First win for Hibs Sharks

Alligators Cisk 10
Hibernians Sharks 17

Hibernians Sharks finally achieved the first win in competitive ruby after beating Alligators Cisk.

Hibernians Sharks were founded three years ago by a group of young rugby enthusiasts. Despite suffering some humiliating results, Sharks never gave up and last Saturday, they finally succeeded in breaking their duck.

In the first half of the match, Sharks started strongly and kept Alligators on the back foot.

Although Sharks were dominant early on, Alligators refused to give in. Against the run of play, Alligators scored the first try of the match thanks to P. Harvey.

Sharks' dominance in their opponents' half was rewarded when N. Cauchi burst through for a try which was converted by J. Crowford. Sharks led 7-5.

Alligators seemed to find some form of inspiration and a forceful driving maul resulted in another try scored by B. Sammut. R. Parnis England missed the conversion to leave Alligators leading 10-7 at the end of the first half.

In the second half, both sides continued where they had left off, playing an evenly-contested match.

However, it was Sharks who notched two tries through S. Ellul Sullivan and J. Crowford.

At the end of the match, emotions ran high among the Sharks players, knowing that they became the first team to obtain a historic first win for their club.

In his after-match comments, Sharks founding member John Micallef Moreno said that the whole team played excellent rugby on the day.

"Being the youngest team makes me even more proud. This game will hopefully herald a bright future for our club," Micallef Moreno said.

Alligators coach David Cutajar said it was a well-deserved victory for Sharks not just because it's the first in the club's three-year history but for their sheer determination and approach to the game.

"Alligators had some positive moments and should have won an open game," he said. "However, the Sharks defence broke down our numerous attacks and exploited our handling errors and lack of experience in some areas.

"We did well in set-pieces but the constant scrummaging wore down our unfit forwards who failed to support the backs."

Referee: Philip Gibbs.

Stompers TGIF 17
Kavallieri B. Label 14

Despite having already booked their place in the April 4 final, both Kavallieri and Stompers were looking to finish the qualifying phase on a high. It was no surprise that both sides produced some fine rugby watched by a sizeable crowd at Marsa.

Kavallieri started strongly, D. Borg scoring their first try converted by R. Attard.

While Kavallieri constantly relied on their forwards, Stompers stretched Kavallieri to the limit.

P. Satariano inflicted damage by using the whole field while the change of directional play from one side to another also disoriented Kavallieri's defence.

After an evenly-balanced first quarter, Matthew Mirabelli sneaked through Kavallieri's tight defence and captain P. Satariano converted two important points for Stompers.

Veteran L. Mifsud led the Stompers forwards and he also scored the team's second try.

In the second half both sides tried to wear each other down. The Stompers forwards continued to frustrate Kavallieri and C. Diamantino pushed his team in a rolling maul which resulted in a try scored by D. Cerketa.

Stompers thought they were home and dry but Kavallieri had other ideas.

Kavallieri's in-form lock D. Borg got his second try which was converted by R. Attard.

Stompers lost Mirabelli who was yellow-carded and Kavallieri charged forward but they still could not avoid their second defeat to Stompers.

After the final whistle, Stompers player-coach Mirabelli said it was a tough game, as usual, against a strong side.

"We had a few chances which we didn't convert," he said.

"We still have some work to do but I'm happy with the team's performance."

Kavallieri coach Pierre Azzopardi said: "We were not consistent and gave away too many scoring opportunities.

"Our lack of creativity made it easy for Stompers to read our game."

Referee: Steve Busuttil.

Qualifying round

1. Stompers TGI Friday's 12
2. Kavallieri Blue Label 9
3. Globalair Overseas 8
4. Hibernians Sharks 5
5. Alligators Cisk 4