First-half display enough for Stompers

Kavallieri 5
Stompers 7

Champions Kavallieri suffered their first upset of the season as Stompers started this top clash with a certain level of aggressiveness that startled their opponents.

Stompers captain and centre Malcolm Attard promptly intercepted a Kavallieri pass and sped at full throttle to score a try for his team which he himself converted.

By the end of the first half, Stompers were leading 7-0.

Pressure was mounting on Kavallieri and Daryl Psaila acquired a yellow card after a high tackle on Luke Debattista.

But this was a tight match. Stompers retained most of the possession during the first half but balance prevailed after the break with both sides cancelling each other's attacks.

While Stompers looked comfortable to maintain their minimal advantage, Kavallieri struggled to see themselves through, displaying lack of cohesion and bad passing.

Excitement reached a high in the last minutes of the match when Kavallieri's scrum-half Daniel Grima scored a try. Patrizio Allegrucci, however, missed an easy conversion which cost Kavallieri the possibility to draw.

In the end, Stompers preserved the lead for a hard-earned victory.

Overseas 57
Alligators 12

This was a deserved victory for Overseas who produced a very strong performance, scoring good tries, notably by scrum-half Vince Stivala and centre Richard Newbould.

Alligators were no match for their more-organised opponents as Overseas bulldozed through the weak tackling of the 'Gators.

A couple of choral moves spiced up the game, one in particular by promising Overseas player Vince Stivala.

He reacted quickly to win possession from an overlap pass, where he chip-kicked and followed through, eventually scoring a try thanks to a solid team effort which was pleasant to watch.

The second half was less eventful even though the Alligators forwards produced a better performance. Two players stood out for them - quick-thinking fly-half Joe Devaney and versatile centre Michael Farrugia.

The team though, as a whole, had poor ball handling and bad positioning, which unfortunately for them, partly reflected in the outcome of the end result.

Championship Pool B

Valletta Lions 10
Qormi Sharks 20

The recent acquisition of veteran Leo Mifsud by Valletta left a huge impact on this new team. The Citizens upped their game, retaining ball possession in several rucks and mauls.

After a number of solid attacks, Valletta managed to score their first try which was eventually converted by P. Psaila. This was quickly followed up by a penalty which put Valletta 10-0 in front.

But Sharks doubled-up and after missing an easy penalty shot, they hit a try thanks to winger Sergio Pisani just before the end of the first half.

Valletta suffered a mighty blow at the start of the second half when Mifsud got injured.

The team lost its confidence and Sharks took full advantage, going on to score a number of tries, all of which, however, not converted.

Ben Bennet Cup

Sharks 17
Kavallieri 5

Sharks have upped their game significantly since the last time they faced Kavallieri on the field.

Having lost the last three matches of the season, this was definitely a great comeback for Sharks with a stronger defence, winning each scrum in the game for their first victory of the season.

Kavallieri gave their all but the absence of some key players was sorely felt. They also complained of some referee decisions which went against them.