Two goals in the space of three minutes gave the Qormi side the first honour of the season.

They did it in style, playing attractive hockey, at times leaving last year’s champions Rabat Depiro and favourites, in disarray.

In the first half it was Rabat who had their one and only chance to open the scoring: however after great work by Josef Antonelli, Kenneth Debattista failed to control the ball when all alone in front of goal. Qormi on the other hand brought out the best of Rabat’s goalkeeper, Ian Azzopardi on two separate occasions. Short corners won during this half were 3-2 in favour of Qormi.

In the second half both teams went all out to secure the match: however the young Qormi side seemed to have the upper hand and it came as no surprise, when in the 59th minute they opened the score. It was a good move which started well inside Qormi’s half.

The ball was played by several Qormi players, eventually finding Philip Magri on the 23 metre line who, in turn, shrugged off two tackles and on entering the circle unleashed a reverse hit which left Rabat’s goalkeeper standing.

Rabat’s reaction was immediate – however all their efforts were well controlled by the Qormi defence, which was well marshalled by their central defender Andre Ghio.

On the 62nd minute Qormi doubled the score, winning a free hit just inside the attacking 23 metre area, the ball was played immediately towards the unmarked Jonathan Aquilina who had no difficulty in beating Ian Azzopardi.

Rabat did try to salvage the game, but they were a rather disjointed team and even when Qormi had two players, Daniel Micallef and Andre Ghio, suspended for the last five minutes of the game, they still did not manage to trouble Qormi’s goalkeeper Ramon Chircop.

After the match the HAM president, Christopher Busuttil Leaver, presented the Trophy to Qormi’s captain Daniel Micallef.

Rabat Depiro: Ian Azzopardi, Matthew Buhagiar, Chris. Bugeja, Jason Vella, Brian Tanti, Kevin Micallef, Robert Aquilina, Shawn Falzon, Jonathan Seychell, James Azzopardi, Josef Antonelli, Kenneth Debattista, Rene Antonelli, Branko Radojovic,

Qormi: Ramon Chircop, Aaron Spiteri, Andre Ghio, Joseph Cuschieri, Ryan Brincat Philip Magri, Steve Tanti, Jonathan Aquilina, Rudolph Camilleri, John Williams, Justin Bonello, Keith Calleja, Darrell Housley, Ludwig Xuereb, Gareth Dimech, Daniel Micallef.

Tomorrow sees the beginning of the HAM Challenge Cup when at 9am, Pasta Poiatti Qormi will take on Hunters’ Tower Restaurant Young Stars followed by the encounter between Britannia Tours White Hart and Sliema Hotsticks BDO.