San Giljan 13 Exiles 7

Partial scores (4-0) (2-3) (4-2) (3-2)

Runaway leaders San Giljan made sure of the points in the first quarter (4-0) to keep Exiles at bay in last night’s encounter. After a balanced start, San Giljan scored three goals in the space of 90 seconds to take an early lead. In the second session Exiles fought back, winning the session 3-2 after the Saints widened the gap to five goals (6-1) two minutes from the end of the session before two quick goals from Exiles kept their slim hopes alive for a comeback to end the first half of the match (3-6) down.

The third session saw Exiles twice narrowing the deficit to two goals (4-6) and (5-7) at the four-minute stage before San Giljan piled another three goals without any reply to practically wrap up the match 10-5 before the start of the fourth and final session which ended (3-2) for our opponents for a final score of 13-7.

The team’s overall performance was commendable taking into account the strong opposition. When defending six against six, Exiles made San Giljan work harder to penetrate their fort. Exiles defended calmly as evidenced by the three exclusions suffered by the team throughout the encounter. The positioning in the attack was faster than the previous outings with ample time available to pass the ball around before potting or feeding the centre. Exiles downfall was their swimming back into a defending position when San Giljan regained possession. The Saints concluded a number of goals from breaks which the Exiles players failed to plug. All Exiles goals came when both teams were equal in the water. They were well taken and undoubtedly attracted the attention of the neutral observers in the stands. Better use was made of the players on the bench as they proved themselves in the minutes they were deployed. Quicker reflexes to serve to the centre when the San Giljan were not set in a defensive formation, could have reaped more goals. Marko Orlovic, San Giljan’s coach kept rotating the team, giving the promising youngsters the valuable experience to mould them for future editions.

Exiles had one man-up situation in the last minute of the match but failed to converted. San Giljan scored all the three extra man situations.

Dorian Pisani and his assistant Matthew Pisani once again made use of  ten players for this match- Matthew Calleja, Julian Rizzo Naudi, Michele Stellini (1 goal), Timmy Sullivan (1 goal), Sean Xerri de Caro, Slobodan Nikic (3 goals), Kurt Griscti, Nicky Paris (2 goals), Andrea Bianchi and Benji Lanzon.

Next encounter for Exiles is scheduled for Saturday 22nd July against Neptunes who face this match after a shocking defeat at the hands of Sirens over the week-end.

Swim-Up at 18.00 hours

KaFa

picture by Adrian Farrugia shows Exiles’ Slobodan Nikic (blue cap 7) attempting a shot at the San Giljan fort

Comments