Kavallieri see off Gators, Stompers tame Lions

Birkirkara Alligators 10
Kavallieri 37

Alligators started well with a great run by Ross du Toit from the halfway line, breaking through the Kavallieri tackles and running in for a try, successfully converted by Chris Briffa.

Kavallieri, however, came back with a shout with their flanker running in a five-metre penalty for a try, with an unsuccessful conversion.

Alligators held strongly in defence but were finally beaten when a Kavallieri line-out was mauled over the line by Robert Bonavia for a try.

Kavallieri's poor handling in the first half meant that numerous opportunities down the line were fluffed. But, Alligators couldn't get ahead in the game as they were constantly straying offside in breakdowns and conceding penalties cheaply. That all culminated in Adan Morales being sin-binned at the end of the half for diving over the ruck.

Kavallieri came back in the second half with a try early on and Bonavia then made a piercing run through the Gators' back line to score another try.

Alligators kept on trying to break through with the combination of their fly-half and centres working efficiently, but each attempt was successfully stopped by Kavallieri who performed a successful rolling maul that produced a Daryl Psaila try.

Alligators' pressure then resulted in a successfully-converted penalty by Briffa only for Kavallieri to chalk up another try after finally passing the ball out to the wing.

Two players were sin-binned after the Kavallieri prop retaliated over a tackle by the Gators' centre. This was a real shame in light of the spirit in which this game was played.

Kavallieri then scored another try at the death as the Gators faded away.

Stompers 52
Valletta Lions 0

Valletta Lions were brought down to earth with a bang by the skilful Stompers. Unfortunately neither of Valletta's first-choice centres were available and there were big holes through which the hard-running Stompers repeatedly burst.

The Valletta pack was sturdy and competitive but when the ball was released Stompers always had the edge. Furthermore, Stompers captain Attard has fine-tuned his place kicking skills and is now much more consistent, landing 12 points in conversions.

Young Matthew Camilleri is a very promising centre for Stompers who can sidestep off either foot. He scored three tries. The strong running Luke Debattista scored two from the right wing, Bradley, Alexander and Tonna one each.

Von Brockdorf had an excellent match for Stompers, tackling well, arriving at the breakdown, and for someone of his slight build, making several powerful drives.

In the first half, Valletta were mesmerised and lost their defensive formation too often to leak 33 points.

However, the team showed their great spirit and for the next quarter prevented Stompers from scoring in the third quarter.

As the Lions tired out, Stompers added more points, but nevertheless had to work hard.