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HAM

Sunday marked one of the highest scoring days at the Kordin Hockey Complex, when an incredible 11 goals where scored in just 2 games of the Challenge Cup. The synthetic pitch is providing the spectators with highly entertaining hockey matches.

Punch and Judy Rabat 4 vs. Sliema Hs 1
H.T. 2-0
Umpires: Andre Ghigo and Paul Brincat

Punch and Judy Rabat started their season commitments two weeks ago by lifting the Super Cup with a 3-1 victory against Hunters Tower Rest. YS, this week they continued where they left of with a 4-1 win against Sliema Hs. Punch and Judy Rabat are proving that once again they are the team to beat this season. Players such as Josef Antonelli and Kevin Micallef are showing their true potential with the introduction of the synthetic pitch. In the first 15 minutes of the match Sliema pressured the Rabat players into their own half and besides having what seemed like a valid penalty appeal turned downed they forced 2 short corners in the initial stages of the game. In the first instance, Michael Caruana Smith’s flick was sailing into the top right corner of the goalpost but Rabat’s goalkeeper did well to parry the effort. Punch and Judy got their act together and went close to opening the score on several occasions. Jonathan Seychell missed a clear opportunity for Punch & Judy after a good pass from Micallef found him unmarked inside the shooting circle while at the other end Steven Cachia missed a very good opportunity after being set up by Simon Baldacchino. Jonathan Seychell broke the deadlock for Punch & Judy 10 minutes from the half time. He deflected the ball into the net after Jason Vella’s initial hit at goal turned into an assist for the nifty striker. Punch and Judy then doubled the lead on the stroke of half time when Robert Aquilina scored from a well taken short corner.

In the second half Sliema seemed to have re-grouped but against the run of play Kevin Micallef scored the 3-0 for the Champions. At this point it seemed the game was over but from a well taken short corner Shawn Mifsud scored to make it 3-1. The game continued to produce entertaining duels in midfield and with 3 minutes remaining on the clock, Jonathan Seychell scored the definite 4-1 for Punch and Judy Rabat. With this defeat Sliema Hs are out of the semi final place and will meet with the 3rd placed team in Group A to decide the 5th/6th place of the Challenge Cup. On the other hand Punch & Judy assured themselves, and Pasta Poiatti Qormi, of a ticket for the semi finals with a game to spare. Punch and Judy Rabat will meet Pasta Poiatti next week to decide the final standings of Group B.






Hunters Tower Rest. (YS) 4 vs. The George Pub WH 2
H.T. 2-2
Umpires: Joe Lewis and Ian Crockford

The George Pub needed a win to qualify directly for the semi finals after they beat Celtics YS last week. For Hunters Tower it was their first commitment in the Challenge Cup. With barely 3 minutes gone from the start Hunters Tower took the lead thanks to a goal from youngster Jonathan Ellul. Ellul met a through ball from Nicky Agius Darmanin on the run and with a swift reverse push wrong footed Galea in The George Pub goal to score the opening goal of the match. The George Pub reacted quickly and made it 1-1 thanks to a goal from Mario Falzon. The game was free flowing and highly entertaining and from a short corner, The George Pub took the lead when Luke Busutill Leaver fired in an incredible hit that left the Hunters Tower keeper helpless. In a couple of minutes The George Pub had turned the game into their favour but Hunters Tower didn’t throw in the towel. Jonathan Ellul scored his second to make the score line level for the third time after an inspiring Nicky Agius Darmanin found him unmarked. The half time whistle found the two teams tied on a 2-2 score line.

The game remained entertaining and it was Hunters Tower who took the lead for the second time after Charles Micallef hit a wonderful hit from a short corner with The George Pub defence caught napping. With the score 3-2 for Hunters Tower, The George Pub rallied for the sixth goal and they went close when Dejan Mihajlovic shot from close range but his effort was saved on the line Dalli. Nicky Agius Darmanin then capped a wonderful display late in the game with a solo goal that put the game beyond doubt. With this victory, Hunters Tower Rest. have moved a step closer to qualification for the semi finals. They have to take at least a point against Celtic YS next week while The George Pub will be hoping that Hunters Tower do not lose so that they can assure themselves of a place in the semi finals.

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