Qormi 3
Sliema Hotsticks 0

A biting wind combined with low temperatures heralded the start of this season’s league campaign at Corradino, on Sunday.

Qormi started brightly when Juan Sarcia netted as a result of a penalty corner action on six minutes and Charlò Sammut made it 2-0 with a well-taken effort soon after.

Hotsticks reacted strongly but did not manage to reduce the deficit.

Then, following a period of balanced play, Qormi broke away when Keith Calleja cut through the Hotsticks’ defence and set up John Williams who put Qormi 3-0 up.

The second half saw Qormi ad-ministering their lead and although Hotsticks applied pressure, forcing three penalty corners in the pro-cess, the game developed into a ding-dong battle in midfield with few chances for both teams.

Umpires: Luke Busuttil Leaver, Edward Hughes.

Rabat 0
Young Stars 1

Tight marking dominated the early proceedings and the first shot on goal came on 16 minutes when Rabat’s Kevin Micallef saw his effort going wide.

Rabat won another penalty corner on 20 minutes and Shawn Falzon released a tremendous volley which James Mizzi, the Young Stars goalkeeper, stopped in style.

Rabat pressed further and a minute before half-time they won another penalty corner which again saw Falzon’s shot saved by Mizzi who then smothered two rebounds to keep his net intact.

The second half saw Young Stars winning their first penalty corner and Andrew Camilleri netted to give his side the lead.

Rabat fought back and Mizzi had another save off Falzon’s penalty corner effort.

Pressing for an equaliser, Charlot Antonelli then missed a sitter for Rabat and after a further period of sustained pressure Mizzi effected another match-saving intervention, capping a masterful performance which secured victory for Young Stars in a close and hard-fought encounter.

Umpires: Paul Brincat, Manuel Imbroll.