Classy Poland too strong for spirited Malta

Malta 16
Poland 29

Poland underlined their strength in the Nations Cup Group 2B when they overpowered Malta in a qualifier played in front of a packed Hibs Ground yesterday.

The Poles, with four players hailing from the professional French League, underlined their pedigree with a classy performance of powerful rugby.

Malta did try to offer a challenge to the group winners and frustrated Poland with some stout defensive play. But, in the end, the more experienced Poles proved too strong for the hosts who succumbed to a fifth defeat in the group.

Poland finished top with 22 points while Malta remain fourth with 11 points, two ahead of Andorra. The latter will host Malta in La Vella next weekend in a decisive match to avoid relegation to Division 3A.

It was Poland who struck first after 12 minutes when Dawid Banasek intercepted Rohan Spiteri's pass and the centre stormed clean through to score a try between the posts. Jurij Buhalo scored the converstion to put Poland 7-0 ahead.

Malta's response included some good running from hooker Harry Collins. On 22 minutes, he earned a penalty that was converted by centre Paul Marzella.

Poland had Pawel Novak yellow carded for foul play on 25 minutes but Malta failed to profit from an extra man on the field. Instead, it was the visitors who scored two minutes from the interval when Maciej Miskiewicz concluded some good passing play for the visitors' second try of the match. Buhalo again cooly converted and Poland led 14-3.

Before half-time, Malta closed the gap when Marzella scored from another penalty.

Poland, however, increased their advantage after the restart when Buhalo scored from a penalty. The match went beyond the hosts' reach on the hour when from a fine team move it was Buhalo who stormed through for the try to extend Poland's lead to 22-6.

The Poles kept piling up the pressure but on 65 minutes Kamil Dudlowski was sin-binned for foul play and Marzella profited when scoring his third penalty of the day - 22-9.

But, two minutes from time substitute Lukas Zorawski scored Poland's fourth try which was easily converted by Dawid Banaszek.

Late on, Malta's resilent play was rewarded when Luke Vella ran between the posts for a try and Marzella duly converted for a final 29-16 scoreline.

Standings: Poland 22; Latvia 18; Croatia 16; Malta 11; Andorra 9.

Remaining match (Saturday): Andorra vs Malta.

Aftermatch comments

Damien Neill, the Malta coach, was pleased with the spirit shown by his players.

"Poland are a very strong team and put us under pressure for much of the match," he said.

"But my players showed great character and never gave up. I think, any other team at this group would have folded against such tough opposition but we kept trying till the end. That final try was a just reward for our efforts."

Looking ahead to the match against Andorra, Neill said: "I'm concerned with the number of injured players we have. We've got Oliver Sacco, Paul Marzella and James Finlason who are struggling for fitness.

"But, this week, we'll try to recover and get back into shape. We lost against Poland but the performance was indeed encouraging. In a way, it was a psychological fillip for the players ahead of our trip to Andorra."

Malta
I. Borda, H. Collins, K. Mason, D. Borg, D. Psaila, S. Kempster, P. Calgaro, G. Kennedy, J. Finlason, R. Spiteri, L. Culnane, D. Busuttil, P. Marzella 11, L. Vella 5, O. Sacco.

Subs used: M. Bonavia, M. Mirabelli, A. Galea, C. Cassar, M. McArdle.

Poland
A. Bartoszewicz, Y. Lewandowski, M. Wilczuk, M. Kruzycki, R. Andrzejczuk, C. Monarcha, K. Dudkowski, P. Nowak, L. Szostek, D. Poplawski, M. Miskiewicz 5, T. Stepien, D. Banaszek 7, M. Malochwy, J. Buhalo 12.

Subs used: J. Wojaczek, K. Lawski, P. Karpinski, L. Zorawski 5, K. Korbolewski.

Referee: Paolo Ventura (Italy).