Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate finally got their act together last weekend with a great comeback win over Neptunes Emirates.
Their victory did a huge favour to San Ġiljan Sir Alex, now sole leaders in the standings, and also sent a high dose of adrenaline rushing into their system ahead of the KO final.
The Blues never got going this summer... until last Saturday that is.
Peter Decesare, who replaced coach Sergio Afric early in the campaign, did a great job in lifting Sliema’s spirits as they stunned the Reds 9-8 having trailed by as much as four goals before the last session got underway.
Sliema had run San Ġiljan close in their previous match but Nep-tunes did not heed the warning.
This evening, Decesare has another good opportunity to con-tinue his preparations for Tuesday’s KO final against Neptunes when his team play bottom-placed Exiles Ferretti.
With third-placed Sliema 12 points behind San Ġiljan and only two matches left, the outcome of today’s game will have no bearing on the standings.
However, the Blues will be looking to maintain their match sharpness and that could spell more bad news for Exiles, the only side still without a point .
Neptunes cannot afford any further loss of points tomorrow as they play Sirens Ritter Sport.
In their two direct encounters this summer, Neptunes thumped the northerners twice as the scores – 16-8 and 20-6 – indicate.
Coach Sergey Markoch must have spent the last couple of days trying to reinvigorate the Reds in his bid to keep the team in contention before a decisive final match against the Saints later this month.
Valletta United made sure of the Division One title last week with victory over Marsascala Mor€.
Both teams will be in action again between today and tomorrow with focus now shifting to the KO final which will be contested by the City team and the southseasiders on Tuesday.
Marsascala will be looking to secure the runners-up spot with victory over Marsaxlokk today and Valletta take on Otters tomorrow.
Programme
Today: 18.00 Marsascala vs Marsa-xlokk. 19.15 Sliema vs Exiles.
Tomorrow: 16.45 Ta’ Xbiex vs ASA U-17; 18.00 Otters vs Valletta. 19.15 Sirens vs Neptunes.
Secretary’s stance
Meanwhile, officials from the Aquatic Sport Association (ASA) are still engaged in efforts to try and persuade secretary general Marco Manara to withdraw his resignation.
Manara, who was elected to the post in February after a narrow win over Anthony Attard, stepped down on Monday. Reports claim that a disagreement over a ruling made by the ASA Protests Board led to Manara’s resignation.
Premier League