Last weekend, another full programme of hockey matches was held. The outcome of the second game confirmed, if any confirmation were needed, that champions Punch & Judy Rabat will take some beating this year.
Hunters Tower YS 0
Sliema Hotsticks 0
It seems to be a tradition that games between Sliema Hotsticks and Young Stars rarely produce high-scoring results. More often than not, they usually end up being drab, hard-fought battles.
Saturday's game was no exception and the final result, by the end of the weekend, would only please Rabat. Both sides fielded their best possible formations although Hunters Tower had to do without the suspended Ivan Magro.
Clear scoring chances were few and far between and the chances that came the attackers' way were blocked either by the goalkeeper or by a defender.
Hunters Tower maintained superiority in possession although they rarely tested Mallia in the Sliema goal.
They almost did get the better of him when first they hit the upright and, in the last minute, a tricky shot almost found the back of the net when Mallia miskicked his clearance.
Pasta Poiatti Qormi 0
Punch & Judy Rabat 5
Rabat ended their 2003 commitments with a 5-1 drubbing of The George Pub. They started the 2004 in similar fashion, this time going one better when hitting five without reply past the luckless Pasta Poiatti.
Once again, it was Josef Antonelli who took centre stage. He followed up his three goals against The George Pub with another three against Pasta Poiatti.
Those convinced that the technical skills of the Rabat players would be more evident on the new surface have so far been proved right.
They swept aside Qormi's usually resilient challenge with relative ease, their two other goals coming from Jonathan Seychell.
Celtics Young Stars 0
The George Pub 2
The George Pub got their points tally going with a 2-0 victory over newcomers Celtics YS. The game was a balanced affair but in the end it was The George Pub's experience and the fine game played by David Agius that won them the day.
Luke Busuttil Leaver opened the score on 25 minutes but prior to this, the Celtics had three consecutive scoring chances, one of which a well-taken short corner move that ended with Camilleri's attempt at goal being deflected onto the upright.
In the second half, Celtics tried hard to equalise but Frankie Bugeja was too isolated up front. On their part, The George Pub created numerous chances and wrapped up the game in the 27th minute when Branco Radojevic fired in an unstoppable hit from a short corner.
Celtics did not lose heart and in the final minutes were denied a deserved consolation goal when Ray Bezzina, formerly of Sliema, saved on the line a hit destined for the back of the net.
Leading scorer: Josef Antonelli (Rabat) - six goals.
Next fixtures: (Sunday) 9 a.m. Rabat vs Celtics; 11 a.m. Young Stars vs The George Pub.