The First and Second Divisions will get under way this evening at the Tal-Qroqq national pool.

In the first match, at 6.15pm, Marsascala meat.com.mt will be facing Ta’ Xbiex ASC in the Second Division opener, while in the inaugural First Division match at 7.30pm, San Giljan Giuseppe’s will be playing against Sirens Ritter Sport.

After the preliminary round, the bonus points awarded to the teams according to their positions are as follows:

First Division: Neptunes five points, Sliema 3, San Giljan two, Sirens one, Exiles zero points.

Second Division: Marsascala five points, Valletta three, Otters two, Ta’ Xbiex one point.

Matches are being played over six midweek programmes and over five weekends, ending on 23 August, following which the matches for the placings will be staged.

The leagues are to be finally decided by play-offs.

The first and second placed teams in the Div II league will play a best-of-three play-off series to determine the Div II Water Polo Championship. These will be played between 26 August and 2 September.

The Division One play-offs will be played over two rounds – two semifinals and a final.

Best of three semifinal play offs will be played between the fist and fourth placed teams and the second and third placed teams. The losers will play each other in a best of three play-off series to determine the third and fourth places.

The league final will be a best of five play-off series. The winning team will be that claiming three victories first. These plays-offs are to be played between 26 August and 10 September.