Champions Stompers exploit Overseas' physical decline

Overseas Hopleaf 10
Stompers Tgi Friday 36

With both sides making changes at the end of the season, this match was expected to be a close affair. Indeed the first blood went to Overseas after only a few minutes when they took advantage of a penalty and Piers Allen went over the line to score.

Stompers, however, are a difficult team to unnerve. They replied with a good passing movement down the backs and after a short period of mauling and rucking Sebastian de Giorgio broke free to score.

Overseas forwards had an excellent start to the game with good jumping in the line-out by Allen and the backs who were solid in defence, with Michael Bonavia always so reliable in his cover tackling.

At the turn-round, Stompers, the league champions, led 19-10. Overseas came out fighting for the first 15 minutes of the second half. But then the rot set in as the Overseas' defence tired and Stompers struck, with two runaway tries by Malcolm Attard and Matthew Mirabelli.

This flourish was to be the game's swansong. It must be said, though, that the afternoon showed much talent apart from the actual try scorers. Dave Carrier put in some excellent running and, for someone new, he has a noticeably good sense of space.

Ferry Kemper was tireless all afternoon in the line-outs. The Stompers' backs put on an excellent display of passing and running.

Kavallieri Blue Label 69
Sharks Strongbow 7

It did not take Kavallieri too long to open the scoring when Daniel Grima touched down the ball with a four-man overlap.

But, Sharks got their act together and with heavy pressure from the forwards and some good play by Pierre Azzopardi, they pegged the opposition well back in their 22.

A penalty on their own line finally got Kavallieri out of trouble and they were quickly back on the attack with a sweet passing run followed by a well controlled drive which put Joseph Cutajar over the line.

And so the pattern of the game was set. For territory and possession it was a fairly even game, but when Kavallieri had the upper hand they scored, while Sharks could never just make those final ten yards.

Women's Sevens

Kavallieri 35
Sharks 7

This season Kavallieri have yet to find a team that can provide stiff competition. It is not only that they field the two fastest runners in the women's game, they also pass, loop and back up well.

Sharks put up a strong defence. Charmaine Gauci was very aggressive around the scrum and both forward and backs tackled enthusiastically.

Marion Azzopardi's dedication to the game was well demonstrated in her heroic plunge for the goal line carrying both the ball and an airborne defender on her shoulders. To her go the laurels for scoring the first try against the champions.

It is debatable whether Sevens is the right game for women's rugby. This has been forced on the clubs by a restricted number of members, but with fast runners like Esther Farrugia and AnnaMarie Vella and 5,000 sq. yards to operate in, Kavallieri are always going to run up a big score.

Perhaps, it would be more beneficial for women's teams if every other week, there is Kavallieri vs The Rest 10-a-side match. This could give Kavallieri more competition and take the game one step forward in its logical progression to a 15-player game.

St Cuthberts' tour continued with a midweek match against Kavallieri which broke more ground in co-operation between football and rugby.

The match was played at the Tedesco Stadium and ended in a 15-15 draw, each side scoring three tries.

On Sunday, the UK touring side played an Alligators select at 10-a-side, and ran out easy winners, 98-38. The British boys left praising Maltese hospitality and promised to return.