Revived Neptunes spoil Sirens’ record to take top spot

Exemplary team-captain NIKI LANZON, scorer of six goals for the second match running

Sirens 12
Neptunes 15
(0-4, 3-2, 4-4, 5-5)

Sirens : J. Sammut, A. Attard 5, P. Micallef, P. Borg 1, A. Sammut, R. Mock, J. Borg, M. Grech, C. Zammit 2, L. Caruana, D. Zammit 1, C. Mercieca 3.

Neptunes : I. Bugeja, N. Lanzon 6, E. Aquilina 2, M. Stellini 1, Z. Mizzi, K. Debattista, J. Camilleri 4, T. Agius, B. Buhagiar, S. Gravina 1, G. Pace, B. Lanzon, M. Pisani 1.

Refs: R. Spiteri, A. De Raffaele.

Neptunes Emirates woke up to their responsibilities to inflict the first defeat on Sirens who had otherwise enjoyed a clean slate after beating San Ġiljan and Sliema.

The Reds had centre Niki Lanzon again playing the tune in terms of goals, closely followed by the versatile Jordan Camilleri who netted four times.

Their five-goal flying start went some way towards determining a victory which at times was put to question due to the concertina-like turn of events goalwise.

In fact, the Reds had several four- and three-goal advantages every time whittled down to bare minimum before a brace towards the end saved them the day. They were fully aware that they had conceded two consecutive draws at the death in previous matches.

It was all Neptunes in the first quarter as they guarded their fort diligently and made the most of their openings to take a four-goal lead. Still it was difficult to supply inviting balls to the centre at both ends especially for Sirens, and breakthroughs were more likely to come from well-drilled shots or acute lobs.

Although the Reds opened a five-goal lead, the Northerners showed improvement to pull back on 6-3 by the half-way stage.

Neptunes appeared to be in control as they twice distanced themselves by four goals on 8-4 and 9-5. But Dorian Pisani’s team cut the leeway to 9-7 before the Reds opened a three-goal gap on 10-7 with one session left.

The Reds may have been justified when betraying signs of apprehension when their 11-7 advantage was reduced to 11-10 with about five minutes remaining, and then to 13-12 (after they again took a three-goal lead) with 85 seconds left.

But two conversions by six-goal hero Lanzon and another from Edward Aquilina in those last seconds put Neptunes’ minds at rest.

Sirens, especially through Alex Attard and Clint Mercieca (five and three goals respectively) had proved competitive.

 

Sirens 12
Neptunes 15
(0-4, 3-2, 4-4, 5-5)

Sirens : J. Sammut, A. Attard 5, P. Micallef, P. Borg 1, A. Sammut, R. Mock, J. Borg, M. Grech, C. Zammit 2, L. Caruana, D. Zammit 1, C. Mercieca 3.

Neptunes : I. Bugeja, N. Lanzon 6, E. Aquilina 2, M. Stellini 1, Z. Mizzi, K. Debattista, J. Camilleri 4, T. Agius, B. Buhagiar, S. Gravina 1, G. Pace, B. Lanzon, M. Pisani 1.

Refs: R. Spiteri, A. De Raffaele.

San Ġiljan 9
Exiles 8
(1-1, 2-4, 5-0, 1-3)

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, J.C. Cutajar, A. Galea 1, K. Galea 2, M. Borg Spiteri 2, K. Dowling 2, L. Grixti, A. Bianchi, K. Mock, C. Gialanze 2, P. Fava, M. Fenech, K. Schembri.

Exiles: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, K. Rizzo Naudi, D. Pace Lupi 1, T. Sullivan 3, M. Calleja, J. Paris 1, K. Grixti 1, A. Zarb Cousin, S. Cini, S. Vassallo 1, D. Borg, K. Lanzon.

Refs: R. Spiteri, A. Farrugia.

Sliema 13
Asa Under-17 7
(5-2, 4-1, 3-1, 1-3)

Sliema: R. Coleiro, M. Spiteri Staines, N. Lubrano 3, P. Privitera 2, M. Fenech 1, J. Soler 2, D. Paolella 1, J. Spiteri Staines 1, C. Debono 1, C. Cluett 1, M. Rizzo 1, M. Agius, D. Abela.

ASA U-17: R. Leulen, M. Paris, K. Galea, A. Mifsud 1, E. Meli 1, K. Dowling 1, M. Fenech, K. Debattista, N. Portelli 1, D. Borg, L. Caruana, D. Zammit 3, M. Grech.

Refs: P. Giordano, S. Licari.