Neptunes win third title on the trot

Neptunes Vodafone won the Winter League title for the third time in a row yesterday when they beat favourites Go Mobile Sirens, their victory maturing in the final session which they started 6-4 in arrears but eventually won it 4-0 for an overall 8-6 success.

Neptunes, who had scored first through Edward Cachia, turned the tables on their opponents when coach Dirk Dowling decided to change tactics from zone to press and the St Paul's Bay side now found it difficult to cope with their opponents who were dangerous in their fast breaks.

Although the game was very tight expulsions were scarce. In fact there were only four sendings-off, two on each side, a rare thing in local waterpolo. From these Neptunes scored twice but Sirens lost both.

The game could have swung Sirens' way when in the third session, with the score at 5-3 in their favour, Jonathan Valletta failed to score with only Nicky Gouder to beat as the young Neptunes goalkeeper effected a tremendous point-blank save.

Gouder it must be said, was a bit shaky in the beginning but improved beyond recognition as the game wore on and together with Matthew Pisani, who scored four goals, were the pick of the winning side.

Sirens gave the impression that they were in for a comfortable victory especially when they were leading 5-2 midway through the match and 6-4 at the end of the third session.

Valletta and Neil Cassar scored Sirens' first two goals with distant shots to win the first quarter 2-1.

Sirens also had the edge in the second with Mario Zammit scoring a third, but Matthew Pisani, also from long range, reduced the arrears.

Chis Cauchi's backhand restored Sirens' two-goal lead and Valletta, all alone, made it 5-2.

Pisani, on a fast break closed the gap to 5-3 but after Valletta lost that golden opportunity David Cutajar was sent off and Charlie Zammit snatched the chance to make it 5-4 with a hard drive.

Before the end of the third session, Valletta scored from a four-metre throw for 6-4.

The last quarter, however, belonged to Neptunes who dominated throughout. Pisani beat Joe Caruana Dingli from an acute angle for a 6-5 scoreline and Niki Lanzon's magnificent backhand brought the sides on level terms.

At 6-6 the game became more interesting. Cauchi's shot was deflected, prompting an immediate Lanzon fast break ending with Pisani lobbing the ball over Caruana Dingli.

On the stoke of time Zammit, from seven metres, beat Caruana Dingli again to seal Neptunes' victory.

After the match the Winter League trophy was presented to Neptunes' captain Lanzon by the Aquatic Sports Association president, Robert Ebejer. This was Neptunes' fifth success in this competition.

In the previous match, Sliema found little difficulty in disposing of the feeble challenge of Marsascala.

Edward Aquilina was Sliema's best performer, not only scoring five goals, but also having a hand in at least another three.

Veteran John Paris also stole the show in the third session with a brilliant flicked goal reminiscent of his early days.

Yesterday's summaries

San Giljan 7
Marsaxlokk 5
(2-0, 1-1, 3-1, 1-3)

San Giljan: K. Schembri, K. D'Ugo, S. Mercieca, E. Bonello, P. Cachia, M. Zammit (1) I. Azzopardi (1), J. Camilleri, G. Farrugia, Ant. Borda, S. Borg (1), M. Pace, K. Grima Scott (4), Adam Borda, J. Spiteri.

Marsaxlokk: R. Bonnici, S. Cachia (2), R. Calleja (1), K. Incorvaja, N. Kerr, C. Bugeja, R. Cutajar, M. Fava, G. Ghirxi, K. Enriquez (1), D. Cassar, L. Cachia, A. Privitera (1), S. Cutajar, M. Cutajar.

Referees: A. De Raffaele, A. Farrugia.

Sliema 12
Marsascala 6
(2-1, 2-1, 5-1, 3-3)

Sliema: J. Cachia, J.J. Tabone, E. Aquilina (5), M. Galea Pace (1), M. Meli, J. Soler (2), J. Paris (3), K. Engerer (1), C. Debono, F. Cutajar, G. Lubrano, I. Muscat, A. Bianchi, D. Paolella, R. Coleiro.

Marsascala: I. Bugeja, C. Spiteri DeBarro, T. Galea, P. Privitera (3), C. Gialanze (1), J. Xerri De Caro (1), J. Licari, L. Grixti, S. Micallef (1), K. Lanzon, P. Fava, M. Borg Spiteri, D. Ciappara, S. Farrugia.

Referees: P. Balzan, M. Ancilleri.

Neptunes 8
Sirens 6
(1-2 1-3 2-1 4-0)

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon (1), S. Camilleri, S. Gravina, E. Cachia (1), J. Brownrigg, A. Galea, C. Zammit (2), David Camilleri, M. Azzopardi, Dean Camilleri, M. Stellini, M. Pisani (4).

Sirens: J. Caruana Dingli, M. Vella, J. Rizzo Naudi, M. Zammit (1), C. Cauchi (1), J. Valletta (3), J. Borg, D. Cutajar, K. Montfort, W. Degiorgio, J. Farrugia, N. Cassar (1), R. D'Amato, N. Imbroll.

Referees: M. Dalli, I. Sciriha.