San Giljan Allcare 11 Neptunes Grimaldi 14
(3-3, 3-2, 2-4, 3-5)
The last place in the BOV semis has been pencilled in, as the champions withstood some heavy pressure from San Giljan, till midway through the third session, and then forged forward, to opem up a good enough advantage, to last them through the remainder of the match. San Giljan were faring well in the first part of the encounter, and also obtained double leads after the break, but when they failed in two consecutive man ups they paid the price, as Neptunes rammed in three strikes in a row, to overturn the score.
After the Saints’ initial lead, the champions were twice ahead, in the opening session, but San Giljan were level, going into the next period. Once more Neptunes twice forged in front, but till the interval San Giljan had Zejlko Kovacic with two strong distance sahots, to take a 6-5 advantage, halfway through the match.
After the break the saints twice held a double lead, but Neptunes persevered, and after reducing the deficit, and surviving two man ups against them, the champions struck twice, to lead 9-8, with a last quarter to go. Twp early goals had Neptunes sitting pretty, and although the Saints managed to get to within a goal of their opponents, Neptunes produced a three goal spell once more, to put the game beyond their adversaries’ reach.
Tamas Molnar and Steve Camilleri netted four goals apiece for the champions, with the Saints having Zejlko Kovacic also on four goals, and Matthew Zammit with a hat trick.
Neptunes will now face Sirens Ritter Sport, in the second semi final, two weeks from now.
San Giljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri de Barro , A. Galea , K. Galea 1, K. Dowling 1,
M. Zammit 3, A. Radovic 1, A. Bianchi , K. Galea , Z. Kovacic 4, P. Fava , D. Zammit 1, J. Sammut
Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, M. Lanzon , M. Stellini 1, T. Agius ,
M. Zammit , S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri , A. Zarb Cousin , P. Biros 1, B. Dougall , T. Molnar 4, C. Mercieca 2
Referees: M. Dalli, G. Centineo
Source: www.independent.com.mt