After the COVID-19 induced abrupt end to season 2019-2020, hockey competitions resumed at the Corradino Hockey Complex albeit under the required protocols and, unfortunately, without the presence of spectators.
Having cancelled last season’s KO Competition, the Hockey Association Council opted not to start the new season with the Super Cup instead the teams moved straight into the Challenge Cup with White Hart and Qormi Daikin setting the ball rolling last week.
Champions Qormi seemed to be feeling the absence of six months from competitive hockey and they took their time to find some sort of rhythm.
However, once Steve Portelli fired in the first goal from a penalty corner move there was little hope that White Hart would get anything out of the game.
Qormi Daikin captain Steve Tanti got three, Juan Sarcia, Ayrton Falzon, Shawn Dimech and Daniel Ellul completed an 8-1 rout with Simon Baldacchino getting White Hart’s consolation goal.
Edward Hughes and Nathan Galea controlled the game.
Simon Baldacchino was once again on the score sheet on Sunday this time with a brace as White Hart and Rabat battled to an entertaining 3-3 draw.
Baldacchino put the Reds in front but Rabat recovered well and two goals from Shawn Falzon and another from Jonathan Seychell saw them head into the final quarter of the game 3-1 ahead.
White Hart, however, did not throw in the towel as they pressed their opponents into their half. David Agius pulled one back from a penalty corner and right on the stroke of time Baldacchino was on hand to smash in the equaliser. The umpires were Edward Hughes and Nathan Galea.
Sunday’s second game saw Gree Sliema Hs beat Floriana Young Stars 3-1.
The first two quarters of the game, controlled by Keith Calleja and John Williams, were a lacklustre affair with both teams seemingly taking their time to get to grips with the lack of match practice.
A goal from Christ Agius saw Gree Sliema take a 1-0 lead into half-time.
The game picked up in the second part and Christian Sammut and Shaun Grima from the penalty spot made the score 3-0 for Gree Sliema.
Justin Farrugia got the consolation goal for Young Stars.
