Sliema Hotsticks lift Super Cup

The new hockey season got underway on Sunday when BDO Hotsticks had the better of Ta' Soldi Rabat 1-0 to claim the Super Cup for the third time after their successes of 1990 and 1994. For Rabat it was the first time they lost the Super Cup after four...

The new hockey season got underway on Sunday when BDO Hotsticks had the better of Ta' Soldi Rabat 1-0 to claim the Super Cup for the third time after their successes of 1990 and 1994. For Rabat it was the first time they lost the Super Cup after four consecutive triumphs.

Rabat enjoyed a clear edge in possession, short corners and scoring chances but the Hotsticks were a tough nut to crack. Kevin Micallef and Chris Bugeja were absent for Rabat while Hotsticks had Simon Baldacchino missing but gave a debut to new signings Sandro Bartolo and Charles Swain.

The game was decided late in the second half when the Rabat keeper was judged to have fouled Pace and the umpires awarded a penalty to the Hotsticks. Swain scored what proved to be the deciding goal.

Sliema captain Michael Caruana Smith was presented with the Super Cup by HAM president Chris Busuttil Leaver.

Competitions resume on Sunday with the start of the Challenge Cup.

The five teams have been split into two groups with Hotsticks, Qormi, and Young Stars in Group A and Rabat and White Hart in Group B.

Qormi and Young Stars will set the ball rolling while holders Rabat take on White Hart, losing finalists last year, in the second game.

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