San Ġiljan have laid down an early marker after collecting maximum points in the first two rounds to gain valuable headstart over rivals Neptunes and Sliema at the summit of the top tier championship in the Premier Division.
Playing barely 48 hours after their victory over Neptunes and against minnows Birżebbuġa side San Ġiljan could have well afforded to rest some of his top players.
Yet, Dorian Pisani decided to put all his established players simultaneously in the water, underlining his intent to land silverware this season.
A nap hand of goals in the first two session sufficed as the Saints, mainly courtesy of Ben Plumpton and Andreas Galea, were firmly in control and easily beat the Southseasiders 15-6.
As the game went into the last two sessions, San Ġiljan’s rhythm slowdown as Pisani started playing musical chairs with the unit in his squad and with Birżebbuġa unable to pose any threat the Ballutta team could well afford to introduce his tailenders.
Leaving at least three of their top players in the water, San Ġiljan cruised to an expected win over Birżebbuġa which helped them top the standings at the end of the crossovers.
The first match on the card went the way of Valletta thanks to a 14-3 victory over Marsaxlokk.
The opening quarter provided the Citizens with a 5-0 flying start, a cushion they consolidated as the match unfolded.
Miguel Zammit shot to the top of the scorers’ list for Valletta when he scored six goals in his team.
VALLETTA 14
MARSAXLOKK 3
(5-0, 2-2, 2-0, 5-1)
VALLETTA: R. Sciortino, P. Borg 1, E. Aquilina 1, M. Stellini 1, A. Agius 1, R. Mock 1, D. Paolella, A. Bianchi 1, N. Farrugia, M. Zammit 6, K. Galea, N. Lanzon 2, T. Micallef
MARSAXLOKK: R. Coleiro, J. Portelli, M. Martellacci, L. Saliba, T. Agius, B. Lanzon, J. Galea 1, K. Cremona, S. Micallef 1, M. Pace, M. Cacici, O. Zammit 1, F. Buhagiar.
Referees: Mario Dalli, Alex De Raffaele.
SAN ĠILJAN 15
BIRŻEBBUĠA 6
(4-0, 4-1, 2-2, 5-3)
SAN ĠILJAN: J. Tanti, K. Tanti, A. Galea 3, D. Ciantar, M. Mannino, M. Zammit 1, B. Plumpton 4, J. Bonavia 1, Z. Micallef, Darren Zammit , P. Fava , Dino Zammit 3 , G. Vassallo, M. Ortoleva 3.
BIRŻEBBUĠA: M. Rossi, J. Farrugia , N. Cassar 1, D. Pace Lupi , C. Mifsud , P. Serracino 1, S.
Vassallo 2, D. Cutajar, M.Bonnici, M. Borg, R. Spiteri, S. Fava, M. Sladden, B. Grech 2.
Refs: Peter Balzan, Richard Magri.
OTTERS 9
TA’ XBIEX 9
(4-2, 3-2, 0-2, 2-3)
OTTERS: M. Xerri, M. Lanzon, R. Caruana, L. Hyzler 2, E. Meli, L. Gialanze 4, K. Scicluna, G. Izzo, D. Dimech, D. Zahra 2, D. Tully, S. Xerri, D. Spiteri, M. Caruana 1.
TA’ XBIEX: M. Vassallo 1, M. Mifsud 1, R. Greco, D. Rizzo, F. Cutajar, M. De Marco, M. Carani 3 , N. Saliba 2, K. Borg, G. Sammut 1, N. Schiavone , S. Azzopardi, M. Farrugia, J. Saliba 1.
Refs: Stefan Licari, Ronnie Spiteri,
