Neptunes Emirates and Sliema McDonald’s will be aiming to strike an early psychological blow in the race for the title this summer when they meet in this evening’s top positional play-off which offers a bonus of five points for the winners.

As expected, the two powerhouses of Maltese water-polo topped their respective groups in the preliminary round which came to a close on Sunday.

Neptunes, the reigning champions, had a perfect record of four wins out of four games to finish first in Group A, six points ahead of Sirens Ritter Sport, 3CX Exiles and Valletta Dhalia who all tied on six.

Minnows Ta’ Xbiex failed to win a single point in the opening round.

In Group B, Sliema also gained a maximum nine points from three games to finish ahead of San Ġiljan (6), Marsascala (3) and Otters (0).

The top two teams in each group are already assured of a place in the top flight while the fifth side will emerge from tomorrow’s clash between the third-placed teams in each group – Exiles and Marsascala.

No doubt, most of the attention will be on today’s derby between Neptunes and Sliema, again widely tipped to wage a two-horse duel for the national league title.

As the winner of today’s play-off will earn five bonus points, the loser gets three.

Steve Camilleri hit four goals on Sunday as Neptunes warmed up for their first showdown with the Blues with a 13-8 dismissal of Exiles.

Sliema’s last match was anything but plainsailing as they had to fight really hard to overcome the resilient San Ġiljan, 12-10.

Bogdan Rath, scorer of six goals, and Rajmund Fodor, who netted a poker, inspired the Blues’ win over the Saints who, on this evidence, look well-equipped to ruffle the feathers of their illustrious neighbours when crunch time starts in a few weeks’ time.

After going close to upsetting Sliema, San Ġiljan, for whom Filip Trajkovic hit four goals on Saturday, have now turned their attention to tomorrow’s play-off against Sirens where a two-point bonus awaits the winner. The losing team gets only one point.

Valletta play Otters in the only play-off for Division Two sides as Marsascala, who finished third in Group A, can still earn a place in the top league if they overcome Exiles in tomorrow’s opening match.

The bonus points in Division Two will be awarded as follows: first team (Exiles or Marsascala) receives four points, second team two points, third team one point and fourth team none.

After tomorrow’s decisive matches, the league will observe a short break for the national team to play in the European Championship.

Malta host Turkey today week at the National Pool and then travel to eastern Europe for the next match against Poland on July 1.

Domestic competitions resume with the Super Cup contests for Division One and Two on July 5 – Sliema vs Neptunes and Marsa-scala vs Ta’ Xbiex.

The play-offs
Today: 6.45 p.m. Valletta vs Otters; 8 p.m. Neptunes vs Sliema.
Tomorrow: 6.45 p.m. Marsascala vs Exiles; 8 p.m. Sirens vs San Ġiljan.

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