(Article 23)

2001 - Change in Format

Fresh from the previous year’s league success after a lapse of eleven seasons, more was expected from the team under the guidance of Dirk Dowling who was re-confirmed as coach. Veteran Anthony Cachia, Michael Psaila (loaned from Sliema) and Mark Attard had joined Exiles whilst the services of Kayne Lanzon and David Zammit  were lost after they signed for other clubs. Dirk also continued to rope in budding youngsters from the Club’s nursery; Timmy Sullivan, David Pace Lupi and the Bruno twins Adrian and Karl made appearances in the first team and their names started appearing on the scorers’ list.

In the meantime the ASA re-introduced the preliminary round-robin system in which all clubs faced each other in the first round to determine the four top teams for the championship pool. The remainder of the teams formed the second division league. The change in format no doubt was an attraction as a record number eleven teams were at the start of a campaign. The administrators of the Aquatic Association were hoping that this change would see a return of the crowds to the pool. 

Initial clear Indications

The matches against the big guns were one uphill task after another. The first two matches saw Exiles succumb to the might of Neptunes (2-20) and Sliema (5-15). These were followed by two drawn matches against Ta’Xbiex and San Giljan and a comfortable win versus Valleta (18-2). This respite was short-lived as in the three encounters that followed, Exiles lost to Marsascala (2-10) and  Sirens (3-20) both considered favourites to reach the final four. A close encounter was that against Marsxlokk fitted between the two encounters with these big guns. The Xlukkajri managed to beat us 7-5. To be fair, Marsaxlokk had shown positive signs in their outings when they faced the top four teams. In their team they displayed experience, weight and strong swimming reaping encouraging results with the more quoted teams whilst in the second division league they emerged clear winners ending four points of the runners-up San Giljan.

Exiles finished in the third slot having to trail the two preceding teams after losing seven out of eight points in the direct clashes. The wins against the lowly placed teams were no consolation except that more space was being given to the young players to gain the experience required to get accustomed to this tough but fascinating game.

Exiles obtained the same result of the first round (5-7) in the second encounter with Marsaxlokk. The gap between the teams was wider than the final scores indicated. The Exiles lacked the swimming and staying power so evident in the year 2000.

The players making up the squad were Antoine Sciberras, Jason Vella, Ivan Muscat, Michael Psaila, Silvio Borg, Anthony Cachia, Jean Mercieca, Michael Grima, David Pace Lupi, Mark Attard, Timmy Sullivan, Adrian Bruno, Karl Bruno and Michael Camilleri.

In the next article, Exiles make a comeback to achieve one of their best chapters of their chequered history