Birżebbuġa produced a dominant display in the BOV Summer Knockout First Division on Friday, defeating Otters NIVEA 23-8, while Marsaskala Fish & Fish secured a narrow 15-14 victory over Marsaxlokk MFF Limited in a thrilling encounter.

Birżebbuġa took control from the opening whistle and established a 4-1 advantage by the end of the first quarter.

Marko Radulovic was the standout performer, scoring seven goals, while Miguel Curmi added three. Nicholas Bugelli, Miguel Cassar, Jake Abdilla, Jake Ciantar and Luca Axisa scored twice each.

Birżebbuġa increased their advantage in the second quarter, outscoring Otters 7-2 to take an 11-3 lead into half-time.

The third quarter followed a similar pattern, with Birżebbuġa scoring five times and conceding just once to move 16-4 ahead.

Otters improved in the final session, scoring four goals, but Birżebbuġa maintained their superiority and added seven more to complete a convincing 23-8 victory.

Andre Aquilina, Ben Grech, Max Aquilina and Rhys Bugelli were also on target for Birżebbuġa.

For Otters NIVEA, Giorgio Larosa scored three goals, while Matthew Farrugia contributed two. Kenneth Micallef, Isaac Azzopardi and Neil Cini also found the net.

The quarter scores were 4-1, 7-2, 5-1 and 7-4 in Birżebbuġa’s favour.

Marsaskala hold off Marsaxlokk comeback

Marsaskala Fish & Fish were involved in a much closer encounter against Marsaxlokk MFF Limited, eventually winning 15-14 after a dramatic final quarter.

The opening eight minutes produced an evenly balanced contest, with the teams level at 4-4.

Marsaskala moved ahead in the second quarter, scoring three goals to Marsaxlokk’s two and taking a 7-6 lead into the interval.

They extended their advantage in the third quarter, adding five goals while Marsaxlokk scored three, leaving Marsaskala 12-9 ahead with one quarter remaining.

Marsaxlokk produced a strong late response and reduced the deficit to two goals at 13-11. Marsaskala restored their three-goal advantage at 14-11, but Marsaxlokk continued to press and scored three further goals to move within one at 15-14.

Marsaskala held firm during the closing stages, however, and secured the one-goal victory.

Dimitrios Dimou led the Marsaskala scoring with four goals, while Jamie Pacemizzi scored three. Thomas Fenech, Matthew Soler and captain John Brownrigg contributed two goals each, with Philip Tabone and Thomas Camilleri also finding the net.

Marsaxlokk’s main threat was Nikola Bogdanovic, who scored an impressive six goals. Sean Mifsud and Jamie Borg Tabone added three apiece, while Jack Pawley and captain Enrico Mallia scored once each.

The quarter scores were 4-4, 3-2, 5-3 and 3-5, giving Marsaskala the final 15-14 victory.

The two matches produced contrasting encounters in the BOV Summer Knockout First Division, with Birżebbuġa recording a comprehensive victory over Otters NIVEA and Marsaskala surviving a determined Marsaxlokk fightback to claim a narrow win.