San Giljan Allcare 9 Sliema Frank Salt 10
(2-1, 2-3, 3-3, 2-3)
Sliema edged out the saints in a thrilling encounter, that had the Blues reacting well to their shock defeat by Sirens, just a few days before. San Giljan lost their first points of the season, and also their top placing, being overtaken by Neptunes. San Giljan took an early double advantage, with Sliema reducing their deficit till the end of the period. In the second session Sliema’s Jerome Gabarretta obtained his hat trick, but was fouled out early, soon afterwards. The Saints twice drew level till the interval, as both sides were level, at 4-4, halfway through the match.
The Saints went in front after the break, but Sliema retaliated well, with a trio of goals. San Giljan did not take lonbg to even the score once more, as Sliema also lost Mark Meli on fouls. The last session began with both sides locked at 7-7. Alex Radovic blasted the Saints ahead, but Ivan Basara, who played in lieu of Tim Hutten, netted twice in a row, and Sliema were in front. San Giljan obtained another even score, but the deciding goal came from a John Soler lob for the Blues. There was still time left, but Sliema held out, to grab all three points. and go into third position.
Sliema had two players on three strikes, Gabarretta and Basara. San Giljan’s Zejlko Kovacic also netted a hat trick, but the Saints’ tally on man ups left much to be desired, as they scored six goals from a total of fourteen man ups.
San Giljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri de Barro , A. Galea , K. Galea , K. Dowling ,M. Zammit , A. Radovic , A. Bianchi , K. Galea , Z. Kovacic , P. Fava , D. Zammit , J. Sammut
Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta 2, N. Lubrano , T. Sullivan , M. Meli , J. Soler ,J. Borg , C. Cluett , J. Brownrigg , A. Attard , T. Hutten , A. Petkovic , K. Schembri
Referees: P. Balzan, L. Castagnola
Source: www.independent.com.mt