Lightshop Hotsticks 3
Rabat 1

After a rather routine start the match exploded into life when on 12 minutes Sliema Hotsticks were awarded a penalty stroke which Keith Scicluna slotted home to send them ahead.

Rabat reacted immediately but did not take advantage of a couple of half chances soon after.

As the game wore on, the Hotsticks started to dominate proceedings without being able to add to their tally.

Always dependent on counter attacks, on 31 minutes Rabat were awarded three penalty corners in as many minutes, but were unable to breach the Hotsticks’ defence, the half-time whistle blowing with the Sliema team maintaining their slender advantage.

Early in the second half, after the Hotsticks’ custodian had effected a fine save from a close range effort, the score became 2-0 when Lukas Plaehn netted from a penalty corner.

Three minutes later Charlot Antonelli hit the Hotsticks post but Rabat reduced the arrears soon after when they were awarded a penalty stroke which Chris Bugeja converted in style.

The tempo of the game rose significantly with both teams trying hard to consolidate their position.

However, right on the hour, Julian Zahra sealed Hotsticks’ win, which means sole leadership in the standings, with a third goal after receiving a pin-pointed pass from Alessandro Amore.

Umpires: James Mizzi, John Williams.

Standings: Sliema Hotsticks 5; Qormi Poiatti, White Hart 2; Young Stars 1; Rabat 0.