Rabat 3
Qormi 1

As a result of this victory over Qormi, Rabat have taken sole leadership at the end of the first round of the national league.

After a studious early period by both teams, Rabat were awarded a penalty stroke and James Azzopardi shot his side ahead on 13 minutes.

Two sharp exchanges at both ends followed before Joseph Cuschieri equalised for Qormi with a crisp volley.

Both teams created another chance but the score remained unchanged at half-time.

Rabat began the second half strongly, producing two chances early on.

Qormi then won a penalty corner but failed to make the most of the opportunity as Rabat went ahead on 44 minutes with a Charlot Antonelli goal.

Rabat then had a shot cleared off the line with Qormi taking three penalty corners between the 61st and 65th minutes.

But it was Rabat who all but sealed the issue when Antonelli bagged his second goal.

There was still time for more excitement though as Rabat were awarded another penalty stroke but Antonelli missed out on a hat-trick as his push hit the post.

Umpires: Luke Busuttil Leaver, Manuel Imbroll.

Young Stars 3
Sliema Hotsticks 0

The game came to life after seven minutes when, in the first penalty corner action won by Young Stars, Mark Camilleri put them ahead.

Hotsticks reacted, winning a penalty corner of their own but nothing came out of it.

Goalmouth action became a rarity but Young Stars did create a couple of half-chances with Luke Borg Costanzi missing the easiest one before the break.

The second half started very much in the same vein with midfield play dominating proceedings but on 41 minutes Young Stars went further ahead when Borg Costanzi lashed on to a through-ball and scored his team’s second goal.

Two minutes later it was 3-0 as Jonathan Ellul slotted home on the rebound after a previous shot had come off the post.

Despite being three goals down, Hotsticks did not give up and forced seven penalty corners, creating a couple of half-chances along the way but their pressure did not alter the scoreline.

Umpires: Anthony Tabone, Paul Brincat.