Debutant Borg inspires Malta to victory

Malta 31
Andorra 24

The rugby national team put their Nations Cup campaign back on track yesterday when holding off Andorra's late surge to grind out a 31-24 victory at the Hibs Ground. It was Malta's first success in the Division 2B qualifiers and the 15th overall in international competition.

Ryan Borg was the star performer, completing his first international outing with 16 points. His achievement assumes added significance when one considers that it was the first time Òhe was playing a Rugby Union match. Back in Australia, where Borg is based, he plays Rugby League for Cronulla Sharks in New South Wales.

The Maltese put on a strong attacking performance in the first half, also inspired by Jamie Caruana and Guy Kennedy, before digging deep into their energy reserves to survive Andorra's comeback bid.

This victory was an ideal boost for the Maltese ahead of next Saturday's tough trip to Siedlce where they will face group favourites Poland.

Malta were off to a flier. After five minutes Dominic St George burst through to score the hosts' first try which was converted by Borg.

Borg was again on target a minute later from a penalty but then Damian Neill's team suffered a blow on ten minutes when John Dimmond was yellow-carded for a robust challenge on Marc Gispert. Malta had a man less for the next ten minutes.

The visitors profited from the situation. Antoni Carmona got a try that was converted by Marc Abello to leave Malta 10-7 ahead.

Malta, still with 14 players, went on the offensive despite the numerical handicap. Caruana, so efficient when in possession, breached the Andorra defence again for another try which was converted by Borg. The gap increased to 13 points when Borg scored from another penalty.

Andorra had Carmona sin-binned but hit back just before the break with a Pons try that was again converted by Abello. HT: 20-14.

Malta needed some quick points after the interval and Borg delivered again. First, he scored a penalty to make it 23-14 and then he set up Lee Culnane for a try.

Andorra were not finished yet. Magallon pulled his team back into the reckoning with two tries that were sandwiched in between another Borg penalty - 31-24.

Andorra piled on the pressure late on but Malta held on to the delight of the hundreds who packed the stands at the Hibs Ground. The national team is still bottom in the five-team group but now fourth-placed Andorra are just one point ahead, having played a match more.

Malta: K. Mason, M. McArdle, T. Webb, L. Watts, S. Zarb, D. St George 5, S. Kempster, G. Kennedy, J. Dimond, T. Watts, O. Sacco, J. Caruana 5, D. Busuttil, L. Culnane 5, R. Borg 16. Subs: L. Mifsud, M. Mirabelli, M. Attard.

Andorra: X. Vilasetru, I. Tchelitze, O. Cabanas, X. Naranjo, P. Alieu, D. Kirkashvili, A. Carmona 5, P. Ambor, J. Garcia, E. Perez, M. Abello 4, R. Fite, M. Gispert, J. Magallon 10, C. Pons 5. Subs: D. Astrie, O. Anis, A. Barenas, M. Martinez.

Referee: S. Mallon (Netherlands).

Aftermatch comments

Ryan Borg could not hide his delight after his man-of-the-match performance yesterday.

"It was a great team performance," he said.

"I don't think it's fair to single out players today because each member of the team did his part and followed the coach's instructions.

"Andorra were very strong, especially in the second half, but we badly wanted to win this match. In the end, the team's battling qualities saw us through.

"This result and performance will remain indelible in my mind as it was my first match in Rugby Union and I really enjoyed it. Playing in such an atmosphere is great. I hope to be involved in many more games for the national team."

Next match: Poland vs Malta (May 19 - Siedlce).