Kristjan Culina scored seven goals as Neptunes defeated Sliema 14-9, while San Giljan produced a dominant final quarter to overcome Sirens 16-11 in Saturday’s President’s Cup action.
Neptunes entered their meeting with Sliema looking to respond to their midweek defeat against Sirens and made the perfect start. Culina completed an early hat-trick as the Reds raced into a commanding 5-0 lead before Alberto Barroso finally opened Sliema’s account late in the first quarter.
Jayden Cassar reduced the deficit to three at the beginning of the second period, briefly offering Sliema hope of a recovery. Neptunes, however, quickly regained control through goals from Luigi Mallia, Sam Gialanze, Jake Bajada and Culina.
Barroso and Elijah Schembri attempted to keep the Blues within reach, but Neptunes remained firmly in command and carried a 9-4 advantage into half-time.
Culina continued to cause problems after the interval, while Gialanze and Mallia also played important roles in extending the lead. The Croatian eventually took his personal tally to seven as Neptunes moved 14-6 ahead.
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Sliema finished the match positively, with Cassar and Jake Cachia scoring three unanswered goals in the closing stages, but the result was already beyond doubt. The 14-9 victory provided a convincing response from Neptunes following their opening President’s Cup setback.
Gialanze contributed three goals and Mallia scored twice for the winners. Barroso led Sliema’s attack with four goals, while Cassar and Cachia both finished with two.
In the earlier match, San Giljan pulled away during the final quarter to secure a 16-11 victory against Sirens.
Sirens had entered the contest with confidence after beating Neptunes during the week and remained competitive throughout the opening three periods. San Giljan led 4-3 after the first quarter and carried an 8-6 advantage into the half-time break.
Daniel Angyal was at the heart of Sirens’ challenge, scoring four goals and providing a consistent threat to the Saints’ defence. Sirens remained within one goal heading into the final period, leaving the contest finely balanced.
San Giljan then took complete control. Jake Bonavia, Alec Fenech, Jeremy Abela and goalkeeper Jake Tanti scored four unanswered goals as the Saints shut out Sirens during the closing quarter.
Tanti provided the most memorable moment of the match, scoring from his own goal area after Sirens had left their net unguarded in search of a late response.
Fenech finished as San Giljan’s leading scorer with four goals, while Nikolai Zammit added three. Abela and Matthew Zammit both scored twice as the Saints secured an important 16-11 victory.
The two results leave San Giljan and Neptunes celebrating crucial wins, while Sliema and Sirens will look to respond in the next round of President’s Cup fixtures.
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