Laferla White Hart 1
Qormi Poiatti 5
Qormi Poiatti drew first blood when Kyle Micallef shot them ahead early on in this Challenge Cup Group B qualifier at the Corradino Hockey Complex.
Laferla White Hart reacted strongly with counter attacks down the flanks and they equalised on 26 minutes thanks to Charlo Sammut. He scored after pouncing on a loose ball during a melee inside the D and pushed home.
Qormi were close soon after the restart before Micallef notched his second to send his team into a 2-1 lead.
The tie remained balanced with both teams missing penalty-corner opportunities until Qormi scored two goals in the space of two minutes through Zachary Degiovanni and Juan Sarcia.
The game was over as a contest and on 65 minutes John Williams pushed home from close range to make Qormi’s win even more pronounced.
Umpires: Reno Cremona, Edward Hughes.
Rabat 3
Floriana Young Stars 4
Both teams were well-marshalled defensively and although the game was entertaining, it was not until the 18th minute that Floriana Young Stars were awarded a penalty corner and saw their effort stopped by the post.
Rabat then missed a couple of chances to go ahead and they were duly punished as on 34 minutes Cornellissen Nanko crossed for Luke Borg Costanzi to hook home into the top corner, sending Young Stars into the lead.
Rabat were awarded a penalty corner, just before the half-time whistle blew... midfield general Kevin Micallef picked his spot to level the scores.
But Young Stars were back in the driving seat as the second half got underway when Mark Camilleri blasted into the net and they extended their lead on 52 minutes, Edward Hughes converting a penalty stroke.
Borg Costanzi made it 4-1 after he received a pinpoint pass from Camilleri following his run down the right flank but Rabat did not give up.
On 60 minutes Charlot Antonelli rounded the goalkeeper and shot home to reduce the arrears.
They continued to exert pressure on the Young Stars’ rearguard but were denied on two occasions by keeper James Mizzi.
A minute from time Rabat were awarded a penalty stroke which Christopher Bugeja converted in style but there was little time for them to save the match.
Umpires: Luke Busuttil Leaver, Andre Ghio.