Stompers TGIF 20
Globalair Overseas 10
This was a match Stompers were fortunate to win and one that was marked by inexperienced refereeing. The rucks were badly controlled, Stompers were almost permanently offside, and lay about in obstructive positions and several high tackles were left unpunished.
Overseas enjoyed territorial advantage but failed to take penalty kicks at goal, wasting some 16 potential points. After 15 minutes of Overseas pressure, centre Christopher Morten intercepted for Stompers to run 75 metres for a try converted by left winger Jovan Reljic.
Overseas went back into attack but could not find a way through, actually choosing not to take penalties for the points. A big factor was that Stompers were allowed to mark from an offside position.
Stompers gained ground with big kicks and Reljic showed Overseas the way by kicking a penalty.
Mario Fountain was having a fine game at full back for Stompers as was Andrew O'Reilly for Overseas. When Stompers were able to release their backs, Morten was always dangerous, at one time beating six tacklers.
Stompers scrum-half Edward Willis was yellow-carded for a high tackle, and the half ended at 10-0 for Stompers. Stompers began the second half with a superb run by Fountain who was stopped in extremis but veteran Christoffel Diamantino was at hand to drive in for the try.
Overseas scrum-half David Judd was yellow-carded, to be followed by eight lock Keith Zammit of Stompers. Overseas' winger Dean Mifsud Bonnici is improving enormously and made two fine tackles on Luke Debattista and Fountain.
In a rare Stompers attack, Morten scored a fine try but Overseas powered back for Neil West to drive over.
Stompers' Diamantino was yellow-carded for persistent infringing and Overseas surged hard to gain a foothold in opposing territory.
West scored a second try from a maul but it was all too late.
Stompers full-back Fountain was chosen as the man of the match.
Stompers will play Kavallieri in the MRFU Cup final on Saturday, April 26. Kavallieri were awarded a walk-over as opponents Alligators Cisk Export didn't have enough players to form a team for the match.
MRFU Cup standings: Kavallieri 21; Stompers 16; Globalair Overseas 12; Alligators 5; Qormi Sharks 0.
Ben Bennett sevens Tri-Championship
Kavallieri York Cisk 39
Panthers Huggins 0
Kavallieri's Nadia Gosney ran rampant with four tries.
Dorianne Borg, Esther Azzopardi and Ritienne Bondin notched up one try a piece. Azzopardi converted twice.
Sharks Saddles 41
Panthers Huggins 0
Panthers just had no answer to the Sharks' speed. Tessabelle Sultana and Charmaine Gauci scored three tries each, Martina Vassallo had one and Chantelle Demanuele converted three.
Sharks 17
Kavallieri 0
Kavallieri enjoyed most of the territorial advantage but could not quite penetrate the Sharks defence in a scoreless first half.
Straight from the second half kick-off, Sharks gained good ground and spun the ball out to Sultana to make a strong run, only to be stopped by a fine covering tackle by Azzopardi.
However, Chantelle Demanuele was in support to take up the offload and score. From then on, Sharks moved up a gear.
Claire Casha scored a try after good teamwork and passing, Demanuele converted. Beverlie Sultana notched the final try for Sharks, again after good support running created the gap.
Standings: Sharks Saddles 96 - champions; Kavallieri 79; Panthers Huggins 0.