Sliema Hotsticks bounced back from their heavy defeat the previous week to register a well-earned victory over joint leaders Young Stars.

After the early sparring when James Mizzi, the Young Stars goalkeeper, pulled off the only intervention of note, Hotsticks won a penalty corner and Ludolf Rasterhoff netted to put them ahead.

Young Stars reacted strongly and after Chris Attard failed to convert a good chance in the 17th minute, they won three penalty corners in the next seven minutes but were unable to score.

Edward Hughes missed a chance to draw Young Stars level but it was the Hotsticks who finished the first half in command.

The second half started on a similar note but on 35 minutes Hughes let another goal chance go abegging. Hotsticks then won three penalty corners in succession but to no avail.

The game swung from one end to the other with Young Stars piling on the pressure, winning two penalty corners in the 50th minute which did not bear fruit.

Rasterhoff hit the base of the post for Hotsticks with a fine effort from the top of the D as Young Stars increased their efforts to try and equalise.

However, the score remained unchanged despite their late burst of pressure.

Umpires: Andre Ghio, John Williams.

Standings
Qormi 8, Young Stars 8; Rabat 5; Hotsticks 3; White Hart 2.