Sliema, Neptunes gear up for derby with fine wins

As expected the fancied teams of Sliema Burger King, Neptunes Vodafone, Go Mobile Sirens and Marsascala Breakers all registered comfortable victories over inferior opposition.

Sliema and Neptunes were in action in the opening two matches of the day as they warmed up for today's highly-awaited derby.

The Blues had on their bench coach Sergio Afric who was guiding them for the first time this season in the Winter League.

Sliema, as expected, easily disposed of Ta' Xbiex. After taking an 11-1 lead at the end of the second session they opted to rope in several youngsters for the remaining two quarters.

This gave Aldo Scerri's side some breathing space and they managed to make the final scoreline more respectable - 16-7.

The game also saw a father and son playing against each other - 44-year-old Peter Paolella, playing for Ta' Xbiex and his son Daniel, featuring for the Blues.

Neptunes thrashed Marsaxlokk to the tune of 11 goals to three. The Reds played a pressing game, which gave their opponents no space to manoeuvre.

One thought that Dirk Dowling would opt for a zone game in the fourth session as Marsaxlokk looked to have exhausted all their energy. But Neptunes maintained the same tactics as they cruised to a comfortable win.

Again the top teams, who have in their ranks the most talented players in local waterpolo, are using this competition to give more experience to their youngsters, something which they can ill-afford to do in the summer league.

In the third match of the programme, Sirens took some time to cut loose against San Giljan. It was only in the third session that Joe Attard's side made sure of the game and went on to win 7-2. On this form, the Saints look to be a safe bet to win the second division title come this summer.

It was much easier than expected for Marsascala as they beat Exiles 14-8. Marsascala's Paul Privitera again proved to be a vital pivot as his neat passing and goals turned the balance in his side's favour.

Yesterday's Summaries

Sliema 16
Ta' Xbiex 7
(6-1, 5-0, 3-4, 2-2)

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

Ta' Xbiex: D. Debono, T. Zammit, E. Pisani, K. Sciortino, C. D'Ugo, A. Fero, P. Paolella (3), D. Schembri (4), T. Boyd, S. Balzan, W. Privitera, C. Sciortino, P. Dimech.

Referees: A. Farrugia, M. Ancilleri.

Neptunes 11
Marsaxlokk 3
(2-0, 1-1, 4-0, 4-2)

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

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

Referees: I. Sciriha, A. DeRaffaele.

Sirens 7
San Giljan 2
(2-0, 2-1, 3-0, 0-1)

Sirens: J. Caruana Dingli, M. Vella, J. Rizzo Naudi, M. Zammit, C. Cauchi, J. Valletta, J. Borg (1), D. Cutajar (2), K. Montfort (1), W. Degiorgio, J. Farrugia (1), N. Cassar (2), R. D'Amato, N. Imbroll.

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

Referees: Miro Caruana, Peter Balzan.

Exiles 8
Marsascala 14
(2-3, 2-5, 1-4, 3-2)

Exiles: A. Grech, M. Grima, M. Zarb, D. Pace Lupi (1), K. Camilleri (1), A. Arrigo, J. Cremona (1), D. Sullivan, S. Decesare, K. Rizzo Naudi (1), J. Vella (3), M. Calleja (1).

Marsascala: I. Bugeja, C. Spiteri DeBarro (2), A. Galea, P. Privitera (4), C. Gialanze, J. Xerri de Caro (3), J. Licari (1), L. Grixti, S. Micallef, K. Lanzon (2), P. Fava (2), M. Borg Spiteri, D. Ciappara, S. Farrugia.

Referees: P. Balzan, I. Sciriha.