Sliema and Ta' Xbiex both win

San Giljan Giuseppe’s - 11
Sirens Ritter Sports - 11
(6-2, (1-1), (1-4), (3-4)

The two Super Cups have now made way to the start of the K.O., where this season the games are being played on a double fixture. San Giljan and Sirens shared the spoils in this first match, leaving their second encounter wide open. Although the Saints suffered the game’s opening goal, they responded well, to take a 6-2 first session advantage. The two second period goals were shared, leaving San Giljan on a solid 7-3 lead.

The game then took a turn after the interval, when Sirens came to the fore, and went to within a goal of their adversaries, with the game going into the last session, on an 8-7 score. Sirens tied the score, but fell behind to a double Saints’ strike. Sirens rallied, to draw even again. San Giljan’s next goal was not enough, as Sirens ended the encounter on even terms, leaving Saturday’s return fixture still open.

The Saints had Karl Galea still in his golden patch, with five goals, and Filip Trajkovic netted a poker. San Giljan had Mark Borg Spiteri missing, with his place taken by Keith Galea.

Sirens made a change in one of their foreigners, with Csaba Kiss playing vice Balazs Nyeki, and with Goran Krstonosic returning after his injury. The latter ended up as the game’s top scorer, with six strikes.

As regards man ups, San Giljan were discreet, with three goals from seven expulsions, but Sirens must brush up their tactics on extra player occasions, failing to score from their three man ups.

San Giljan:  D. Camilleri, JC Cutajar, N. Sutic 2, K. Galea 5, F. Trajkovic 4, K. Dowling, L. Grixti, K. Galea, C. Gialanze, P. Fava, A. Galea, K. Schembri

Sirens:  J. Sammut, A. Attard 2, P. Micallef, P. Borg, C. Kiss 2, R. Mock, J. Borg, D. Cutajar, G. Krstonosic 6, C. Zammit 1, L. Caruana, D. Zammit, C. Mercieca

Referees:  M. Dalli, R. Colombo

3CX Exiles - 10  
Sliema McDonalds - 14

(3-2)(1-4)(3-3)(3-5)

Sliema will be taking a four goal cushion with them to the return match, next Tuesday, but they were made to fight hard, and it was only after a missed penalty, by Exiles’ marco Cuk, that Sliema drew away from tenacious opponents, to open up their advantage.

Sliema were without John Soler, with Michael Spiteri Staines taking his place. They were a goal behind after the opening session, but recovered till the interval, when they were leading 6-4. Exiles managed to share the exchanges after the break, with the Blues holding on to their double lead. Then came Cuk’s failed penalty shot, smashing against an upright, and Sliema broke away, for a healthier advantage.

Exiles had seven man ups in their favour, but they only converted three of them. Sliema were far more proficient, failing only once in their eight extra player occasions.

Despite his missed penalty, Cuk finished up as the game’s top scorer, with a poker of goals. Sliema had three players all on hat tricks, Jerome Gabarretta, Mark Meli and Bogdan Rath.

Exiles:  A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi 2, K. Rizzo Naudi, D. Pace Lupi 2, T. Sullivan 1, M. Calleja 1, M. Cuk 4, K. Griscti, A. Zarb Cousin, A. Cousin, J. Paris, A. Sciberras, K. Lanzon

Sliema:  R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta 3, N. Lubrano, R. Fodor 2, M. Meli 3, M. Spiteri Staines, D. Paolella 2, J. Brownrigg, C. Debono, P. Privitera 1, B. Rath 3, D. Abela

Refeees:  M. Angileri, R. Colombo

Ta Xbiex ASC - 16
Otters Nivea - 15
(3-4)(6-3)(2-4)(5-4)

A high scoring game ensued between these two modest sides, with both sides alternating in winning their sessions. Ta Xbiex had a match winner in Tamas Gyrovath, when he put in a total of nine goals, and Yuri Szeles grabbing a hat trick, although he too was guilty in missing a penalty, ably saved by Joe Cremona in the Otters’ goal. The Gozitans had a new foreigner, Hungarian, Marko Balatoni, in place of Adam Maklari, and he duly obliged with four strikes, along with Zoltan Radocz.

Ta Xbiex scored in three of their five man ups, and Otters, with a total of ten favourable expulsions, managed to score in six of them.

The last session was decisive for Ta Xbiex, although Otters pulled back to just a goal behind at the end.

The return match is also on for next Tuesday.

Ta Xbiex:  L. Borg, M. Paris, S. Vassallo, D. Borg, C. Cluett 2, T. Gyrovath 9, E. Bonello, M. Cordina 2, M. Spiteri, R. Attard, B. Muscat Dougall, Y. Szeles 3

Otters:  J. Cremona, G. Attard 2, G. zammit, Z. Radocz 4, D. Schembri 1, K. Scicluna 2, M. Balatoni 4, S. Dimech 2, G. Tabone, M. Dimech, S. Xerri, G. Xuereb, K. Grima Scott

Refeees:  S. Licari, R. Spiteri