Victories for Hotsticks, Floriana

This encounter was billed as indicative to which team would be favourites to win the championship but as the saying goes – there’s many a slip between the cup and the lip and we may have to wait until the last game of the season.

Hotsticks took an early lead when on 5 minutes Steve Portelli received a pass from outside the D, swivelled on his access and shot home.

Both teams were well organised defensively and Hotsticks were guilty of missing a couple of gilt edged chances early on.

Qormi started to exert pressure with their well organised moves down the flanks and on 23 minutes Juan Sarcia drew his team level with a well placed volley as a result of a penalty corner action.

The score remained unchanged until the half time whistle blew thanks to a blinding diving save by Shawn Mifsud, Qormi’s custodian.

Qormi continued to exert pressure and Hotsticks had to thank their goal minder, Emile Borg, who effected several goal bound efforts keeping his goal intact.

On 45 minutes Portelli scored his second to send Hotsticks into a 2-1 lead. Qormi reacted strongly but did not avail themselves of several chances which came their way.

After Hotsticks missed two penalty corner awards around the 58 minute mark Qormi continued their quest to break down Hotsticks’ resistance.

On 62 minutes Sarcia shot wide and another scoring opportunity was fluffed three minutes later.

A minute from time Qormi were awarded a penalty corner and Emile Borg covered himself in glory with a diving save, leading his team to victory and extending their lead at the top of the table.

After a quiet start to proceedings, Young Stars started to exert pressure on the well organised Rabat rearguard and it was not until the 26th minute that they were awarded a penalty corner and, following two others in quick succession, on 28 minutes Mark Camilleri buried a shot into the corner of the net to give his team a 1-0 lead.

Rabat reacted strongly and in the final minute before the half time whistle blew they hit the base of the Young Stars post the score remaining unchanged with Young Stars maintaining their slender lead.

Young Stars continued to exert pressure early in the second half and on 46 minutes Ryan Seychell pushed home from close range to send his team into a 2-0 lead.

On 50 minutes Christian Bonello netted to send his team 30 up. Game over.

Rabat were then reduced to ten men when tired legs manifested themselves and tempers frayed.

On 64 minutes Seychell scored his second giving Young Stars a 4-0 victory which keeps their championship hopes alive.