Reds accomplish expected task

Adapted from The Sunday Times report  by Alex Vella, National Pool

Sirens 8 
- Neptunes 16
(0-3, 3-6, 1-4, 4-3)

With Sirens coach Marco Risso watching the proceedings in an unusually passive mode in the knowledge that his team had a mammoth task to subdue their opponents, Neptunes Emirates once again showed what quality they are made of as they all but destroyed the northerners to the tune of 16-8.

Indeed, the Reds are displaying the best brand of waterpolo with all their units combining well and showing great sharpness in front of the opposing goal, particularly through Steve Camilleri, scorer of another six goals yesterday.

The Balluta Bay team’s power play soon got them off the mark with the Camilleri brothers, Steve, twice, and Jordan, putting them 3-0 in front in the opening session.

The Reds repelled with relative ease anything Sirens could throw at them as Alexandar Ciric kept a watchful eye on Csaba Kiss while Arpad Babay was also well supervised collectively.

Neptunes’ edge was again evident in the second session during which Babay and Steve Camilleri were caught on two expulsions, but with the former player still in the water.

Two goals each for Ciric and Tamas Molnar and one each from Steve and Jordan Camilleri had Sirens replying through Babay, Kiss and Stephen Micallef for a 9-3 Neptunes advantage when ends were changed.

Steve Camilleri was back in the water for the third session with Sirens trying to catch him on a third foul. Neptunes kept up the momentum with Molnar netting a stunning goal from ten metres out, Steve Camilleri adding two more and Michele Stellini hitting home from an angle.

Sirens could only make their presence felt when captain David Cutajar saw his shot skim past the reliable Alan Borg Cole.

One sensed that the Reds would go for some casual fare as their team led 13-4 into the last session. Sirens tried to preserve their ego.

Neptunes, with most of their tailenders in the water, were now in complacent mood. Their task had long been accomplished.

Sirens: A. Grech, Z. Mizzi, M. Grech, J. Napier, A. Babay 1, Z. Kiss 2, A. Camenzuli, D. Cutajar 3, A. Zarb Cousin, A. Attard 1, S. Micallef 1, G. Debono, J. Cre-mona.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lan-zon 1, A. Sammut, M. Stellini 1, T. Agius, A. Ciric 2, S. Camilleri 6, J. Camilleri 2, G. Pace, S. Gravina, B. Lanzon, T. Molnar 4, C. Mer-cieca.

Refs: P. Balzan, M. Calabro.

Premier League