On Sunday, with Rabat having a rest day, Sliema Hs took advantage and moved three points clear at the top of the table following a hard fought 4-3 victory over Britannia Tours WH. The Hunters’ Tower Rest YS rekindled their challenge with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Poiatti Qormi.

The final score of 4-3 shows clearly how much Sliema Hs had to work before they made sure of the three points.

At one stage they were leading by a flattering 4-1 score but Britannia Tours kept pegging away an almost snatched a draw. The game was characterised by defensive mistakes.

White Hart started off the better side with Sliema being rather lethargic in their game. The game exploded into life after half an hour when Sliema upped a gear and took a two-goal lead in the space of five minutes.

Simon Baldacchino put them in the lead after he received from Liam Pace and Ray Bezzina doubled when he shrugged off a number of challenges and beat Galea. This lead was reduced a couple of minutes later when following a short corner move it was Luke Borg Costanzi who was quickest on to the rebound to beat Mallia.

Sliema, however, took a two-goal lead into the break when right on the stroke of time Baldacchino took advantage of some poor marking and scored his second of the game.

When Sliema scored number four, through Liam Pace, eleven minutes into the second half, the game looked well and truly over, but Sliema were never comfortable and Mario Falzon made it 4-2 after 15 minutes.

White Hart kept at their game and Cremona hit just wide from a short corner. At the other end Baldacchino should have done better following a good Imbroll run. After 23 minutes, White Hart pulled another one back when Falzon took advantage of some confusion in the Sliema defence to score his second of the day.

Three minutes later Tua almost put the teams level but his reverse hit went just wide. At this point Britannia Tours seemed to tire out as Sliema closed ranks to defend their advantage.

After two consecutive defeats, The Hunters Tower Rest YS returned to victory with a bang and revitalised their title hopes. Poiatti Qormi, despite having Philip Magri back in their squad, have now gone five games without a victory. Things got off on the wrong foot on Sunday when after three minutes Mark Camilleri flicked Young Stars in front following a short corner.

In the 11th minute Young Stars doubled. Qormi’s goalkeeper brilliantly saved two attempts at goal but could nothing to stop Nicky Agius Darmanin picking up a rebound and scoring.

Five minutes later and Qormi were back in the game when Chris Bugeja scored following a short corner. Young Stars remained dangerous from short corners and almost on the stroke of half time, after Chircop had saved off Hughes and Williams; it was Mark Camilleri who restored Young Stars’ two-goal cushion.

The second half opened with two good saves from Mizzi in the Young Stars goal following attempts by Magri and Frankie Bugeja. However after nine minutes Young Stars went further ahead. Following another short corner, an attempt by Evans was blocked but Ivan Magro picked up the rebound and scored.

Qormi were demoralised and on 17 minutes David Evans got on the scoresheet with a fine personal effort. The last 15 minutes saw Qormi trying to reduce the score line but attempts by Ghio, Bartolo and F. Bugeja were all blocked by Mizzi.

Two more games are being played today. Rabat Depiro will try to rejoin Sliema at the top of the table when they face Poiatti Qormi at 9am.

The first round match ended 4-0 in favour of the reigning champions.

In the second game of the day The Hunters Tower Rest YS will go all out to take a further three points when they face Britannia Tours WH at 11am.

The first round game ended 4-0 in their favour.