The preliminary round from the 2009 National League provided waterpolo followers with plenty of action and goals but the competition is set to intensify even further as from this week when the first matches from the Division One and Two will be played at the National Pool.

For the first time in several years, no team succeeded in staying unbeaten after the first round of matches as balance prevailed in most encounters, sometimes even those fixtures involving teams outside the top flight this summer.

Neptunes Vodafone and San Ġiljan Tropicana Juices are currently sharing the top position in Division One with 12 points from seven matches. Champions Sliema McDonald's and Sirens Ritter Sports are two points behind.

The last match from the first phase, between Balluta Bay neighbours Neptunes and San Ġiljan, was played on Tuesday.

The Saints started the day as the only unbeaten side in the league but lost that perfect record after a 19-11 upset to the Reds who held composure despite some tense moments, particularly in the last session.

With all clubs engaging top-level foreign players and coaches this year, the gap that had separated Sliema and Neptunes from the rest in recent years has almost been nullified so much so that the Blues lost two matches in the preliminary round but regrouped in time to avoid another upset by beating Sirens last weekend.

The first match from Division One will be played today between Neptunes and Sirens. The latter surprised Paolo Malara's team last month (9-5) to stay in contention for the league title which they last won in 2005.

However, the Reds will be extra motivated now following their great showing against San Ġiljan that saw them pushing their goal tally up to 96 thanks to that resounding victory.

Tomorrow, it will be Sliema's turn to regain some sort of revenge for the 12-8 defeat to San Ġiljan a couple of weeks ago.

No team can afford to lose points at this stage, particularly Sliema who risk falling off the pace in their bid to defend the league title they won in 2008 to bring Neptunes' two-year reign to a halt.

The two-round Division One league will be completed with the Neptunes-San Ġiljan match on August 15.

Meanwhile, the preliminary round proper will be officially completed this evening when Gozitan team Otters Nivea play Marsaxlokk in the outstanding match of the summer competition's first phase. Both sides are still without a point.

Tomorrow, Marsaxlokk get their Division Two campaign going with a tough assignment as they face favourites Exiles Jet Services.

Programme

Today: Div. Two - 6.15 p.m. Otters Nivea vs Marsaxlokk. Div. One - 7.30 p.m. Neptunes Vodafone vs Sirens Ritter Sports.

Tomorrow: Div. Two - 5.15 p.m. Exiles Jet Services vs Marsaxlokk. Div. One - 6.30 p.m. Sliema McDonald's vs San Ġiljan Tropicana Juices.

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