Birżebbuġa were crowned BOV Knockout First Division champions after defeating Marsaskala Fish & Fish 20-13 in an entertaining final on Saturday.

The match was closely contested during the opening two quarters, but Birżebbuġa produced a decisive third-quarter performance to take control and ultimately secure the trophy.

Marsaskala made the better start, with Jake Simpson and Matthew Soler finding the net as they opened a 2-0 lead. Birżebbuġa responded through Nicholas Bugelli and Miguel Cassar, but Marsaskala ended the first quarter 2-1 ahead.

The second session produced a much more open contest, with both teams scoring five goals. Birżebbuġa repeatedly found a response whenever Marsaskala moved ahead, and the score was level at 5-5 before the champions moved into a 7-6 lead at the end of the half.

Birżebbuġa then took firm control in the third quarter.

They scored seven goals while conceding just one, turning their narrow half-time advantage into a commanding 14-7 lead with eight minutes remaining.

Marko Radulovic, who was one of Birżebbuġa’s key players throughout the competition, was among those to make an impact during the decisive spell.

Marsaskala responded strongly in the final quarter and managed to reduce the deficit, scoring six goals. Birżebbuġa, however, continued to find the net and held their advantage to complete a 20-13 victory.

Radulovic led Birżebbuġa’s scoring with six goals, while Mikhael Cutajar and Max Aquilina contributed three each. Nicholas Bugelli and Jake Ciantar scored twice, with Miguel Cassar, Jake Abdilla, Dwayne Farrugia and Rhys Bugelli also getting on the scoresheet.

Marsaskala’s Dimitrios Dimou was the match’s leading scorer with six goals. Kieran Grech added two, while Jake Simpson, Matthew Soler, Cjay Saliba, John Brownrigg and Marco Mannino scored once each.

The quarter scores were 1-2, 5-5, 1-7 and 6-6, giving Birżebbuġa a final 20-13 victory.

The result crowns Birżebbuġa as winners of the BOV Knockout First Division after a final in which their third-quarter surge ultimately proved decisive.