SLIEMA NEXAWIN………….. 19
SAN ĠILJAN MAA DAIKIN…. 18
(5-4), (4-4), (6-5), (4-5)
It was a closely contested and evenly balanced match, but one that ended in controversy. Sliema Nexawin emerged 19-18 winners over San Ġiljan MAA Daikin to move into sole possession of second place. San Ġiljan were once again without Jake Tanti, Jake Bonavia, Ben Plumpton and Jeremy Abela, while Sliema were missing Liam Galea, with all five players serving suspensions throughout this month for betting charges.
The lead changed hands several times during the opening session before Sliema edged ahead 5-4 thanks to a goal by Benji Cachia. The two sides continued to trade blows in the second session, with the margin never exceeding one goal as Sliema maintained their slender advantage.
Sliema opened up a slight cushion in the third session and, with three minutes remaining, led 13-11. Matthew Zammit reduced the deficit, but back-to-back goals from Alberto Barroso and Jayden Cassar restored Sliema’s three-goal advantage at 15-12. Many expected San Ġiljan to fade away, but they produced an impressive response, drawing level at 16-16 by the midway point of the final session. They twice equalised again after Sliema regained the lead before the decisive moment arrived with just 18 seconds remaining.
Referee Fabio Brasiliano awarded a penalty for what he judged to be a foul by Russell Caruana, a decision that sparked furious protests from the San Ġiljan players and supporters. Barroso converted the decisive penalty, and in the ensuing attack San Ġiljan appealed for a penalty of their own. However, Marinic-Kragic opted to shoot immediately instead of taking advantage of the extra-man situation.
After the final whistle, San Ġiljan’s protests continued, with the Italian referee requiring a security escort after objects were thrown in his direction. It was an unfortunate ending to what had otherwise been a fiercely contested and evenly matched encounter.
Sliema: B. Busuttil, A. Barroso (6), G. Spiteri, J. Gambin, J. Cassar (1), B. Cachia (3), J. Cutajar (4), D. Rizzo, E. Schembri (2), J. Cachia (1), J. Chircop, D. Zammit (1), M. Bonello Du Puis, S. Engerer (1), S. Busuttil
San Ġiljan: K. Manara, J. Muscat (3), J. Marinic-Kragic (5), N. Schiavone, R. Caruana, M. Zammit (2), C. Cassar Bellante, I. Cuschieri, L. Fava, N. Zammit (3), D. Zammit (2), A. Fenech (1), A. Muscat, L. Dimech, D. Bugeja (2)
Referees: Massimo Angileri, Fabio Brasiliano
In other games Neptunes won 14-12 against Sirens and from the first division Birżebbuġa won easily against Otters.
SIRENS BUILD FITNESS…… 12
NEPTUNES BEST GYMS…… 14
(2-6), (2-3), (6-3), (2-2)
Sirens: N. Grixti, D. Angyal (6), A. Galea, G. Pace (1), J. Zerafa Gregory, K. Agius, M. Ortoleva, I. Riolo (1), P. Serracino, M. Sciberras (1), Z. Mizzi, G. Farrugia (1), A. Theuma, M. Mifsud (1), A. Dimech (1)
Neptunes: M. Castillo, M. Lanzon, S. Gialanze (1), L. Mallia, J. Camilleri (1), J. Valletta (2), S. Camilleri (4), I. Nagaev (4), M. Castillo, J. Bajada, M. Azzopardi, K. Culina (2), M. Rossi, A. Fava, H. Shramm
Referees: Antonio Guarracino, Stefan Licari
L-EWWEL DIVIŻJONI
BIRŻEBBUĠA………….. 26
OTTERS NIVEA…………12
(8-3), (7-3), (6-5), (5-1)
Birżebbuġa: M. Sladden, J. Falzon, M. Cassar (1), J. Abdilla (1), J. Ciantar (3), M. Manara (1), M. Radulovic (7), A. Aquilina (1), D. Farrugia (4), M. Cutajar, M. Aquilina (6), M. Curmi (1), S. Livori, L. Axisa (1), R. Bugelli
Otters: M. Grech, D. Camilleri, K. Scicluna, K. Micallef, J. Bugeja (3), D. Dimech, I. Azzopardi (1), S. Dimech, A. Azzopardi (1), G. La Rosa (4), M. Farrugia (3), N. Cini, C. Borg, N. Camilleri, N. Rafailovic
Referees: Fabio Brasiliano, Juana Cauchi
Premier table after 4 games:
Neptunes 12, Sliema 9, Sirens 6, San Ġiljan 6, Exiles 3, Valletta 0
First Division Table after 4 games:
Birżebbuġa 12, Ta’ Xbiex, Marsaxlokk, Marsaskala 6, Otters, Barracudas 0
Next games – Froday 10th July 2026:
First Div: Marsaskala v Ta’ Xbiex 6.00pm, Barracudas v Birżebbuġa 7.15pm
Premier: Valletta v Sirens 8.30pm
