Stompers break the ice

Stompers O'Caseys 29
Alligators Cisk Export 7

Stompers at last showed their growing stature in the national league after taking the Alligators by surprise last weekend with a pace that their more experienced opponents could not match.

It was the first ever league success for Stompers who had a tremendous start to the game, Attard providing the ball to flanker Degiorgio who sprinted 60 metres and scored a central try. Fountain converted to make it 7-0.

Soon after, a lineout provided the same Degiorgio with another opportunity. He grounded the ball on the left wing and made it 12-0.

Stompers prop Camilleri was having a fine game especially in the lineouts and making good ground. Fountain finished a Stompers back-line set-piece with a crash ball that notched up another try (17-0).

In the absence of any corrective measures to shore up their walls, the 'Gator lines were breached again by Attard in the 30th minute to make it 22-0, converted by Fountain 24-0. The lead could have been extended further had Degiorgio not ignored a five-man overlap on the right wing just before the half-time whistle.

Zammit Cutajar went on for Middleton in the Stompers pack but despite 'Gator overtures, the Stompers were firmly encamped in the opponents' half. However, a penalty was quickly picked up by Busuttil who ran through a dishevelled Stompers line before Gasan hit a try - 24-5, easily converted by Thompson (24-7).

The pace slowed down with the 'Gators desperately trying to breach the solid Stompers who closed the game through Matthew Mirabelli in the 37th minute as a result of third phase movement following a rolling maul.