President's Cup: Neptunes claim summer's first honour

Sliema McDonalds - 11     
Neptunes Emirates - 12
(2-4)(2-3)(4-4)(3-1)
 

A positive start had Neptunes opening up an opening session advantage, and they followed this up by extending their lead further till the interval, contrary to their previous match against Sliema, when they trailed badly.

The next period, after the break was well balanced, as both sides shared eight goals, with Sliema making a final effort in the last session, twice going to a goal behind, but they never could overhaul their opponents, with Neptunes playing out the last seconds of the match to secure their victory.

Sliema had Mark Meli in their ranks, for the first time this season, taking the place of Michael Spiteri Staines, and Neptunes played Gabriel Pace vice Zak Mizzi.

Sliema had a discreet man up situation, netting three times from five occasions. Neptunes were in better shape, missing just once from their half a dozen extra player in the water.

Neptunes were led by their captain, Nicky Lanzon, in their scoring, as he bagged a poker, with Steve Camilleri obtaining a hat trick, and the two foreigners grabbing a couple of goals each. Sliema had Bogdan Rath also with four strikes, and Rajmund Fodor and Daniel Paolella scoring a brace each.

After the match the ASA president, Joe Caruana Curran, presented the Super Cup to the Neptunes’ captain, Nicky Lanzon, for the first summer honour of the season.

Sliema:  R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta 1, N. Lubrano 1, R. Fodor 2, M. Meli 1, J. Soler,  D. Paolella 2, J. Brownrigg, C. Debono, P. Privitera, B. Rath 4, J. Spiteri Staines,  D. Abela

Neptunes:  I Bugeja, N. Lanzon 4, E. Aquilina, M. Stellini 1, J. Camilleri, G. Pace,  S. Camilleri 3, V. Gojkovic 2, B. Buhagiar, S. Gravina, R. Sciortino,  T. Molnar 2, M. Pisani

Refeees:  P. Balzan, S. Licari