Young Stars 2
Qormi 2

This top-of-the-table clash developed into a ding-dong battle in midfield with both teams being very attentive not to surrender space to their opponents which would allow them to break open their rearguard.

In fact, early on both custodians had very little to deal with. However, in the 30th minute Qormi finally broke through and John Williams shot them ahead, a lead which they held up to half-time.

The second half presented a different story altogether with the game opening up and producing some of the best hockey played this season at Corradino.

Young Stars won two penalty corners and, as a result of the second one, Dirk Gerritse scored to equalise.

They pressed further but Qormi had other ideas even though they failed to profit from two penalty corners of their own in 50th minute.

Then, two minutes later, Steve Tanti broke through on a run down the middle, his shot was parried and Zac DeGiovanni picked up the spoils and shot Qormi into a 2-1 lead.

Young Stars reacted strongly and in the 55th minute Chris Attard scored to pull his team level.

Both teams increased their efforts to break the deadlock and although Qormi won two penalty corners in the final minutes this highly entertaining game ended with the two teams sharing the spoils.

Umpires: Luke Busuttil Leaver and Robert Aquilina.

Rabat 3
White Hart 7

The first chance of this high-scoring match fell to White Hart on seven minutes and Kyle Micallef produced a tremendous reverse stick hit to put his team one up.

Rabat were awarded a penalty stroke on 16 minutes and Charlo Antonelli converted to equalise.

Both teams created half chances and, as a result of a short corner action, Daniel Sieffert drove home to put White Hart 2-1 ahead.

After Rabat did not take advantage of two penalty corners, White Hart broke away and Isaac Mansueto shot them 3-1 ahead a minute before half-time.

No one could envisage the fare that the second half was about to produce. After early White Hart pressure Rabat drew level with goals from Jonathan Micallef and Mario Galea on 44 minutes.

Rabat were awarded a second penalty stroke four minutes later but Antonelli fluffed a chance to put his team ahead.

This galvanised White Hart and the game turned on its head.

Sieffert scored his second and his team’s fourth and from then on it was all White Hart.

They scored three goals in the last ten minutes. Liam Azzopardi bagging goal number five and Kyle Micallef hit a brace in the last five minutes to complete his hat-trick just before the final whistle.

Umpires: Reno Cremona and Keith Vella.

Standings
Qormi 11; Young Stars 9; Rabat 5; Hotsticks 5; White Hart 4.