Blues with Reds' hurdle to clear for perfect record
Champions Sliema McDonald's have already made sure of their 30th national league title with weeks to spare. So dominant were the Blues this summer, that with only one match to go none of the other teams in the championship have managed to steal away a...
Champions Sliema McDonald's have already made sure of their 30th national league title with weeks to spare. So dominant were the Blues this summer, that with only one match to go none of the other teams in the championship have managed to steal away a point from Igor Gocanin's team who show a perfect record of 12 wins.
This evening, Sirens Centro Casalinga and San Ġiljan Tropicana Juices will be rounding up their league calendar in a match with little importance attached as both sides were hardly ever in the reckoning for the major prize.
The national league then comes to a close tomorrow as Sliema will wrap up a superb campaign with a crunch match against rivals Neptunes Vodafone.
This has been a memorable championship for the Blues who boast a solid squad based on the enthusiasm of some upcoming players, the experience of the veterans in the team and the sterling contribution of foreign players, all gelled together in a perfect unit by the astute Gocanin.
Sliema had the better of Neptunes on two occasions before tomorrow's match. The Blues won the preliminary round derby 12-11 and also the first round match from the championship proper 12-10.
The champions-elect were never in danger of losing any of their other matches and the close 13-12 victory over Sirens in the previous match only matured because Gocanin's men showed some slackness in their game after having made sure of the title the week before.
This was a disappointing summer for Neptunes who never reached the same heights of the previous two years. Their attention is now fully focused on the KO competition and last week they looked as though they had regained some of their touch when trouncing San Ġiljan 15-5.
Today, the Reds will be fully committed to put a dampener on Sliema's title celebrations and pep up their preparations ahead of next week's semi-final against Sirens.
In the KO draw, Sliema were drawn against San Ġiljan, so neutral fans will be rubbing their hands with delight knowing that apart from that of tomorrow, another enticing derby, could be in the offing.
Fixtures
Today: Division Two KO SF 5.30 p.m. Exiles vs Otters. Division One league 6.45 p.m. San Ġiljan vs Sirens.
Tomorrow: Division Two KO preliminary round 5.15 p.m. Marsascala vs Ta' Xbiex. Division One league 6.30 p.m. Neptunes vs Sliema.