Saints make first showing against Neptunes

This afternoon, Division Two champions San Giljan will make their first appearance in this year's Wilkinson Sword Winter League.

At the National Pool, the Saints face neighbours Neptunes, the Reds boosted by their previous fine showing on the opening day of the 'warm-up' competition.

Today's fixture will be an ideal barometer for San Giljan to gauge how far they can go this year as they meet a side that have already made their intentions clear with an overwhelming 17-11 victory over fierce rivals Sliema last weekend.

Like most of the other teams, San Giljan, now under the stewardship of seasoned coach Guzi Attard, are using the Winter League as a build-up for the summer championship after winning promotion in 2005.

Today's opening match should offer Sliema the opportunity to regain some lost pride when they face modest Marsaxlokk, beaten by Sirens 19-2 in their first match.

Last week, Marco Manara's Blues seemed to struggle to match the physical fitness of Neptunes. After holding their own in the opening phase of the derby, Sliema tired out before conceding defeat.

Apparently, the new FINA rule of increasing a session's duration from seven to eight minutes has already started to leave its toll.

It will be interesting to see how Maltese waterpolo teams will manage to adapt themselves to this and other rules that were introduced into the game on our shores as from the start of this Winter League.