The national league resumed over the weekend with a full programme of three matches.
The first game on Saturday, between Hunters Tower YS and Sliema was another tight affair with vital points at stake. Scoring chances were few and far between although in the first half Young Stars had a slight edge.
The game opened up in the second half with both sides creating a number of scoring chances. When all looked set for a drawn result that would have only pleased Punch & Judy Rabat, David Evans struck with a well-taken goal that kept Hunters Tower on track.
In Sunday's first game, The George Pub beat Celtics 4-1, a scoreline that does not do justice with the losers.
Celtics opted for an attacking game and thus played right into the hands of a street-wise Pembroke team. After barely 11 minutes, The George Pub took the lead when Luke Busuttil Leaver set up Radojevic who beat Abdilla from close range.
Celtics reacted well and had clear chances with Bonello and Chris Bugeja who was unlucky two minutes from half-time when he hit the post. In the space of two minutes, early in the second half, Pembroke put the game beyond Celtics thanks to a Busuttil Leaver brace, the second from a penalty stroke.
Celtics pulled one back from another penalty stroke, scored by Bugeja. They created further scoring opportunities through Ghio and the same Bugeja but five minutes from time Busuttil Leaver sealed his hat-trick when he robbed Camilleri of the ball, rounded Abdilla and slotted into an empty net.
Rabat broke little sweat in disposing of the challenge of a Pasta Poiatti side shorn of the services of the suspended Micallef, Chircop and Magri.
A half-time lead of 2-0 was increased by a further three goals before David Housely pulled one back for Qormi. Before the final whistle Pasta Poiatti goalkeeper Azzopardi saved a penalty before Rabat rounded off a half-dozen in the final minutes. For the record Punch & Judy's goals were scored by Josef Antonelli (4) and Jason Vella (2).
All teams now have three games to play. Leaders Rabat, on paper, have the more difficult run-in with matches against Celtics, The Hunters Tower Rest (May 2) and Sliema Hs on the final day (May 15). The Hunters Tower face The George Pub on Sunday, the all important one against Rabat and round off the campaign against Celtics on the final day of the league.