Sliema McDonald’s have shown signs of regaining their best form in their last two matches but their revival faces the ultimate test tomorrow as the Blues meet rivals and leaders Neptunes Emirates at the National Pool.

Sergio Afric’s men have so far struggled to reach the high performance levels that put them at the forefront of the battle for the major honours in the last decade. They are currently third in the table, 11 points adrift of Neptunes.

Back-to-back defeats to Neptunes (14-11) and Sirens (10-8) had raised serious doubts about Sliema’s ability to challenge for a place in the play-off final but they bounced back with wins over 3CX Exiles (11-6) and San Ġiljan Giuseppe’s (16-9).

Now only two points behind San Ġiljan, Sliema will be determined to maintain their positive streak, knowing that a first victory over Neptunes would show one and all that they are back in business.

However, their task will be anything but easy as Neptunes have been in a class of their own so far.

Sergei Markoch’s team have a perfect record in the league and last month, they claimed the first domestic honour of the season after beating Exiles in the BOV KO final.

On Tuesday, the Reds produced another emphatic demonstration of their physical and technical prowess as they outclassed San Ġiljan 20-11 in a one-sided affair that was all but settled by the end of the second session.

Tamas Molnar stole the limelight in midweek as he scored an amazing total of eight goals. Steve Camilleri had four for Neptunes. The only blemish on that fine display by the champions was the injury suffered by Edward Aquilina who is out for the rest of the season with a broken rib.

The Division One programme gets under way this evening with San Ġiljan looking to strengthen their grip on second place with victory over bottom side Exiles.

Coach Karl Izzo will surely demand an improved performance from his team as San Ġiljan look to return to winning ways after consecutive defeats to Sliema and Neptunes.

Exiles, for their part, come into this match in high spirits after they edged Sirens 11-10 to gain their first win in the second phase.

Tuesday’s win means that Exiles still have a mathematical chance of making the play-offs and another three points today would boost their hopes and up the pressure on the fourth-placed Sirens.

Programme

Today: Division Two 5.45 p.m. Marsascala vs Otters. Division One 7 p.m. San Ġiljan vs Exiles.

Tomorrow: Division Two 4.45 p.m. Ta’ Xbiex vs Valletta. Division One 6 p.m. Sliema vs Neptunes.