Overseas' superior pack flays Alligators

Alligators Cisk Exp. 0
Globalair Overseas 31

There was an air of great expectation around this game as Globalair Overseas were making their eagerly-anticipated debut in this year's Cisk Lager championship.

A lot had been said about the appointment of ex-Malta international Phillip Felice as Overseas' new coach while reports that they had unearthed some new talent also marked the build-up to their league debut. But up against a feisty Alligators team, Overseas had to work hard to dominate.

One notable missing face for Globalair Overseas was captain Daryl Psaila who was on international duty, making his first start for Malta in a Nations Cup match in Croatia.

Up front in the forwards, Overseas ground down the Alligators pack but when they veered wide, trying to move the ball through the backline, it all seemed to come unstuck.

The ball moved too slowly through the hands, their kicking game just didn't seem to get going and there was no pace in their running either. Very uncharacteristic for Overseas who, in the past, had always played the wide ball with confidence.

Alligators' fly-half Jamie Acheson has a few tricks up his sleeve, he can step, run and kick well. He kept Overseas guessing as to what he was going to do next.

But the Overseas' pack kept toiling away and holes began to appear in the Alligators' defensive line.

With the Overseas loose forwards finally beginning to link up, they were able to put their blindside flanker in for three tries.

It was a scrappy game of rugby but Overseas could be excused for being a bit rusty, given that this was their first outing of the season.

Alligators are surprising everyone with their competitive spirit and they are likely to get better as they gain fitness and confidence.

This was a landmark match for local rugby as both touch judges were women who have recently completed the referee's course.

Alligators: A. Cutajar, T. Micallef, P. Caruana, L. Xuereb, S. Strijbosch, T. Muscat, M. Mamo, T. Womack, B. Sammut, J. Acheson, M. Abdilla, M. Farrugia, M. Bianchi, K. Grixti, R. Parnis England.

Overseas: S. Schembri-Warren, D. Goodwin, P. Camilleri, T. Devaney, C. Cassar, A. O'Reilly, J. Howland, P. Allen, D. Mifsud Bonnici, J. Barlogio, D. Azzopardi, G. Van Reevan, C. Cachia, P. Sparling, D. Judd.

Referee: Samuel Ramage.

Cisk Lager player of the match: Clayton Cassar (Overseas).