Sirens 8 Exiles Elia Caterers 8

Partial scores: (2-1) (2-2) (2-2) (2-3)

A balanced match ending all square by the end of the fourth quarter, left Exiles 4 points ahead of their nearest rivals in the Premier WaterPolo league table when Marco Cuk’s team faced Sirens last Friday 3rd August.

It was a carbon copy of the first round encounter when the Northerners were always ahead of their opponents who were once ahead (5-4) inside the third minute of the third session when they recovered a two-goal deficit to a one goal advantage before Sirens regained the lead (7-6) six minutes from time. Sirens had their chances to edge away from Exiles but somehow failed to take advantage.

Marco Cuk’s plans were conditioned by two personal fouls against Exiles’ skipper Timmy Sullivan in the first two minutes of the game and had to reshuffle the team whilst Sullivan was spared on the bench. Unlike the previous outing, Exiles managed to feed the centre however, Sirens’ keeper Nicky Grixti was his usual self and inspiration to his defence.

The final score was considered as a fair one. Exiles equalized in the last 90 seconds (8-8) after a time-out was called after a Sirens exclusion. With just over a minute left, Sirens failed to find the net whilst Exiles tried to clinch the dramatic winner with their last possession without succeeding.

Man-ups for Exiles 7 of which 3 were converted. Sirens had 8 chances when playing six against five but managed to find the net 3 and missed the rest.

Marco Cuk made use of the following players: Matthew Castillo, Mark Fenech (1 goal), Andrea Bianchi, Michele Stellini, Timmy Sullivan (2 goals), Sean Xerri de Caro, Slobodan Nikic (1 goal), Kurt Grisct (1 goal), Nicky Paris (1 goal), Aurelien Cousin (1 goal), Benji Lanzon (1 goal) and Philip Paris.

The next match for Exiles in this hectic season is against Valletta United scheduled for Wednesday 8th August 2018 at 20.00 hours. in their last outing the pointless Citizens made San Giljan sweat to earn their three points with a gallant display. It was only in the fourth quarter that San Giljan broke away from their opponents.

KaFa

photo by Saviour Brincat shows Slobodan Nikic (blue cap) attempting at the Sirens’ goal tackled by Luke Caruana

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