Price and Nugent desperate for points
Neither club can afford to lose as each of them has with just one victory from their four games. Last weekend both lost to Waterford Crystal in games they were expected to win. Neptune played poorly against Crystal, but the Waterford side played out of their skins in an overtime thriller against Demons.
"Let's give credit to Waterford. They were the better team," Pat Price said as he reflected on Demons' loss. "We can do better. We are coming along, Patrick Pope is settling in with the team and our results are going to improve.
"But we know Neptune are going to be gunning for us. They are also trying to salvage some things. We are under no illusions. It's going to take a total team performance to win this one," he said.
Neptune coach Jim Nugent was under no illusions either, pointing out that changing one of their Americans mid-stream had set them back a couple of weeks in their preparations.
"We are no way near the finished product yet but I would hope that we are getting there," he said.
Their new signing, Daveeno Hines, trained with them on Wednesday night for the first time and while he made an impressive first appearance for them on court there was something of a disaster when Charron Watson went over on his ankle.
The Irish players could decide it at the end of the day. Neptune can expect consistency from the likes of Gordon Fitzgerald and Stephen McCarthy while Shane Coughlan always plays well against Neptune highlighted in this year's cup final and the introduction of Patrick Pope should free him up from point running duties.
And, speaking of passion, Waterford Crystal have been showing some in recent days. They bounced back from the brink with important wins over Neptune and Demons and Michael Evans will be looking for more of the same when they travel to Dublin to play high-flying UCD tomorrow night.
"Neptune were poor but we played very well for periods of the game and then we came back and beat Demons in a good game. Patrick Fitzsimons worked his socks off," said Michael Evans.
Defending champions Abrakebabra Tigers face Limerick Lions in Tralee tomorrow evening when Tigers' Luke O'Hea will be hoping to put one over on his old club.
Limerick have lost Cory Little who returned to the US recently with health problems but they are in great form.
The Northern Conference sees another interesting derby game with Dart Killester making the short journey to Glasnevin to play Roma St Vincent's while Merry Monk Ballina, who suffered their first defeat to Killester last weekend, will face another huge assignment against MDS Star.
In the women's Superleague, UL Aughinish will be hot favourites against Vienna Woods, Glanmire while Bausch & Lomb Wildcats travel to Killarney to take on Mustang Sallys.
The draws for the National Cups will take place at The Mardyke Arena tonight. The draw for the women's cup will be held before the big game while the host club, Mardyke UCC Demons, will go into the draw for the men's cup at half time.
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