Champions start with record win over Qormi

The opening day of the 2005-2006 women's league championship produced a goalscoring bonanza as a staggering 26 goals were scored in the two matches played last Wednesday at the Pace Grasso Ground.

Champions Hibernians began their title defence with a bang after thrashing Qormi 20-0. In the other match, Sta Venera Lightnings were also off to a flier after beating Rabat 5-1. Both matches were preceded with a minute's silence in memory of Graziella Fenech, the former Sta Venera player who died in a traffic accident last month.

Qormi's first competitive match after an absence of five years ended on a disappointing note as they were overwhelmed by the strong Paolites who scored 10 goals in each half to record the biggest ever win in women's football in Malta.

Dorianne Theuma and Ylenia Carabott scored six goals each, with the former converting two penalty kicks. Tessie Agius and Tereza Zammit both netted a brace with the other goals coming from Dionne Tonna, Mandy Debono, Shana Debono (penalty) and Maria Azzopardi.

Qormi finished the match with ten players after the first-half dismissal of Graziella Stellini.

In the opening game of the day, Joe Carbonaro had a positive debut as coach of Sta Venera when leading his team to a win over Rabat Ajax. After a balanced first half, Sta Venera took control of the match in the second period. Therese Briffa and Samantha Bray gave the Saints a two-goal lead before Janice Zahra pulled one back for Rabat from a penalty.

Still, Sta Venera were not to be denied and goals from Briffa, Odette Micallef and Bray gave them a comfortable 5-1 win.

Sunday's matches - 9 a.m. Mosta vs Birkirkara; 11 a.m. Melita vs Raiders.