Champions Neptunes start with Exiles test

Neptunes Vodafone start their title defence with a match against Exiles Elle-et-Vire as the 2008 National League, this year with new sponsors Bank of Valletta, gets underway with the opening matches from the Preliminary Round today and tomorrow.

As has been the case in the past few years, the first stage of the championship is unlikely to produce any surprises as the main contenders for the four places in Division One have an edge over the rest. However, outsiders Exiles may have other ideas after a creditable showing in the Winter League.

This year, clubs are allowed to sign more than one foreign player after protracted discussions on the matter.

Now, teams can engage as many players from EU countries as they wish but only two can play at the same time during a match.

So far, none of the eight teams in competition has made an announcement on their new foreigners, with the list most likely to be finalised as the championship intensifies in the summer when the split between the Division One and Two teams is made.

Neptunes start the summer season on a high after winning the Winter League at the expense of Sliema McDonald's.

The Blues exacted a measure of revenge on their rivals last week when winning the President's Cup.

Sliema, KO winners last year, play against Marsascala Ocean and Sky in today's second match as San Ġiljan Tropicana, fourth in the Winter League, figure in the curtain-raiser against Marsaxlokk Freeport at 6.15 p.m.

Sirens Centro Casalinga had a rather shaky start in the Winter League but improved as the competition progressed to win the play-off for third place against San Ġiljan. Last week, Sirens beat the Saints 10-9 to clinch the Sportswriters Association Cup.

Programme: Today - 6.15 p.m. San Ġiljan vs Marsaxlokk; 7.30 p.m. Sliema vs Marsascala. Tomorrow - 5.15 p.m. Neptunes vs Exiles; 6.30 p.m. Sirens vs Ta' Xbiex.