Cannella inspires Sliema to victory over fierce rivals Neptunes, San Ġiljan ease past Valletta

Hats off to Giacomo Cannella who led his colleagues in inimitable fashion to steal an early march on their arch-rivals Neptunes.

Italy’s loss seems to be Sliema’s gain as the Blues might have pulled off a transfer coup by opting for Cannella. The Pro-Recco player, who was left out of the Sette Bello selection for the Olympics, has helped Sliema in no small measure to tighten the noose around Neptunes whenever the Reds threatened to turn the tables on them

A three-goal start for the Blues with early goals from youngsters Jayden Cutajar, Daniel Rizzo and Elijah Schembri had Jordan Camilleri responding for Neptunes.

Jake Bajada netted early in the second session to cut the leeway to 3-2 before Cannella and John Brownrigg gave the Blues a three-goal lead before Dimitrii Kholod put his name on the scoresheet to change ends 5-3 for Sliema.

Goals were plentiful in the third quarter with Sliema stretching their lead by five goals as Cannella reached his hat-trick.

At one point, it was 10-5 for the team guided by Giannis Katrouzanakis before the Reds were nudged into some sort of awakening as they scored two goals in succession to trim the deficit to 10-7.

Steve Camilleri opened his account with a five-metre throw before Kholod flicked in another shot.

Although the Blues appeared to have an edge it was still everything to play for in the final session. The Reds had no option but to go full throttle as they trailed by three goals.

But Sliema, particularly Jayden Cutajar and Cannella, kept playing the tune as both players reached four goals. The Reds were full of fight as Camilleri twice and Jake Muscat cut the deficit. Yet, it was all downhill for the Blues in the final minutes, who went on to seal victory on 12-10.

Later, San Ġiljan put up a fine display to send Valletta reeling to a 22-15 loss on Wednesday.

There was little doubt about the Saints superiority. Their skipper Matthew Zammit oozed confidence as they fired on all cylinders perhaps for the first time this season, showing their true mettle.

Valletta duly summoned their aggressiveness to make their opponent fight for their spoils, however, deserved they were.

There was little in it at the beginning when eight goals were shared in an entertaining opening session. But after that, the scoreline was always conducted by the champions who opened an unassailable lead.

The Saints had more guns with Zammit in top form as their supply lines to the centre equally productive. On the other hand, Valletta at times were labouring to find an ideal shooting position, totally relying on Ivan Nagaev as they were always chasing the scoreline.

RESULTS

MARSAXLOKK    18

TA’ XBIEX            10

(4-3-4-4, 4-2, 6-1)

MARSAXLOKK: M. Farrugia, M. Lanzon 3, A. Cook 2, B. Zammit, A. Aquilina, J. Valletta 2, R. Spiteri, J. Pawley, R. Galea 5, J. Borg Tabone, F. Valera 4, R. Attard 1, A. Fava, S. Mifsud.

TA’ XBIEX: J. Micallef, J. Farrugia 1, V. Figliomeni, L. Grech Carr 1, F. Scardino 2, M. Jelaca 3, J. Saliba, A. Camenzuli 1, M. Soler, J. Culic 1, G Gatt, P. Tabone 1, A. Theuma, T. Fenech.

Refs: M. Giacchini, R. Spiteri.

SLIEMA      12

NEPTUNES 10

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

SLIEMA: N. Grixti, E. Schembri 2, L. Galea, J. Gambin, G. Cannella 4, B. Cachia, J. Cutajar 4, D. Rizzo 1, J. Brownrigg 1, A. Galea, Z. Mizzi, D. Zammit, M. Castillo, J. Cassar.

NEPTUNES: A. Borg Cole, D. Kholod 2, S. Gialanze 1, G. Pace, J. Camilleri 1, L. Mallia, S. Camilleri 4, M. Castillo, J. Muscat 1, J. Bajada 1, A. Fenech, E. Mallia, M. Rossi, D. Bugeja.

Refs:  M. Campora, M. Giacchini.

SAN ĠILJAN 22

VALLETTA     15

(6-4, 6-4, 4-3, 6-4)

SAN ĠILJAN: J. Tanti, N. Bugelli 1, D. Tully, R. Caruana 1, A. Younger 3, M. Zammit 4, J. Bonavia 1, J. Zammit, J. Abela 2, N. Zammit 4, D. Zammit 2, N. Schiavone 3, G. Borg, G. Bonavia 1.

VALLETTA: B. Busuttil, M. Mifsud 3, J. Sciberras 1, S. Busuttil 2, K. Borg 1, M. Zammit 2, I. Nagaev 5, S. Micallef 1, A. Agius, M. Chircop, K. Cremona, A. Bugeja, C. Mercieca.

Refs: P. Balzan, M. Giacchini.