Young Stars 1
Hotsticks 0
Despite the heat, this match developed into a typical cup tie, played at a high tempo, where tactics were sacrificed for sheer pace and endeavour.
Hotsticks started brightly and in the fourth minute, Young Stars goalkeeper James Mizzi was called upon to stop his side from falling behind.
After a period of balanced play, Hotsticks cleared off the line after a melee in front of their posts in the 14th minute.
Three minutes later, Young Stars’ Mark Camilleri was stopped just outside the D after a fine run from halfway as he led a counter-attack following a Hotsticks penalty corner that had been beaten away by Mizzi, the Stars’ goalkeeper.
In the 29th minute, Andrew Camilleri saved Young Stars by diving full length to his right to clear off the line with his goalkeeper beaten.
Young Stars began the second half on a gallop and, from their second penalty corner in the 40th minute, Mark Camilleri hit a tremendous shot from the top of the D to put his team ahead.
Hotsticks reacted strongly. Lukas Plaehn was denied by a point-blank save from Mizzi.
Hotsticks then won three penalty corners in succession but were again denied by three excellent saves by Mizzi who, on 62 minutes, made another diving block off Steve Portelli.
In the end, after a shot was deflected just past the Young Stars’ post, they managed to hold on to their win and secure their place in the Knock-Out final where they will meet Qormi on June 22 (6pm).
Umpires: Paul Brincat, John Williams.
Rabat 0
Qormi 3
What promised to be an intriguing encounter ended with Qormi winning comfortably by three clear goals.
After a studious start by both teams, Qormi forged ahead in the 14th minute when Juan Sarcia netted from the first penalty corner awarded to his team.
Rabat rallied immediately, winning three penalty corners in a row around the 22nd minute but to no avail.
After young Thomas Degiovanni had missed a chance in the 27th minute, he produced a brilliant reverse stick shot which nearly hit the target a minute before half-time. There was still time for Qormi to force two penalty corners but they failed to add to their lead.
Barely a minute into the second half, Degiovanni scored to put Qormi two up.
Rabat again failed to capitalise after winning two penalty corners and Qormi made them pay by scoring a third goal.
John Williams netted from close range in the 55th minute after another penalty corner action.
The game was over as a spectacle and Qormi continued to control the rest of the match, winning five more penalty corners only to be denied by a solid performance from Ian Azzopardi, Rabat’s custodian.
Umpires: Luke Busuttil Leaver, Manuel Imbroll.