Sliema, Neptunes aim to pull clear of chasing duo

Sliema McDonald's and Neptunes Vodafone can open up a significant gap at the top of the 2009 National Championship when they meet Sirens Ritter Sports and San Ġiljan Tropicana Juices this weekend.

The two rivals currently lead the Division One standings with 14 points from nine matches, just one ahead of San Ġiljan and three more than Sirens.

Victory this weekend would give Sliema and Neptunes a significant advantage over the chasing duo and all but transform this season's league championship into a two-horse race.

Sliema are high on confidence after last week's 11-10 win over Neptunes. Hungarian ace Raymond Fodor and Bogdan Rath were in tremendous form as they steered the Blues to a vital victory that put their title bid back on track.

This evening, Sergio Afric's men start as favourites to bag all points against a Sirens side whose chances of challenging for the top honour in local waterpolo suffered a hammer blow last Saturday following a disappointing 6-6 draw against San Ġiljan.

Now three points behind the leading duo, the St Paul's Bay outfit are in a must-win situation to revive their faltering title hopes.

Tomorrow, Neptunes will look to bounce back from their upset to Sliema when they take on San Ġiljan in what promises to be a hard-fought derby at the National Pool.

The Saints have improved beyond recognition this season. They will be hellbent on toppling their neighbouring rivals and avenge the 19-11 defeat in their last meeting earlier this month.

On the other side of the fence, Neptunes coach Paolo Malara knows that his team cannot afford to drop more points if they are to remain in a strong position to challenge for the title.

Programme

Today: Division Two - 6.15 p.m. Ta' Xbiex vs Exiles. Division One - 7.30 p.m. Sliema vs Sirens.

Tomorrow: Division Two - 5.15 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Otters. Division One - 6.30 p.m. San Ġiljan vs Neptunes.

Tuesday: Division Two - 6.30 p.m. Marsascala vs Ta' Xbiex.