Neptunes Emirates 15
San Giljan Giuseppe’s 11
(2-3, 3-2, 7-4, 3-2)
Neptunes: I, Bugeja, N. Lanzon 2, E. Aquilina, M. Stellini 2, G. Pace, A. Ciric 2, S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri, Z. Mizzi, S. Gravina, R. Sciortino, T. Molnar 5, C. Mercieca
San Giljan: D. Camilleri, JC Cutajar, N. Sutic 1, B. Plumpton, K. Dowling, M. Zammit 3, B. Letica 3, A. Bianchi 3, R. Mock, K. Mock, P. Fava, D. Abela , M. Pisani 1
Referees: M. Angileri, D. Bianco
In the space of just four days San Giljan lost twice, to lose interest in the top spot in the standings, though they are already into the play off semi final. Neptunes are back, just a point behind leaders, Sliema, who they will meet in the crunch match, next Sunday.
The Saints made changes after their debacle against Sliema, with Nikola Sitic being recalled, taking Bogdan Rath’s place, and two more players were missing, Karl Galea and Christian Gialanze.
The first part of the match was a tight one, with San Giljan leading by the odd goal in five after the first session, and the champions winning the next period by the same margin, for a drawn score, at 5-5, at the interval.
After the break, Neptunes, with Tamas Molnar in top form once again, rounded off a four goal happy time, but the Saints were back, to just a goal behind, only for the champions to sneak in three more goals, and a 12-9 advantage, despite Andrea Bianchi’s heroics for San Giljan, with his three goals. In the last session Neptunes were in control, and Matthew Zammit’s brace for the Saints, were replied to by the champions’ three goals in a row, for a comfortable victory.
The champions had Molnar with a nap hand of goals, followed by Steve Camilleri, with four more. San Giljan’s main scorers all netted a hat trick each, Zammit, Bianchi and Boris Letica.
Source: www.independent.com.mt