Hibernians returned to winning ways on Wednesday after a 4-0 victory over Sliema Raiders in the women's national league.

The champions were beaten by title contenders Birkirkara in their previous match but against Raiders, Hibernians regained their edge to chalk up their fifth victory from six outings. They are joint leaders in the standings on 15 points with Birkirkara who have a game in hand.

Against Raiders, Hibs opened the score after 24 minutes when Maria Azzopardi pounced on a bad clearance to ram the ball home from outside the box.

Sliema had an Amanda Atkins shot which was well saved by the well-positioned Rita Tagliaferro in the Hibs goal.

But, the score became 2-0 three minutes later. This time it was the championship's joint-top scorer Ylenia Carabott who found the opponents' net after connecting to a Dorianne Theuma cross.

Kathleen Saliba saw her shot clipping the Raiders' post after the restart.

Theuma had better luck soon after with a dipping lob that flew over goalkeeper Sonia Farrugia.

On 63 minutes the match was as good as over when Nathalie Grima made it 4-0 from a corner.

On Tuesday, Sta Venera Lightnings beat Rabat Ajax 4-2 for their second victory of the season. Christine Dalli gave the Saints an early lead but Rabat hit back immediately and scored an equaliser from an inswinging Janice Zahra corner.

Sta Venera soon regained control and forged ahead on 20 minutes. Odette Micallef dribbled past a couple of Rabat defenders before hitting low past Christine Galea.

Micallef repeated the trick nine minutes later to put Sta Venera 3-1 up but the influential Zahra pulled one back for Rabat after a surging run from midfield.

Sta Venera suffered a blow just before half-time when goalkeeper Roberta Cutajar was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Rabat tried to make the numerical advantage count after the break but the Saints held control and sealed the points with another goal from Dalli.

In Tuesday's other match, Mosta and Melita figured in a goalless draw in a clash between two teams occupying a mid-table position in the standings.

This was the only scoreless result so far in the 2006/07 championship.

Top scorers

7 goals Y. Carabott, D. Theuma (both Hibs)
6 goals S. Caruana (Hibs)
5 goals C. Camilleri (Birkirkara), A. Atkins (Sliema Raiders), C. Dalli (Sta Venera)
4 goals C. Demanuele (Birkirkara)

Next Fixtures

January 2
6.30 p.m. Mgarr United vs Mosta
8.30 p.m. Birkirkara vs Rabat.

January 3
7.30 p.m. Sta Venera vs Melita.