Malta wrap up campaign in style

Malta 27
Latvia 10

The national team produced a scintillating display of attacking rugby to ease past Latvia 27-10 at the Hibs Stadium yesterday.

Backed by another colourful crowd, Damien Neill's men shrugged aside the upset to the Netherlands in the previous match as they fully profited from the Latvians' static play, mainly in defence, to chalk up a fourth victory from eight qualifiers and finish third overall with 16 points in Division 2B.

All players in the Malta shirt deserve praise but the excellent performances of Thomas Holloway and James O'Brien were singled out by many at the end of the match. The inspirational duo were menacing each time they embarked on a run while captain Dominic Busuttil led by example with some timely tackling that stifled Latvia each time they tried a comeback.

This has been an outstanding campaign for Neill who seems to have assembled a very strong group of players that, with more playing time together, could produce a stronger challenge and, perhaps, also vie for promotion next term.

Latvia, struggling to avoid the drop, had the first chance to open the score when they won a penalty on four minutes but Pepa Reins's effort from 30 metres out lacked power and precision.

Reins was then sin-binned for foul play and from the scrum the elusive Thomas Holloway found a way through the Latvian pack to score the first try of the match. O'Brien made no mistake from the conversion.

The hosts were clearly on top of their game. On resumption, Holloway stole the ball and sped through before serving O'Brien who found little difficulty in scoring Malta's second try. The Waterloo full-back failed to hit the target from the conversion but Malta still led 12-0 so early in the game.

The Latvians tried to get back in it and bridged the gap when their pack powered its way to the line and scored a try through Avdejevs Sergejs. Rankis Valters missing the conversion.

The match was now evenly balanced with the east Europeans trying to step up the tempo but with scant award as a solid Malta rearguard held off all their forays to preserve a seven-point lead at half-time.

Neill was forced to effect his first change nine minutes after the break when the limping Matthew Mirabelli was replaced by debutant Matthew Camilleri.

But that did little to deter the Maltese who quickly clicked into gear. Busuttil picked Oliver Sacco and Malta's leading try-scorer did not miss for his ninth try overall in international matches. O'Brien again missed the conversion to leave Malta 17-5 ahead.

Latvia were running out of ideas and on 56 minutes Robert Holloway found a way through before quickly setting up Matthew Jarrett who had the easiest of tries. O'Brien scored the conversion this time to stretch Malta's lead to 24-5.

Neill roped in Ian Borda to hand the Kavallieri front row his 33rd appearance and become the most represented player in the national team's history.

The Latvians suddenly found a new spurt of energy and ten minutes from time Augustis Augstikalns reduced the gap to 24-10 with his team's second try of the day. Reins, however, again missed the conversion.

Malta regrouped and came agonisingly close to add three more points on the board but O'Brien's penalty came off the upright. However, O'Brien was quick to make amends for that one as four minutes from time he found his range from another penalty to make it a final 27-10 scoreline.

Neill's comments

Malta coach Damien Neill was satisfied his team had rounded up the campaign with a fine showing and a victory.

"The trip from Holland left its mark on the players but today they were simply superb," he said.

"Latvia made it difficult for us with their physical play and at times it was not easy for us to find openings. However, when we succeeded in turning the ball around with purpose, they struggled to keep up with our pace. All in all, this was a deserved victory for Malta and I'm happy for the team and the fans who backed us all the way."

Neill is already looking ahead for the new competition.

"Malta finished third in this group and that was no easy task. But now we have to look ahead. This is a strong squad we have and the ones coming up look very promising. There's time on our side ahead of our next match but the future indeed looks bright."

Other result: Croatia vs Netherlands 16-14.

May 1: Sweden vs Croatia (at Enkoping).

Standings: Netherlands (7-0-1) 22; Croatia (6-0-1) 19; Malta (4-0-4) 16; Latvia (1-0-7) 10; Sweden (1-0-6) 9.

Malta
A. Livesey, M. McArdle, P. Bradley, L. Watts, C. Cassar, M. Bonavia, J. Howlands, R. Bonavia, T. Holloway-5, R. Holloway, M. Mirabelli, D. Busuttil, M. Jarrett-5, O. Sacco-5, J. O. Brien-12. Subs used: M. Camilleri, C. Sammut, I. Borda, J. Cutajar.

Latvia
E. Cirulis, A. Andris, J. Skuja, T. Vjaceslavs, B. Sandis, M. Ceksters, A. Augstikalns-5, B. Leno, A. Sergejs-5, J. Priede, N. Berzins, K. Ruslans, V. Silvoniks, P. Reins, R. Valters. Subs used: A. Andersons, M. Laronovs, A. Panasjuks, H. Vitalus, D. Bakirovos.

Referee: Mauro Dordolo (Italy).