Top four on collision course

Interest in the 2008 BOV National League is expected to rise by a few notches this weekend as the fifth programme features the first heavyweights' clash of the summer season.

Eternal rivals Sliema McDonald's and Neptunes Vodafone will this evening be involved in a direct encounter for the first time since the start of the Preliminary Round.

The prospect of a fiercely-contested match between two of the most successful teams on the Maltese islands will surely appeal to local waterpolo enthusiasts after a sequence of high-scoring wins for the big teams in the opening four weekends of the season.

Having gained maximum points from their first four matches, Sliema and Neptunes will be adamant to preserve their perfect record.

Both teams warmed up for their first head-on clash with convincing victories last weekend as Sliema easily dismissed neighbours Exiles Elle-et-Vire 16-9 and Neptunes trounced Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise 15-4.

Marton Toth netted five of Sliema's 16 goals against Exiles, the same tally Steve Camilleri chalked up for Neptunes in their easy victory over Ta' Xbiex.

Sirens Centro Casalinga and San Ġiljan Tropicana Juices, the other two teams with maximum points so far, are also expected to produce a strong performance when they face off tomorrow evening.

In their last matches, Sirens beat Marsaxlokk Freeport 17-9 and San Ġiljan obtained a 15-9 win over Marsascala Ocean and Sky.

Marsascala will play two games in two days. The southerners will fancy their chances of breaking their duck as their opponents this weekend are Marsaxlokk Freeport, today, and Otters, tomorrow.

Gozitan outfit Otters will be making their debut in this year's summer competition.

Exiles and Ta' Xbiex will view their direct match tomorrow as a great opportunity to get their league trek off the ground after both failed to take a point from their first four matches.

Programme

Today: 6.15 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Marsascala; 7.30 p.m. Sliema vs Neptunes.

Tomorrow: 4 p.m. Otters vs Marsascala; 5.15 p.m. Exiles vs Ta' Xbiex; 6.30 p.m. Sirens vs San Ġiljan.