The four teams in the 7-Up national league enter the final straight this weekend with leaders Go Mobile Sirens facing Marsascala Breakers today. Tomorrow, champions Sliema Burger King come up against eternal rivals Neptunes Vodafone.

Sirens are enjoying a two-point lead over Sliema but in Marsascala today they are likely to encounter another daunting task as, it must be remembered, the last time these two teams met a fortnight ago, the south seasiders emerged 7-5 winners in a match that matured only in the final session after strict parity had been maintained during the first three sessions.

Marsascala that day had managed to control the undoubted danger the Sirens' captain Jonathan Valletta could create. But Joe Attard, coach to the northerners' side, will not be caught napping this time and he must have already devised a plan to counter any similar ploy his counterpart Pierre Borg at Marsascala would instruct his players to follow.

Incidentally, that game was the last one the south seasiders had won as they were subsequently emphatically beaten by Neptunes (9-3) and Sliema (11-5). On the other hand, Sirens drew with nearest challengers Sliema (7-7) and beat Neptunes 7-4.

The match starts at 6.30 p.m. and is preceded by the Division Two match between Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise and Marsaxlokk Freeport at 5.30 p.m.

Although mathematically Neptunes and Marsascala are still with a chance of claiming the title, both sides need a miracle to eventually oust Sirens and Sliema from the race at this late stage.

For such a turn-up to happen, Sirens have to lose their remaining three matches (leaving them on 19 points) and Sliema beat Sirens to go up on equal points with the present league leaders. Then, whoever wins the match between Neptunes and Marsascala (provided that they beat Sliema and Sirens), could be declared winners. And if the latter teams draw their direct encounter, then a decider between the four teams would become necessary... a very distant possibility though.

The Sliema-Neptunes encounter tomorrow is bound to offer another heart-throbbing match.

Sliema have beaten Neptunes in their two previous matches this season by the same 9-8 scoreline but the Reds' performance, especially in the preliminary round match, left much to be desired.

In the first round match, Neptunes showed a slight improvement over their previous meeting, but were still unable to overcome the Blues, that day without the suspended Mark Galea Pace and coach Sergio Afric.

Both sides are replete with talented players but what Neptunes cannot match Sliema for is the outstanding commitment the Blues manage to infuse in their play. This has been the Balluta Bay side's undoing many a time when these rivals met.

Prior to this match which starts at 6.30 p.m., Otters meet Exiles RMF in a Division Two match starting at 5.30 p.m.

Today - 5.30 p.m. Ta' Xbiex vs Marsaxlokk; 6.30 p.m. Marsascala vs Sirens.

Tomorrow - 5.30 p.m. Otters vs Exiles; 6.30 p.m. Sliema Burger King vs Neptunes Vodafone.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.