Relentless play at Marsa

Alligators Cisk Export RFC 17
Overseas Barracudas 12

The first match from the National League this season saw Alligators claiming victory after a convincing first-half performance that laid bare Barracudas' weakness in the pack as well as in full-back cover.

The first try came after barely four minutes when clear possession was capitalised upon by a marauding back line with Chris Pace taking it in at centre ably supported by Jeff Buttigieg. Thompson converted (7-0).

Barracudas retaliated with a try, winger Greg Van Reeven, prominent in the Ray Elliot Cup, scoring on the wing, also converted by Newbould (7-7).

The game then closed up with 'Gator fly-half Thompson often having no choice but to attempt to crash through at close quarters as Barracudas' strong centres closed in.

Barracudas attempted to kick the ball away but Andy Borg, seemingly unsupported at full-back, placed an excellent up and under across the field to the right and winger Marco Abela scooped up to break through and score - 12-7 (unconverted).

A similar kick on the 45' followed up by Adrian Hillman timing the bounce to pick up and make it 17-7 at the end of the first half.

Whereas the first half showed good team spirit by 'Gators, the second half degenerated into a lacklustre struggle as Barracudas probed the 'Gator defence repeatedly.

Scrum-half Brian Dalton put the 'Gator back row, who otherwise had a good game in defensive scrums, under severe pressure.

Then, flanker Piers Allen crashed through to make it 17-12, unconverted, and from then on, it seemed that Barracudas had the upperhand.

Their backs were on a rampage but did not make use of all their possession, partly due to their lack of depth on the bench, with forwards unrelieved despite the gruelling battle up front.

The game went on for a seemingly interminable second half due to injury time but stayed at 17-12.

Stompers O'Caseys 5
Kavallieri Blue Label 10

The opening minutes of this game had the large crowd gaping in awe as the young Stompers team took the ball into a jittery Kavallieri half. Back-row Josh Anastasi and the Stomper backs immediately showed the style of the game, presenting the ball with skill that belied their youth and belittled the Kavallieri size.

Seven minutes into the game, Stompers lock David Borg was sin-binned for a foul that denied a Kavallieri try. But on 13 minutes, with 14 men, Stompers' full-back Mario Fountain scored on the wing, unconverted (5-0).

Kavallieri took stock and consolidated their initially shaky defence with some punishing tackles. On the half hour, Stompers lost pivot Attard through injury and they were forced to re-organise the back line.

Kavallieri equalised (5-5) through a try by full-back Glen Doublesin off a penalty move, conversion failed, in injury time.

The game became a scrappy war of attrition with several substitutions on both sides and Kavallieri using brute force to demoralise the lighter Stompers defence.

Finally, Kavallieri's perseverance paid off when Sean Doublesin ran down the right to make it 10-5. Stompers desperately tried to get back into the game.

Much possession in the last 15 minutes, and repeated crossing incidents with a gaping hole on the Kavallieri left wing, had them rue a flat back line and the loss of key player Attard.