Qormi 6
Hotsticks 2

The early skirmishes were dominated by Qormi as this Challenge Cup group qualifier at Corradino was played at a fast pace.

After not converting a penalty corner, Qormi went ahead when John Williams netted from a rebound.

John Borg and Steve Tanti went close to adding on to Qormi’s tally but they had to wait until the 29th minutes to score again when Borg hit home from a penalty corner.

Juan Sarcia then added a third, hitting a scorcher but, as usual, matches produce their twists and turns and Hotsticks fought back scoring twice either side of half-time.

Shawn Grima netted the first while Julian Zahra slashed Qormi’s lead to 3-2, one minute after the break.

Qormi, however, re-established their two-goal lead on 44 minutes when Tanti pushed home a cross from the right. Then, they extended their tally to six when Isaac Mansueto scored twice late on for a deserved Qormi victory.

Young Stars 2
White Hart 0

In virtually the first committed attack of the game Young Stars won a penalty corner and Mark Camilleri slotted home to open the score.

From then on play was restricted to midfield exchanges and it was not until the 21st minute that Young Stars won three penalty corners in quick succession which they were unable to convert.

Play fluctuated from end to end but half-time was reached with Young Stars still leading 1-0.

After the break, Patrick Meli cleared a penalty corner hit off the White Hart dead ball line with his custodian beaten.

On 55 minutes, Young Stars won three penalty corners but did not manage to increase their lead. In fact, it was White Hart who had a chance to equalise but David Agius shot wide from a good position.

White Hart then pressed hard but throwing caution to the wind, they were caught on a counter attack and four minutes from time Ivan Magro Dingli pushed home, rounding off a move down the flank to give Young Stars a 2-0 victory.