Neptunes maintained their flawless start to the BOV Summer League season by claiming an eighth consecutive victory, defeating arch-rivals Sliema 18-14 in a thrilling top-of-the-table clash.
The result preserved Neptunes’ unbeaten record while handing Sliema their first defeat after four successive victories.
Neptunes opened the scoring through Jordan Camilleri, but Sliema responded immediately as Dino Zammit and Jayden Cutajar turned the match in the Blues’ favour.
Steve Camilleri restored parity at 2-2 before Benji Cachia conceded a penalty, which Marko Zuvela converted confidently. Elijah Schembri then produced a clever finish, his shot bouncing off the water and looping beyond Matthew Castillo to level the score once again.
The momentum swung back in Neptunes’ favour as Julian Camilleri and Steve Camilleri struck in quick succession to establish a two-goal lead. However, Dino Zammit had the final say in the opening quarter, reducing the deficit to 5-4.
Steve Camilleri converted another penalty early in the second session to restore Neptunes’ two-goal cushion, but Sliema refused to allow the league leaders to pull away. Jake Cachia replied before Jake Bajada made it 7-5.
Francesco Di Fulvio converted a penalty after Mattias Azzopardi fouled Jake Cachia, yet Ivan Nagaev restored Neptunes’ two-goal advantage at 8-6.
Benji Cachia once again brought Sliema within a goal, but Zuvela answered with his second of the evening. The end-to-end contest continued as Jayden Cutajar replied for Sliema before Zuvela completed his hat-trick to ensure Neptunes carried a 10-8 advantage into half-time.
Neptunes emerged strongly after the interval. A perfectly weighted pass from Ivan Nagaev found Jordan Camilleri, who finished clinically to hand his side their first three-goal lead of the match.
Di Fulvio pulled one back, only for Azzopardi to immediately restore that advantage. Jake Cachia netted Sliema’s tenth goal before the Blues mounted another comeback.
Di Fulvio completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to reduce the gap, but Steve Camilleri responded with a penalty of his own. Zuvela then converted another five-metre throw to keep Neptunes in control, although Julian Chircop’s late strike ensured Sliema remained within touching distance at 14-12 heading into the final quarter.
The final period remained fiercely contested. Di Fulvio’s fourth goal cut the deficit to a single goal and briefly raised hopes of a Sliema comeback.
However, Steve Camilleri quickly restored Neptunes’ two-goal advantage before Zuvela’s fifth goal of the evening gave the league leaders valuable breathing space.
Dino Zammit fired home a powerful effort through a crowded defence to keep Sliema alive, but Neptunes continued to respond to every challenge. Ivan Nagaev converted yet another penalty to restore a three-goal cushion before Sam Gialanze sealed the victory from the penalty spot, stretching the margin to four goals for the first time in the match.
The final whistle confirmed an impressive 18-14 victory for Neptunes, who continue to set the pace at the top of the standings with eight wins from eight matches.
Sliema
B. Busuttil, Francesco Di Fulvio 4, G. Spiteri, J. Gambin, J. Cassar, Benji Cachia 1, Jayden Cutajar 2, D. Rizzo, Elijah Schembri 1, Jake Cachia 2, J. Chircop, Dino Zammit 3, M. Bonello Dupuis, S. Engerer, S. Busuttil.
Neptunes
Matthew Castillo, M. Lanzon, Sam Gialanze 1, L. Mallia, Jordan Camilleri 2, J. Valletta 1, Steve Camilleri 4, Ivan Nagaev 2, Mark Castillo, Jake Bajada 1, Mattias Azzopardi 1, Marko Zuvela 5, M. Rossi, A. Fava, H. Schramm.
Quarter scores: 4-5, 4-5, 4-4, 2-4.
Referees: R. D’Antoni and M. Alessandroni.
Sports Editor
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