleiro, N. Falzon 1, A. Bianchi 1.

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon 4, S. Gravina, K. Galea, E. Cachia 2, J. Brownrigg, S. Camilleri 1, L. Attard, D. Camilleri 2, M. Azzopardi, A. Sammut, M. Stellini 1, M. Pisani 2.

Refs: L. Bianco, M. Dalli.

San Giljan win third - Div. II title on the trot

San Giljan 7
Exiles 5
(1-2, 3-1, 1-1, 2-1)

San Giljan Foster Clark made it a memorable three titles in succession when they had the better of Exiles RMF in what was a decisive encounter after both teams had maintained the same pace throughout the league trek.

No doubt the winners owe much of their victory to powerhouse Matthew Zammit their top scorer, who grabbed four goals in yesterday's match. Apart from this player's contribution, San Giljan could bank on better organisation and a tighter defensive lines.

Exiles were 2-1 up at the end of the first session but the Saints recovered to make it 4-3 at halfway mark. San Giljan kept a tighter grip on the game and extended their lead to 5-3 before their opponents pulled a goal back.

Zammit scored his fourth goal for a 6-4 scoreline in San Giljan's favour but with 16 seconds left Joe Cremona reduced the deficit only for Kayne Lanzon to make it a definite 7-5.

It was a deserved victory for San Giljan whose veteran captain and coaching mentor Ian Azzopardi was presented was presented with the Division Two championship Cup by Bertie Muscat.

San Giljan: D. Camilleri, K. Lanzon 1, K. D'Ugo, C. Bonello 1, G. Ghirxi, M. Zammit 4, I. Azzopardi, M. Pace, G. Farrugia, A. Borda, S. Borg, J. Spiteri, K. Grima Scott 1.

Exiles: J. Cuschieri, M. Grima, M. Zarb, A. Borg Cole, T. Sullivan 2, S. Camilleri, G. Desira Buttigieg, J. Cremona 1, J.J. Tabone, M. Calleja 1, A. Arrigo 1, J. Vella, W. Privitera.

Refs: S. Balzan, M. Caruana.

Otters 5
Ta' Xbiex 9
(0-3, 2-3, 1-2, 2-1)

Otters: R. Grech, D. Saliba, F. Bajada, S. Grech 3, J. Zammit, J.P. Buttigieg, P. Saliba 2, K. Mizzi, J. Cefai, B. Pavia, E. Farrugia, M. Tabone, N. Apap.

Ta Xbiex: A. Tanti, G. Attard, A. Ferò, K. Sciortino 2, C. D'Ugo, D. Dowling, N. Giordano, D. Schembri 1, J. Dimech, S. Balzan 3, P. Paolella 3, M. Bianchi, C. Sciortino.

Refs: M. Angileri, P. Giordano.