A storming win for Kavallieri

Kavallieri 25
Stompers 24

By Mike Turner

Stompers had the best of it territorially but despite their superb passing and running, time after time the waves of their attacks broke on the rock like Kavallieri defence. After a long session of Stompers pressure, with Camilleri bursting from full back, as he did throughout the match, Kavallieri suddenly upped their gear and struck into the Stompers half. A good bout of passing set loose the promising youngster Kris Zammit, but he was tackled by Camilleri. Kavallieri pack won ball, the backs interpassed to close to the line and the forwards drove over for a try by the evergreen Grima.

The next Kavallieri score came after they made an awful hash of a line out, but Stompers made a series of handling errors which sacrificed some 30 metres, from which platform Agius, from New Zealand, scored with a delightful swerving and side stepping run through the defence. He then scored yet again after Stompers Galea missed a simple tackle, to put Kavallieri 15 points ahead, and the match looked dead.

Stompers came back on the attack deep into Kavallieri territory, but Kavallieri drove out of defence with one of their trademark driving mauls. Nevertheless Stompers were giving all and finally Camilleri went in at the corner, Kavallieri’s Debierre was lucky to stay on the field as he committed a dangerous collar grab. Stompers had Kavallieri rattled for the first time and finally scored after Vassallo had been given a yellow card, Attard converting to make it 15-12 at half time.

Attard made a brilliant break but a scoring pass was dropped, and Kavallieri’s Doublesin left the field injured. Allegrucci dropped back to full back and steadied the defence with accurate kicking. Attard kicked the ball through and was clear to run but the wicked bounce of the rugby ball completely tricked him and it cruelly robbed him.

Stompers Zerafa is improving in confidence with experience and Kavallieri’s Cutajar had a storming match in tight and loose, although it was strange that he was not allowed to take the place kicks, which might have increased their point tally.

Stompers finally took the lead with a lovely run by Attard which left the field for dead, but he missed an easy conversion which actually lost the match.

Stompers mistakenly tried to run the ball out of their own 22 metre, the ball was scrambled into touch and the great Kavallieri spirit kicked in with a driving maul from the line out and a score by Grech.

Stompers attacked yet again, but a poor pass by Attard ruined the move and Bradley

earned himself a yellow card in frustration. Two penalties gave Kavallieri territory and yet another trade mark driving maul for Borda to score and extend the lead. The Kavallieri youngsters were showing huge character and promise as they fitted into the well coached side. However Stompers were not finished and a series of off loaded support attacks ended with a classic, well timed passing move along the backline for Camilleri to score and Attard to convert to bring them within one point.

A fine match of running rugby which exhibited the general improvement in Maltese rugby.

Malta Women

Malta women A 39
Fakenham RFC UK 10

Another excellent game of exciting running rugby played 13 a side  in which the Maltese girls outplayed a gallant UK team with their superior pace and speed of thought.  Considering that several of the Maltese ladies are beginners at the game this was a major achievement.