Exiles win thriller, Sirens march on against Ta' Xbiex

Exiles Jet Services 10 San Giljan Firetech 8

(3-1), (4-1), (1-2), (1-4)

In a thrilling match of waterpolo on a hot summer morning, Exiles Jet services sprang one of the surprises of the season be defeating San Giljan Firetech 10-8. Exiles created a five goal advantage in the first three sessions with Bonca, Cousin and Paris profiting from some sloppy defending.

San Giljan came back strongly in the final session through Spiteri Debarro, Toth and Nossec but somehow could not regain the deficit with Exiles scoring a solitary goal and practically securing a famous victory which now tilts the balance in favour of Sliema and Neptunes in the fight for the BOV Summer League.

Exiles Jet Services: Borg Cole A, Rizzo Naudi J, Vassallo S, Bonca C F (2), Sullivan T (1), Calleja M (1), Paris J (1), Grixti K, Zarb Cousin A (1), Cousin A (2), Fenech J, Cini S (1), Lanzon K (1)

San Giljan Firetech: Camilleri D, Spiteri Debarro C (2), Pace M, Galea K, Gialanze C, Dowling K, Nossec H (1), Bianchi A, Aquilina E, Scerri R, Fava P, Toth M (5), Schembri K

Referees: Dalli M, Angileri M

Sirens Ritter Sports 20 Ta’ Xbiex Mermaids Paradise 13

(5-3), (5-3), (5-4), (5-3)

In the second game of the morning, Sirens had to fight hard to overcome some stiff resistance from Ta’ Xbiex who after disappointing performances in their first three matches, put up a much better fight. In fact after going down 5-0 during the first session, Ta’ Xbiex fought back with three goals from Cachia, Caruana and Gabriel. The second session also finished 5-3 with Varga keeping Sirens ahead but Ta’ Xbiex’s Gyrovath was also in the mix with two goals.

The third session also saw Ta’ Xbiex put up a fight, where they scored 4 to Sirens’ 5 with Gyrovath and Vasovic again in evidence with regular goals. Curiously the final session also finished 5-3 with Sirens notching up a 20-13 victory although Ta’ xbiex were much improved and could take heart from their performance.

Sirens Ritter Sports: Sammut J, Attard A (1), Caruana L, Borg P (1), Spiteri Staines J, Mock R, Varga T (7), Cutajar D (1), Borg J (3), Zammit C, Vasovic Y (4), Zammit D (1), Mercieca C (2)

Ta’ Xbiex Mermaids Paradise: Xuereb A, Cachia S (1), Caruana D (1), Farrugia A, Lubrano GL, Bugeja C, Tabone J, Bonello E, Gabriel D (4), Galea A (3), Azzopardi I, Spiteri M, Gyrovath T (4)

Referees: Spiteri R, Licari