The Bank of Valletta winter league gets under way at the Tal-Qroqq Pool this weekend with the opening two matches being played this afternoon.

Five teams – Neptunes Vodafone, Sliema McDonald’s, Sirens Hard Rock Café, San Giljan and Exiles are taking part in this year’s competition. Exiles will be having a rest day this week.

In the opening match today, at 4.45pm, Sirens will be facing Sliema while in the match that follows, Neptunes take on their Balluta Bay rivals San Giljan.

It is expected to be a keenly fought competition where the five teams will be striving to reach their peak at the end, in time for the start of the much more attractive national league to be held in summer.