Sirens make bow, Valletta chase second scalp

Sirens Ritter Sport will make their bow in the 2011 National League when they take on 3CX Exiles in a preliminary round match on Sunday at the National Pool.

The first four matches from this year’s summer cham-pionship were played earlier this week but Sirens, who are under the guidance of Serbian coach Predrag Zimonjic, were not involved in the mid-week fixtures.

Predictably, most of the opening preliminary round games were one-sided affairs as the big guns enjoyed high-scoring wins over weaker opponents.

But day one of the league campaign produced a notable surprise as Valletta Dhalia, back in the fray after a lapse of several years, came from behind to stun the more-quoted Exiles 11-10 in a Group A match.

The Sliema outfit will be looking to make amends for their unexpected slip-up to Valletta by claiming their first win at the expense of Sirens in Sunday’s second match.

The battling display of the Citizens, led by experienced coach Anthony Farrugia, delighted their followers who hope that their team maintain their positive start by overcoming Ta’ Xbiex in this evening’s second match.

Ta’ Xbiex were no match for champions Neptunes Emirates in their opener as the 23-4 scoreline in favour of the latter amply indicates. Neptunes are widely tipped to make it two wins in a row when they meet Valletta on Sunday.

Today’s curtain-raiser looks like a no-contest as Sliema McDonald’s face Otters Nivea. Romanian powerhouse Bogdan Rath scored five goals as Sliema began their league trek with a 23-7 win over Marsascala for whom John Licari hit four goals.

Otters succumbed to a 26-8 defeat to San Ġiljan on Wednesday. The Saints, under the helm of coach Karl Izzo, will not be in action this weekend.

Programme

Today: 6.45 p.m. Sliema vs Otters; 8 p.m. Ta’ Xbiex vs Valletta.

Sunday: 6.45 p.m. Valletta vs Neptunes; 8 p.m. Exiles vs Sirens.