With the start of the final round of the Wilkinson Sword Summer League around the corner, Sliema Burger King go into their first summer tiff with rivals Neptunes Vodafone badly needing a win to avoid falling further off the title pace.

Tomorrow evening's clash between Sliema and Neptunes is undoubtedly the pick of this weekend's four-match programme. It is also the second match between two of the big guns of Maltese waterpolo, coming less than a week after defending champions 2X Sirens prevailed 11-8 over Sliema.

While Sirens and Neptunes, who cantered to an easy 24-7 victory over Marsascala last weekend, have a maximum 10 points from their opening five matches, Sliema's defeat to the St Paul's Bay outfit left them two points adrift of the joint-leaders before their duel with Sergio Afric's men.

Last Sunday, Sliema looked to lack the collective acumen and resolve to survive the sound challenge put on by Sirens. Better teamwork is clearly a must for Sliema if they are to halt Neptunes' unbeaten start.

Coach Marco Manara will also demand a healthier return from man-up situations after Sliema missed out on six sets in a row. Hungarian player Tibor Benedek hit four of Sliema's eight goals against Sirens but the Blues will surely have realised that their powerful foreigner cannot carry the team through by himself.

Sliema's troubles to keep up with Sirens' cohesive play was in stark contrast with the ease with which Neptunes dismantled a hapless Marsascala Breakers. In that match, Steve Camilleri netted nine goals for Neptunes who have yet to be seriously tested this season. For them, the real business starts tomorrow.

Neptunes, the Winter League winners, and Sliema met twice in the warm-up competition. The Balluta Bay team won the first meeting 17-11 but the corresponding second round fixture saw Sliema blotting their rivals' perfect record, beating them 11-8.

Marsascala's jittery performances in the Preliminary Round mean that the race for the fourth slot in the top pool is wide open. In this respect, today's opening fixture between San Giljan Zara and Exiles looks to have all the ingredients for a balanced, combative encounter.

With San Giljan, Exiles and Marsascala all tied on four points, the winner of this encounter will make an important step towards landing the fourth and final berth among the elite.

Last weekend, San Giljan and Exiles obtained straightforward victories against Ta' Xbiex (15-4) and Marsaxlokk (10-4) respectively.

Sirens, who have been significantly strengthened by the acquisition of Hungarian Tamas Marcz, scorer of four goals against Sliema, are widely tipped to extend their winning run to six consecutive matches when they take on Marsascala in today's second match.

With no points from five matches, Marsaxlokk and Ta' Xbiex are expected to give their all to break their duck in their direct match tomorrow.

Today - 6.30 p.m. San Giljan vs Exiles; 7.45 p.m. Marsascala vs Sirens.

Tomorrow - 6 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Ta' Xbiex; 7.15 p.m. Sliema vs Neptunes.

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