NEPTUNES 13
SAN GILJAN 16
(2-2, 4-4, 4-6, 3-4)
In a pulsating encounter that swung like a pendulum from start to finish, San Ġiljan edged rivals Neptunes 16-13 in a waterpolo spectacle packed with drama, controversy, and relentless intensity.
With the stars on both sides delivering standout performances, it was the Saints’ composure in key moments – and clinical finishing – that ultimately sealed a hard-fought victory in one of the season’s most gripping matches as they have confirmed themselves to be Sliema’s major rivals for this year’s honours.
The match began in scintillating fashion, with early controversy as Neptunes protested a decision by referee Antonio Guarracino, who penalised Jordan Camilleri for a ball-under infringement.
Capitalising on the turnover, San Ġiljan quickly transitioned forward, allowing Nikolai Zammit to open the scoring.
Despite taking the lead, San Ġiljan struggled to execute during man-up situations, squandering their first three extra-player opportunities.
Neptunes made them pay, equalising through a brilliant square pass from Julian Valletta at position 5 to an unmarked Gergo Zalánki in position 6.
The action remained intense, with both teams converting from the five-metre mark – Aaron Younger putting San Ġiljan ahead 2-1 before Zalánki responded once more to level the score.
Neptunes showcased excellent teamwork at the start of the second session, stringing together passes between four players before Valletta – again the provider, this time from position 1 – picked out Jake Bajada in position 5, who finished clinically.
San Ġiljan responded swiftly with a more direct approach, as Russell Caruana netted the equaliser.
More controversy soon followed when referee Alex Degabriele penalised Jake Tanti for making contact with Jake Bajada’s arm – a decision that sparked protests from the San Ġiljan bench.
From the resulting penalty, Stevie Camilleri made no mistake, restoring Neptunes’ lead at 4-3.
But once again, San Ġiljan hit back immediately, with Younger converting another five-metre throw to level the score.
Under the sharp instructions of coach Aleksandar Ćirić, back on the Neptunes bench, Gergo Zalánki adjusted his position, shifting from 5 to 4 before rifling a diagonal shot past Tanti.
Camilleri then produced a moment of brilliance, squeezing the ball between the post and the goalkeeper with barely any space to work with.
However, Jeremy Abela came to San Ġiljan’s rescue, finishing from close range to make it 6-5. The drama continued as Dean Bugeja – another former Neptunes player – restored parity with a shot that bounced in off the post.
San Ġiljan picked up right where they left off.
Jake Bonavia, from position 1, delivered a precise pass across to position 6, where Matthew Zammit rose out of the water to tip the ball home.
Younger then gave the Saints their first two-goal cushion of the match. However, Gergo Zalánki responded for Neptunes with another sharp finish to cut the deficit to 8-7.
Younger, in fine form, struck again with a powerful effort that Zalánki could only deflect into his net.
At the other end, a double intervention by Matthew Castillo during a man-down situation proved crucial in keeping Neptunes afloat.
His brother, Mark Castillo, then made it 9-8 with a vital goal.
San Ġiljan continued to make the most of their flank play, with Jeremy Abela
launching himself out of the water to meet Nikolai Zammit’s pass and fire home for 10-8.
Younger extended the lead further as Neptunes lost two key players –Mathias Azzopardi and Sam Gialanze – who each picked up their third exclusion.
Despite the setback, Stevie Camilleri kept Neptunes in contention by completing his hat-trick.
However, defensive lapses proved costly as San Ġiljan exploited the same pattern once more – Zammit from position 5 feeding Darren Zammit for a simple tap-in.
With just 33 seconds left in the third session, Jake Bajada pulled one back for Neptunes to make it 12-10.
Zalánki scored his fifth goal of the evening, keeping Neptunes within touching distance.
But Ben Plumpton responded promptly, re-establishing San Ġiljan’s two-goal advantage as the back-and-forth rhythm of the game continued.
Jordan Camilleri struck just before the buzzer to make it 13-12, capitalising on a late opportunity as San Ġiljan suffered a setback with the exclusion of their captain, Matthew Camilleri, after picking up his third major foul.
Still, the Saints were undeterred. Nikolai Zammit, tireless throughout, was finally rewarded for his efforts with his second goal of the night.
Zalánki once again gave Neptunes a lifeline, reducing the gap to 14-13 with under two and a half minutes remaining.
But San Ġiljan responded at a decisive moment, converting a man-up situation through Zammit, who coolly restored the two-goal lead.
Moments later, Younger, another key figure for San Ġiljan, was sent off after accumulating three fouls – leaving the Saints without a major presence in both attack and defence.
Yet, Neptunes couldn’t capitalise.
Instead, Jake Tanti punished their flat-out approach with a lofted, pinpoint pass that found Plumpton one-on-one with Castillo. He made no mistake, sealing a 16-13 victory for San Ġiljan.
NEPTUNES: M. Castillo, S. Gialanze , G. Zalanki 6, L. Mallia, J. Camilleri 1, J. Valletta , S. Camilleri 3 , M. Castillo 1, B. Schranz, J. Bajada 2, A. Fenech , M. Azzopardi, M. Rossi, E. Mallia
SAN ĠILJAN: J. Tanti, D. Bugeja 1, D. Tully, R. Caruana 1, A. Younger 5, M. Zammit1, J. Bonavia, B. Plumpton 2, J. Abela 2, N. Zammit 3, D. Zammit 1, N. Schiavone, Z. Attard, G. Bonavia.
Refs: A. DeRaffaele, A. Guarracino.
OTHER RESULTS
FIRST DIVISION
MARSASKALA 15
MARSAXLOKK 22
(4-6, 3-6, 2-4, 6-6)
MARSASKALA: A. Muscat, D. Ciantar, T. Fenech 1, J. Pace Mizzi 1, N. Spiteri, R. Greco, M. Agius, G. Kovacs 9, K. Grech 2, G. Sammut 1, M. Curmi 1, T. Camilleri, L. Gatt, N. Rizzo.
MARSAXLOKK: J. Micallef, M. Lanzon 3, N. Bogdanovic 8, A. Aquilina, R. Spiteri, L. Montebello Browrig 1, S. Mifsud, J. Pawley, R. Galea 4, J. Borg Tabone 3, A. Fava, A. Cook 2, M. Brimmer, J. Cauchi.
BARRACUDAS 4
BIRŻEBBUĠA 13
(0-3, 3-2, 1-5, 0-3)
BARRACUDAS: A. Micallef, L. Bowman, L. Schiavone, N. Farrugia 1, J. Schembri Young, S. Apap, M. Abdilla, L. Pursehouse 1, M. Guidi, I. Schembri, J. Dimech 1.
BIRŻEBBUĠA: M. Sladden, M. Aquilina 2, M. Cassar 1, N. Bursac 2, J. Ciantar 3, I. Galea, J. Abdilla, N. Saliba, D. Farrugia, M. Cutajar 1, M. Mannino 2, N. Bugelli 1, S. Livori, J. Saliba.
