Women's Rugby: Tunisia too strong for Malta

In the first half Malta were clearly a new team and were comparatively disjointed, whereas the Tunisians showed constant team support in good positioning and superb off loading.

Whenever a Tunis lady was stopped she threw a pass to the support she knew would be there, coupled with good angles and directional switches, which gave them the initiative. On the whole, the Maltese girls defended well, Aquilina and Sultana making strong tackles, but captain Azzopardi was completely fooled by the lovely angled and balanced run Ofa for the second try, to build a 12-0 lead at half time.

However, as always the Maltese girls are quick to learn and the second half was very different, with Malta having the better territorially and Azzopardi made amends with a powerful captain’s try. Gauci’s attempted conversion was hopeless, and it is clear that the kicking must be carefully coached.

Unfortunately Sultana allowed her enthusiasm to overflow and she was yellow carded for persistent offending and while she was off, the ever threatening Ofa scored again.

Nevertheless the second half ended with a try apiece and the Malta new girls could be pleased at their showing.
As usual the Malta ladies were in fine partying form in the after match celebrations.
Tunisia has a strong rugby tradition, the men having reached the World Sevens Finals and the ladies have played in Fiji and South Africa.
 

Report by Mike Turner