Neptunes edge San Ġiljan 14–13 in tight water polo clash

Neptunes Best Gyms edged San Ġiljan MAA Daikin 14–13 in a water polo match that saw the winners labour to a single-goal margin against a depleted side. San Ġiljan's stands were deliberately left empty by supporters protesting disciplinary action stemming from an incident earlier in the week in a match against Sliema. During the pre-match presentation, San Ġiljan players turned their backs to the stands in a further act of protest.

The incident had led to one-month suspensions for Jake Tanti, Jake Bonavia, Ben Plumpton and Jeremy Abela, while captain Matthew Zammit also did not participate. San Ġiljan took the opening session 4–3, but Neptunes steadied in the second with a 4–2 victory and extended their lead by claiming the third 6–3. In the final session, the aggregate score stood at Neptunes 13, San Ġiljan 9.

San Ġiljan closed with a 4–1 burst to narrow the margin to one goal. Stevie Camilleri led Neptunes with five goals. J.

Camilleri and I. Nagaev each added three, M. Castillo contributed two and M.

Zuvela scored one. For San Ġiljan, former Neptunes player Jake Muscat, J. Marinic-Kragic and Dean Bugeja each scored hat-tricks, with additional goals from N.

Schiavone, N. Zammit, A. Fenech and L.

Dimech. San Ġiljan's squad: K. Manara (GK), J.

Muscat, J. Marinic-Kragic, N. Schiavone, R.

Caruana, G. Galea, J. Pace Tomeni, J.

Darmanin, T. Attard, N. Zammit, D.

Zammit, A. Fenech, A. Muscat, L.

Dimech, D. Bugeja. Neptunes' squad: M.

Castillo (GK), M. Lanzon, S. Gialanze, L.

Mallia, J. Camilleri, J. Valletta, S.

Camilleri, I. Nagaev, M. Castillo, J.

Bajada, M. Azzopardi, M. Zuvela, M.

Rossi, A. Fava, H. Shramm.