Sliema McDonald's were not seriously troubled by Exiles Jet Services in yesterday's only match from the BOV Division One League despite having to pull away for a 14-11 victory towards the latter part of the game.

It had looked easy for them in the opening session before some casual play crept into their game. Exiles soon profited, only to suffer the killer goals with some minutes remaining although Sliema had always maintained their advantage by at least two goals.

The Blues, who missed the services of Paul Privitera, had a flying 5-2 start as they took most of their chances in the opening session.

After having their advantage slightly trimmed to 7-5, midway through the second session, the champions again mastered their opponents to open a momentarily 9-5 lead. However, Exiles fought back to 9-7 against a fumbling Sliema who only made it 10-7 with under three minutes to go from the end of the third quarter.

Again the Blues looked a trifle uneasy, especially with Exiles foreigner Aurelien Cousin tossing away a great chance to make it 10-8.

Two goals still separated the teams with two minutes and 50 seconds left as Mark Meli and Bogdan Rath scored two more to Exiles' three, one from Kayne Lanzon and two from Cousin.

Meli reached his poker with Clint Debono making it 14-10 late on only for Frenchman Cousin to score his fifth for a 14-11 scoreline.

Sliema are now two points ahead of Neptunes Emirates but the latter have a game in hand.

Summaries

Sliema 14
Exiles 11
(5-2, 4-3, 1-2, 4-4)

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabaretta 3, N. Lubrano, M. Spiteri Staines, M. Meli 4, J. Soler, D. Paolella 1, J. Brownrigg 1, C. Debono 3, A. Kunac, M. Rizzo, B. Rath 2, A. Bianchi.
Exiles: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, S. Vassallo, C. Bonca 1, T. Sullivan, J. Paris 1, A. Cachia, A. Zarb Cousin 1, A. Cousin 5, J. Fenech, S. Cini, K. Lanzon 2.
Referees: P. Balzan, S. Alfi.