Sirens Hard Rock Cafe will start their Winter League title defence with a tough match against Sliema McDonald's this evening at the National Pool in Tal-Qroqq.

Sirens won the title in 2007, their third since the competition was introduced by the ASA way back in 1994, after a dramatic finale to the tournament. Last year, the team from St Paul's Bay battled hard to beat San Giljan 7-6 while the other team still in contention for the title, Sliema, went down 11-8 to rivals Neptunes Vodafone.

As from this year the championship will have new sponsors - the Bank of Valletta.

Their backing will guarantee the running of a vast and concentrated programme of activities on the calendar of the Aquatic Sports Association this year.

Five teams are taking part in the 2008 Winter League. Sirens will be facing the challenge of Neptunes, Sliema, San Giljan and Exiles for their crown.

An innovation this time will be the play-offs after the preliminary stage which will decide the first four places and the berths in the semi-finals.

The first-placed team after the round robin stage will face the fourth-placed while the second and third teams in the standings will play each other. The last day of the Winter League championship, May 25, will be reserved for classification matches.

Maltese referees will be in charge of all matches.

Past winners

1994 Neptunes; 1995 San Giljan; 1996 Sliema; 1997 Sirens; 1998 Sliema; 1999 Sliema; 2000 Neptunes; 2001 Sirens; 2002 Neptunes; 2003 Neptunes; 2004 Neptunes; 2005 not held; 2006 Neptunes; 2007 Sirens.