Fine season opening reaches a high with crunch decider

When the ASA was planning its annual calendar early in the season, little did Malta`s ruling body of aquatic sports realise what good dividends it was bound to reap from a hectic opening phase.

This included international tournaments for Dirk Dowling`s national team in England and Bulgaria while the U-19 selection, coached by Anthony Farrugia, was to figure in the Euro Junior Championships in France.

Malta placed fourth in the Commonwealth Championships in Manchester and a few weeks later qualification was achieved from the preliminary round of the European B Championship in Sofia. The U-19s also produced some bold displays in Aix-les-Bains.

Great results indeed, considering that the players` build-up only consisted of a few competitive matches in a low-profile competition - the Winter League.

Local clubs rarely attach too much importance to this event since it was introduced in 1994 as the summer competition is still deemed to be the prime tournament on the domestic scene. However, this time around the Winter League proved a useful tool for the national clans to gauge their strengths before facing foreign opposition.

And to make this year`s tournament even more significant, the 2002 winter title will only be determined with a decider which will be played tomorrow (11.30 a.m. start) between the biggest rivals in Malta, Sliema and Neptunes, who finished equally on top with 10 points, one ahead of outgoing holders Sirens.

In the last programme of the competition, played on April 20, Sliema recovered from a previous upset against Sirens (4-5) to beat a resilient Marsascala 8-5 while Neptunes took their chances well against Bruno Cofino`s outfit from St Paul`s Bay to force a showdown with their great sporting antagonists this weekend.

When the derby was played in mid-March, Sliema`s solid defensive work and the opportunistic goals of Clint Debono saw the Blues through in a comprehensive 9-5 win against Neptunes who succumbed in the last quarter.

However, it seems that the Reds have since regained their competitive edge, going on to win their next two matches in convincing style. They finished with a better goal aggregate than Sliema, scoring 10 more and conceding three less than the Blues. But records count for nothing when such showdowns are on the card.

Without doubt, this year`s Winter League has certainly stood the ASA in good stead. From the attendances` point of view one expected a better showing though. However, this cruncher should amply make up for that setback as tomorrow`s contestants have always attracted big crowds, especially when an honour, never mind how important it is, is at stake.

Tomorrow`s decider will be preceded by the ASA`s fourth time-trial swimming meeting of 2002. First race here starts at 9 a.m.

Previous Winter League winners

1994 - Neptunes; 1995 - San Giljan; 1996 - Sliema; 1997 - Sirens; 1998 - Sliema; 1999 - Sliema; 2000 - Neptunes; 2001 - Sirens.