Sirens produced a remarkably gritty display of waterpolo to surprise their illustrious opponents Neptunes.
Indeed, this was a victory that should give heart to Ranko Perovic, the Sirens coach, whose young boys executed his tactical plan to perfection in the water.
This match was conducted by the northerners score wise. The Reds kept neutralising their advantage until the last session when Sirens showed remarkable resilience and battling spirit to outsmart their opponents.
In the first session, Neptunes took an early lead through Steve Camilleri with Sirens equalising soon afterwards.
Balance prevailed with Sirens levelling for a 3-3 scoreline at the end of the first session. It had been very close with no quarter given.
Into the second session, all-pitch press still prevailed. Sirens won a penalty to take a 4-3 advantage with Daniil Merkulov. Two quick goals from Jake Muscat re-established some order before Jake Cachia’s accurate shot kept Sirens in front.
Ends were changed with Sirens 7-6 ahead and everything to play for.
Merkulov made it 8-6 with another penalty. Muscat reached his hat-trick before Camilleri’s perfect lob restored parity.
Peter Borg’s accurate sizzler gave Sirens the advantage for the fifth time. But Dmitrii Kholod made it 9-9.
In the last session, Sirens’ superior fighting qualities emerged as Merkulov, Isaiah Riolo and Gianni Farrugia scored in quick succession to give Sirens a three-goal cushion.
Kholod hit home from an angle and Muscat added one more. It was to no avail as Sirens remained firmly in control to surprise their opponents 13-11.
In the second match, Sliema gave Exiles a flimsy goal-start before completing the formalities with a huge 24-6 win over their hapless opponents.
Sliema took no time to translate their superiority over their neighbours into goals. The difference between the two sides was evident even though the score after the opening two sides was 10-3.
Giannis Katrouzanakis’ side put the accelerator in the third session to build a 17-4 advantage.
The gap between the teams was such that Sliema goalkeeper Nicky Grixti was shelved after the opening two sessions to give way to former Exiles custodian Matthew Castillo.
There was no respite in their scoring rate in the last session as Sliema increased their tally to register an emphatic win.
Likewise, Valletta’s edge on Barracudas was unquestionable in the first match.
Their superior team play was sparked by Ivan Nagaev who netted 15 goals.
Joe Cremona’s boys took their foot off the pedal in the last session.
Still, they managed to register the biggest win of the season.
BARRACUDAS 5
VALLETTA 26
(2-6, 1-8, 0-8, 2-4)
BARRACUDAS: C. Borg, C. Bugeja, N. Farrugia, P Micallef , W. Ruggier 1, R. Scriotino, N. Rizzo , J. Schembri, S. Apap 1, M. Guidi 2, L. Pursehouse, C. Saliba 1, L. Bowman, J. Erdogan
VALLETTA: B. Busuttil, M. Mifsud 4, J. Sciberras 2 , S. Busuttil, K. Borg 2, M. Zammit 1, I. Nagaev 15, S. Micallef 1 , A. Agius , M. Chircop 1, K. Cremona, A. Bugeja, C. Mercieca
Refs: J. Cauchi, A. Carrer.
EXILES 6
SLIEMA 24
(0-7, 3-3, 1-7, 1-7)
EXILES: Z. Dzanovic, Z. Licari Cutajar, Z. Micallef, D. Pace Lupi, M. Martellacci, D. Gogov 5, K. Griscti, N. Paris, N. Bonavia, M. Fenech 1, N. Saliba , G. Galea Curmi, M. Paris
SLIEMA: N. Grixti, Z. Mizzi, L. Galea 4, J. Gambin 2, E. Schembri 4, B. Cachia 3, J. Cutajar 3, A. Galea 2, S. Engerer 1, D. Zammit 3, M. Castillo, J. Cassar 2
Refs: A. DeRaffaele, M. Berni,
NEPTUNES 11
SIRENS 13
(3-3, 3-4, 3-2, 2-4)
NEPTUNES: A. Borg Cole, D. Kholod 2, S. Gialanze, G. Pace 1, J. Camilleri, L. Mallia, S. Camilleri 4, M. Castillo, J. Muscat 4, J. Bajada, A. Fenech, E. Mallia, M. Rossi D. Bugeja.
SIRENS: M. Bonello Depius, P. Serracino , K. Erdogan , P. Borg 1 , J. Cachia 3 , K. Agius, D. Merkulov 3, I. Riolo 1, J. Zerafa Gregory , G. Farrugia 3 , M. Sciberras , M. Azzopardi 1, J. Parnis, J. Chircop 1.
Refs: R. Spiteri, A. Carrer.
