Neptunes aim to pull clear of Sliema as title clash looms

Rivals Neptunes Emirates and Sliema McDonald’s have been engaged in a tit-for-tat struggle for supremacy this season.

The Reds seized a slight but potentially decisive edge when they overpowered the Blues 14-11 in the first round match earlier this month but the champions responded to that setback by stringing a three-game winning run to keep Neptunes within touching distance.

As the title duel enters its most crucial stage, Neptunes will be deadset on restoring their two-point lead at the top when they entertain San Ġiljan Firetech tomorrow.

On Wednesday, Sliema kept up the pressure on their foes with a trouble-free 17-8 victory over Sirens taking them level with Neptunes on 23 points, albeit the latter have a game in hand.

Neptunes are widely tipped to reclaim sole leadership by recording their third victory over their neighbours in tomorrow’s main match.

Victory for the Reds is a must not only for classification purposes but moreso to keep their morale high ahead of their crucial and much-awaited encounter with Sliema the following weekend.

Led by the experienced Sergey Markoch, Neptunes are still unbeaten after 12 matches this season and it’s hard to imagine San Ġiljan denting their record.

In their most recent outing last Friday, Neptunes annihilated Sirens to the tune of 22-7.

For their part, San Ġiljan made the most of Sirens’ back-to-back defeats to the title challengers by beating Exiles 18-13 to pull clear of their rivals in the race for third spot.

Heikko Nossek inspired San Ġiljan’s win over Exiles on Wednesday with a five-goal haul.

No doubt, Sliema will be hoping that the Saints’ success over Exiles and their rivalry with Neptunes will increase their motivation to cause an upset tomorrow but that looks unlikely in light of the Reds’ consistency this season.

Struggling duo Sirens and Exiles will be bidding to get back in winning groove when they meet in today’s second match.

With San Ġiljan now two points clear in third, a win is imperative for both Sirens and Exiles this evening if they are to improve their chances of avoiding bottom place in Division One.

In Division Two, Marsascala Solid Base Engineering only need to avoid defeat to Marsaxlokk to be crowned champions.

Leading Ta’ Xbiex Mermaids Paradise by two points, Marsascala are expected to seal their title success today by seeing off Marsaxlokk who have gained only one point from eight matches.

Only a shock Marsaxlokk win would keep Ta’ Xbiex’s title hopes alive before the latter’s clash with Otters Nivea tomorrow.

Programme

Today: 6 p.m. Marsascala vs Marsaxlokk; 7.15 p.m. Sirens vs Exiles.

Tomorrow: 5 p.m. Ta’ Xbiex vs Otters; 6.15 p.m. Neptunes vs San Ġiljan.