Sliema Hotsticks ousted holders White Hart from this year's KO competition with a spirited display of hockey.

White Hart couldn't have had a better start as, after four minutes, Sandro Bartolo set up Karl Tua who fired past Sliema's goalkeeper Emile Borg.

The Hotsticks' reaction was immediate and they pinned their opponents in their own half. Gutierrez had the chance to level the score but his flick at goal was saved by Vassallo Agius.

Sliema kept up the pressure, forcing a series of short corners from which they drew level when Dylan Lentini squeezed in a hit past Vassallo Agius and Pat Meli.

A minute later, the Hotsticks doubled their lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke, which was converted by Silvano Vassallo.

White Hart just couldn't get their act together and suffered a third from yet another short corner on 29 minutes. It was again Vassallo who managed to scramble the ball in following a goalmouth melee. Just before half-time, White Hart pulled one back through Luke Borg Costanzi from the edge of the D.

In the second half, White Hart took the initiative and equalised on 43 minutes. A quick exchange of passes by Paul Torpiano and Bartolo penetrated the Sliema defence on the right with Bartolo pin-pointing a pass to the far post where Tony Azzopardi was at hand to slot the ball home.

Sliema again made a strong reaction and immediately took matters in hand, regaining the lead on 54 minutes through Lucas Plaehn after yet another goalmouth scramble.

The Hotsticks then secured their win with a well-taken goal by Simon Baldacchino who beat Vassallo Agius with a neat touch to make the final score read 5-3.

Sliema will now meet Rabat in the semi-final.

On Saturday, the Hockey Association will host a Dutch veterans side who will be facing two local teams, one made up of Sliema veterans and the other a combination of veteran players from White Hart, Young Stars and Qormi.

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