Exiles 10 Sirens 10

(1-3) (5-3) (3-1) (1-3)

Exiles had a slow start with the first two attacks blocked with contra fouls. Sirens could have taken an early lead after the first quarter but failed to score a penalty  30 seconds to the end of the session when Ian Bugeja saved  off Csaba Kiss. Exiles had three man-up opportunities to level  but scored their first goal at their third attempt. Evident was the shoddy passing which was cost dearly to the team The second session saw Exiles suffer three expulsions and another penalty which Christian Presciutti converted. The tempo of the match picked up and the sharp finishing in the Exiles’ attacks contributed to the forging ahead of the team for the first time (5-4) as the session was won 5-3 to end up all square at 6-6 at the half-way mark.

The third session was initially dominated by Exiles as they increased their lead to three (9-6) thanks to a solid defence and astute shadowing of their opponents’ main spearheads forcing the other Sirens players to take the final shot. A second major foul for Gergely Katonas resulted in Sirens reducing the margin to two before the start of the final session. Gergely’s definite send-off two minutes into the quarter had a demoralizing effect on our boys as their lead shrunk to a slender goal. James Spiteri Staines put Exiles back in the driving seat from a man-up and after two minutes of play, Sirens missed another penalty  to give further hope of taking the full points. It was not to be as two quick goals by Sirens settled the game for a fair draw result.

Throughout the encounter the team suffered controversial and inconsistent decisions which no doubt had a bearing on the final outcome. Notwithstanding this, there was however a turning point in my view in the last session when a time-out was called by Exiles’ mentor Maurizio Mirarchi after the exclusion of a Sirens player with the score 10-8 in our favour. A better handling of the ball was expected as it was fumbled in the second pass to cause an expulsion of the player receiving the bad pass  and pave way for another goal for our opponents.

Mirarchi made use of the following players Ian Bugeja, Julian Rizzo Naudi (1 goal), Simon Vassallo, David Pace Lupi (3 goals), Gergerly Katonas (3 goals), Diego Borg, James Spiteri Staines (1 goal), Kurt Griscti, Luka Sekulic (1 goal). Peter Borg (1 goal) and Kayne Lanzon.

Exiles suffered 9 expulsions (4 goals conceded) and 3 penalties (one converted). They had 6 man-up situations  2 of which were converted and one converted penalty.

Next match is on Saturday 2nd August at 19.30 when Exiles take up current champions Neptunes.

Kafa

photo by Adrian Farrugia

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