Umpires: Reno Cremona and Liam Pace

In one of the best games, with regard to the quality of hockey played, seen so far at Kordin, Rabat Depiro overcame stiff opposition from Poiatti Qormi and beat them 3-1 rejoining Sliema Hs at the top of the Blue Label National League.

Qormi’s Martin Azzopardi was the first goalkeeper tested when he had to block off Josef Antonelli who was put through by Radojevic.

Qormi responded well and in the space of a few minutes came close to drawing first blood. First Robert Aquilina somehow stopped a powerful strike from Frank Bugeja on the goal line with goalkeeper Ian Azzopardi beaten and a few minutes later Bugeja saw the Rabat goalkeeper block his shot at goal.

After 20 minutes, Rabat struck from their first short corner move. The Qormi keeper saved Radojevic’s hit, but Jason Vella was quickest onto the rebound to net the first goal. Qormi responded with another short corner, with Frank Bugeja’s hit blocked again and the Qormi attackers failing to get to the rebound.

Two minutes from the break Rabat doubled as Seychell and Josef Antonelli combined well down the left and set up Jason Vella who squeezed the ball past Azzopardi.

Poiatti started the second half putting pressure on the Champions but the Rabat rearguard dealt well with any threat posed and with Qormi pushing forward it was inevitable that Rabat’s fast breaks would be dangerous.

Qormi failed to breach the Rabat defence and on the half hour were made to pay the price as once again Seychell and this time Micallef combined well to pick up an unmarked Vella who gleefully notched up his hat trick. Frank Bugeja did finally get his goal when he fired in a consolation goal for Qormi right on the stroke of half time.

Umpires: Ray Micallef and Robert Aquilina

In the second game of the day, The Hunters’ Tower Rest YS kept their title hopes intact when they shrugged of the challenge of a resilient Britannia Tours White Hart winning the game 3-2.

Although much of the first half was played in midfield, it was Young Stars who enjoyed more of the possession and created the best scoring chances.

White Hart’s goalkeeper Galea was soon in action as in the 6th minute he made a double save, first of Camilleri and then blocked Evans. David Evans was having an excellent game for the yellows and was causing all sorts of problems for the White Hart defence.

After 21 minutes, Chris Bonello drove through the White Hart defence and was inevitably fouled. From the resultant penalty stroke Evans made no mistake and put his side in the lead.

On 29 minutes Young Stars doubled when Edward Hughes was allowed to pick out the unmarked Nicky Agius Darmanin whose hit from the top of the dee beat Galea.

Britannia Tours started the second half stronger with Cremona hitting wide after two minutes. After seven minutes they pulled a goal back as Tua fed Mario Falzon who beat Mizzi from close range. White Hart’s joy however was short lived as three minutes later Mark Camilleri consolidated his position as league top scorer with a goal from a short corner move.

As they did against Sliema the previous Sunday, White Hart kept at their game. Agius saw his hit blocked by Mizzi, Busuttil Leaver failed to conclude after being set up by Tua and Cremona saw his hit also saved by Mizzi.

In the 16th minute the score was 3-2 as Luke Borg Costanzi finished off a well-worked short corner move.

After these games Sliema Hs and Rabat Depiro lead the standings on 14 points from six matches. The Hunters’ Tower Rest. YS are on 12 points, also from six matches, while Poiatti Qormi have four points and Britannia Tours are still without any points. The latter two teams have played a match more than the other three.

Leading scorer is Mark Camilleri (Young Stars) with 7 goals

With the race for the title clearly a three horse race, the coming games assume a certain importance as the second round approaches the end.

This Sunday at 9am Rabat Depiro face Britannia Tours White Hart. The first round game ended 1-0 for Rabat. At 11 Sliema Hs will be up against The Hunters’ Tower Rest YS. Their first round match ended in a

2-1 victory for Sliema.