Neptunes’ title charge faces Sirens challenge

Neptunes Emirates hope to make another step towards winning the title this evening when they take on Sirens Ritter Sports at the Tal-Qroqq Pool.

The Balluta Bay outfit go into their final league meeting with Sirens two points clear over champions Sliema McDonald’s at the top and knowing that victory would further strengthen their title quest.

Fresh from a comprehensive 16-5 dismissal of Exiles Jet Services, Neptunes are brimming with confidence ahead of their clash with the St Paul’s Bay team. Neptunes have already beaten Sirens twice in the National League, 12-6 and 17-5.

Foreigners Tamas Molnar and Vladimir Vukasinovic have established themselves as two scoring pillars for Neptunes who have won 10 matches and drawn one so far.

Although Neptunes are hot favourites to extend their unbeaten run, they can’t underestimate Sirens who have shown signs of revival in recent weeks, particularly in their last outing when they came back from 9-4 down to edge San Ġiljan Firetech 11-10.

Sirens will be looking to Serbian talisman Yugoslav Vasovic to repeat his hat-trick performance against San Ġiljan and inspire the team to what would be a shock victory over the title favourites.

No doubt, Sliema will be cheering for Sirens this evening as a win or a draw for the latter would greatly improve the Blues’ chances of retaining the title.

The champions are widely expected to maintain the pressure on Neptunes by beating neighbours Exiles tomorrow.

Sergio Afric’s men bounced back from their morale-sapping defeat to Neptunes with a 10-7 victory over San Ġiljan last weekend.

The previous two encounters between Sliema and Exiles this summer both went the former’s way, 17-10 and 14-11.

The weekend’s programme rolls off with the top-of-the-table clash from Division Two between leaders Marsascala Solid Base Engineering and Otters Nivea this evening.

The southseasiders are one point ahead of the Gozitans and victory today would set them on course to lift the Division Two league trophy at the end of the season.

A Marsascala slip-up today would delight third-placed Ta’ Xbiex Mermaids Paradise who will be looking to stay close to the leading positions with victory over Marsaxlokk in tomorrow’s first match.

Programme

Today:
6 p.m. Marsascala vs Otters;
7.15 p.m. Neptunes vs Sirens.

Tomorrow:
5 p.m. Ta’ Xbiex vs Marsaxlokk;
6.15 p.m. Sliema vs Exiles.