Neptunes Vodafone will be presented with the Wilkinson Sword League trophy this evening at the Tal-Qroqq pool after the final league clash against their eternal rivals Sliema Burger King.

The latter missed the chance to keep the title in the balance at least till today’s match, when they could only draw against San Giljan Zara in their penultimate match last week.

That meant that Neptunes had opened an unassailable three-point lead with just today’s match remaining. Had Sliema won the match against San Giljan, a victory today over their rivals would have forced a decider for this year’s title.

In fact, the Balluta Bay side can even afford to lose today’s match and they will still be crowned champions. But this evening’s encounter will, no doubt, be keenly contested, as the rivalry continued to build up during the week through a protest lodged by Sliema against the result of their match against San Giljan, claiming the official had committed a technical error.

The protest was subsequently turned down by the ASA Protests Panel and Neptunes were confirmed champions.

Moreover, for today’s match, Sliema will have players Edward Aquilina and Tibor Benedek ruled out through suspension after the incidents during the match against San Giljan.

Also on the programme today is the clash between Exiles and Marsascala Breakers (Division II) which starts at 5.30pm.

A victory for Marsascala will see the two teams equal on points at the top, thus forcing a decider.

Today’s programme

At Tal-Qroqq pool: Division II 4.15pm, Otters-Ta’ Xbiex Mermaids P.; 5.30pm, Exiles-Marsascala Breakers; Division I 6.45pm, Neptunes Vodafone-Sliema Burger King