Three teams at the top

The Blue Label National League resumed on Sunday after an extended Christmas break.

The Hunters' Tower Rest. ended their first round commitments with a 2-0 victory over Poiatti Qormi while Sliema Hotsticks continued their good start with a 2-1 success over White Hart.

Following these results, the Hunters' Tower and Sliema Hs joined Rabat on the seven-point mark with Young Stars having played a game more.

Rabat and Sliema complete their first round commitments on Sunday when they face off in an intriguing clash.

Poiatti Qormi 0
The Hunters' Tower Rest. 2

Poiatti Qormi had three players missing for this match, namely the Chircop brothers and Reno Bianchi but welcomed back in the fray ex-Young Stars player Chris Bugeja who returned to action after knee surgery.

Young Stars started the game on top, dominating every area of the field and also possession of the ball. This pressure resulted in a number of short corners and the Poiatti rearguard finally gave in when from a short corner move, Young Stars took the lead after a weak hit by Chris Attard crossed the line.

After this early goal, the tempo of the game dropped with Qormi now giving a better account of themselves.

The second half was a different story as Poiatti did their utmost to get back into the game. The Greens dominated most of the possession but still did not create enough chances to threaten their opponents' goal.

However, on one occasion, Bugeja stole the ball from the Floriana defence and as he was approaching the dee, a defender hooked his stick and denied him a clear chance on goal.

As the foul started outside the area, the umpire opted to award a short corner and temporarily dismissed the Young Stars defender.

The Poiatti players felt hard done by this decision and to compound matters, after Bugeja missed a good chance, a penalty stroke was awarded at the other end.

After the inevitable protests, Charles Micallef stepped up and made it 2-0 to seal the result.

The Qormi players once again left the field frustrated as another controversial incident had gone against them.

Umpires: M. Imbroll, R. Cremona.

Sliema Hotsticks 2
White Hart 1

Sliema Hotsticks made it back-to-back victories in the league, having the better of White Hart 2-1 to condemn the latter to their third consecutive defeat.

The game was an interesting affair with both sides playing some good hockey. Sliema, although not setting any houses on fire, have shown improvement from the poor performances in the Challenge Cup.

White Hart have displayed a commendable attitude in going for an open game but the lack of experience of most of their players remains their chief weakness.

Sliema were without the suspended Baldacchino and the injured Scicluna but White Hart were at full strength.

They saw more of the action early on but failed to capitalise as White Hart got into the game, although on many occasions they left Busutill Leaver ploughing a lone furrow up front.

White Hart were dangerous from short corners while Sliema's moves down the right wing were always causing problem.

A good move down this channel led to the opening goal as Shawn Mifsud rounded off from close range.

Sliema seemed to be in control but a clumsy tackle from their veteran captain Henry Cachia led to White Hart being awarded a penalty, which Busutill Leaver converted.

Five minutes into the second half, Sliema scored what was to be the winning goal. Another move along the right flank saw the active Steve Cachia serving Pace who beat Galea with a first-time rising slap shot.

This time round, White Hart could not come back and despite their efforts they were found wanting in front of goal.

On their part, Sliema, with Bezzina, Imbroll and Caruana Smith pulling the strings in midfield, had plenty of chances to put the game beyond White Hart.

Umpires: R. Aquilina, R. Micallef.