The National League, the top competition organised by the Hockey Association got underway on Sunday and straight away turned up a surprise result as champions Rabat were held to a 2-2 draw by Sliema Hs.

While Rabat have dominated the earlier competitions, taking both the Super Cup and the Challenge, Sliema have been rather dismal in their performances suffering three defeats in the three games they played in the Challenge Cup. Sunday’s game was a different kettle of fish.

While no one could argue that Rabat dominated the game territorially and in the number of scoring chances they created, Sliema put up a gritty performance that frustrated the Rabat juggernaut. Each and every Sliema player stuck to his task and in the end, for the sheer determination that they showed, Sliema deserved the point.

As expected Sliema were soon on the back foot as Rabat pushed forward in search of an early breakthrough and the usually lethal Josef Antonelli fluffed an easy chance with a gapping goal at his mercy.

Sliema rode their early luck and tried to push forward on the break. Rabat’s defence, although rarely under pressure, seemed jittery especially down the flanks.

Despite this, Azzopardi in the Rabat goal was never seriously tested but unfortunately for him the first time he was really brought into action he had to pick the ball out of back of the net.

Midway through the half Sliema broke from defence with Lentini. He passed to Pace who sent Baldacchino through who, despite being pressed by a couple of Rabat defenders, slipped the ball under Azzopardi to put his side in the lead. Sliema held on and kept the lead till half time.

The opening minutes of the second half were a ferocious assault on the Sliema defence as Rabat threw everything into attack. Sliema were penned back into their half but somehow they were holding out as Rabat’s frustration began to effect their play. Their short corner moves lacked precision and their forwards were guilty of snatching at the chances that came their way.

The Sliema defence, with veterans Mallia and Cachia and youngsters Mifsud, Scicluna and Lentini did its bit aided by a battling midfield. Something, however, had to give eventually. In the space of five minutes Rabat’s pressure gave its fruits.

First, Josef Antonelli tapped in from close range following a short corner move and a few minutes later the same Antonelli was impeded in the dee and from the resultant stroke Bugeja put his side in the lead.

Sliema, however, did not resign themselves to the inevitable and were determined to get a reward for their efforts. As Rabat took a breather after pulling back the score, Sliema pushed forward and from their first and only short corner of the day equalised. Their captain Caruana Smith beat Azzopardi with an angled push from the edge of the dee.

Rabat had to start all over again. The final minutes of the game were a repeat of the first part of the second half as Rabat threw everything into attack; but this time round Sliema held for an unexpected point.

Before this game it was Qormi Poiatti who chalked up the first three points of the season when they overcome the opposition of Britannia Tours WH. Both teams were coming from a positive Challenge Cup with White Hart losing the final to Rabat Depiro and Qormi finishing in third place after losing a closely fought semi-final to the same Rabat. The game was tightly balanced and in the end it was Qormi’s experience that won the day.

The first chance fell to Qormi’s Chris Bugeja who failed to latch on to a good through pass from Tanti. For White Hart Borg Costanzi was soon becoming a source of danger and from one of his runs, White Hart won a series of three short corners that failed to give any results.

The game remained balanced although White Hart seemed to miss the work of David Agius in midfield. Qormi pressed more towards the end of the half. First Jonathan Borg saw his reverse hit go just wide; Micallef had an attempt well stopped by Galea in the White Hart goal, as did Housley almost on the stroke of half time.

Housley was again the protagonist seven minutes into the second half but a grounded Galea cleared what seemed like an inevitable goal.

At the other end, Borg Costanzi was a continuous threat as he rounded a couple of Qormi defenders but concluded poorly.

After 18 minutes Qormi scored what was to be the match winner. Chris Bugeja produced a fine run down the right wing; his cross was picked up at the far post by Bianchi who slotted in past Galea.

White Hart’s reaction was immediate and inevitably it came from Borg Costanzi who dribbled his way into the Qormi dee but saw his hit blocked by Qormi’s goalkeeper Chircop.

A few minutes later it was Bugeja who wasted a short corner for Qormi and in the final minute both sides could have added to the score line. First Tua stumbled when he was in a good position after being put through by Giancarlo Torpiano and at the other end Micallef’s hit was well stopped by Andrew Galea.