Derby rivals clash with record intact

Neptunes Vodafone are the only team in the BOV Winter League with three victories from as many matches so far. They top the standings with six points but Sliema McDonald's are lurking close behind with four points from two matches.

Today, the great rivals of local waterpolo will be involved in a direct clash, both sides looking to preserve their 100 per cent record to book an early slot in the play-offs.

The semi-final pairings will be determined according to the classification at the end of the round robin phase which comes to a close today week.

Neptunes are coming from a 10-7 victory over Exiles. Michele Stellini scored four goals in that victory for the Reds who started strongly but faded in the last two sessions, allowing Joe Caruana Dingli's valiant lads to get back into the reckoning.

Exiles are still without points from three outings but should be thinking of getting off the mark today when playing San Giljan. The latter, however, are on a high after beating the misfiring Sirens Hard Rock Cafe 11-8 last weekend.

This has been a testing period for Sirens who lost three times from as many matches in the Winter League.

Last year, Sirens won the competition for the third time after their successes of 1997 and 2001.