The semi-finals of the Challenge Cup, played on Sunday, served up two interesting games. In the first game Rabat overcome the stiff challenge offered by Qormi and beat them by the odd goal in three after coming from behind.

While the Rabat victory was certainly on the cards, the result of the second game, a 4-3 victory for Britannia Tours White Hart over Floriana Young Stars was certainly not as expected. On the day however it wasn’t undeserved.

In the first game of the day Rabat were made to fight hard by a determined and well-organised Qormi side.

The game was well fought between the two sides. Four minute from half time Rabat had a gilt edged opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke but James Azzopardi’s flick went wide.

Rabat started the second half strongly but on the quarter hour it was Qormi who took the lead. A cross by Chris Bugeja was allowed to cross the goalmouth and Magri stepped up at the far post to put his side into the lead.

The lead barely lasted five minutes as Josef Antonelli picked up a Jason Vella cross and with a reverse hit surprised the Qormi defence to put the sides level. Five minutes from time Perales was impeded in the dee and Rabat were awarded a second stroke. This time Bugeja stepped up and flicked high into the net to send his side into the final.

In tomorrow’s final they will be facing Britannia Tours White Hart who edged out Floriana YS in a 4-3 thriller. The game got of to a flying start with White Hart goalkeeper pulling off a fine save off a Camilleri flick in the 2 minute. Two minutes later, however, he was beaten by Hughes who flicked in from the top of the dee.

White Hart’s reaction was not long in coming and following a good run by Torpiano it was David Agius who pushed in. 1-1 after barely five minutes. The half remained balanced with Evans and Hughes the main threat for Young Stars and Tua and an inspired Simon Agius leading White Hart’s attacks.

Five minutes into the second half Young Stars pulled ahead again. Magro and DeRaffaele worked well to set up Ryan Gatt who beat Galea. Again White Hart reacted strongly as Torpiano brought the best out of Mizzi in the Floriana goal. Between the 12 and 15 minute White Hart turned the game.

From two well executed short corner set pieces first Borg Costanzi flicked in after being set up by Simon Agius and then the same Agius hammered in from the top of the dee. 3-2 to White Hart.

As is their style, Young Stars weren’t going to take this setback sitting down and they pushed forward determined to level the score. On 21 minutes two consecutive short corners failed to produce result and on 23 minutes it was Galea who stopped Evans from scoring.

Evans, however, was not to be denied and following a goalmouth melee he beat Galea with a reverse push. Young Stars kept up the pressure determined to get the winner and Camilleri thought he had got the all-important goal but his flick was deflected on to the upright by goalkeeper Galea.

Instead it was White Hart to strike two minutes from time. Again from a short corner and again it was Simon Agius who hammered in from the edge of the dee to send his team into the final. Have Tabone’s boys come of age?