Kavallieri leave it late in cup

Kavallieri 17
Stompers 12

Kavallieri lifted the Ray Elliot Cup after a dramatic win attained in the final seconds of the contest against Stompers as the domestic competitions from the 2010-11 Malta Rugby Football Union season got underway last weekend at Marsa.

The match was refereed by Manchester official Crooks, backed by touch judges Halliday and Cove. They were here on the initiative of John Ranson, the ex-British Lions player who resides in Malta.

From the start, the Kavallieri pack posted their style of domination in possession by recycling ball after ball. Their attacking waves, however, were breaking on the stalwart Stompers defence.

Chris Vassallo made a welcome return for Kavallieri and was prominent throughout the match. Sean Doublesin was always a speedy danger.

Stompers opened the score with a superb try after the full-back fumbled a speculative high kick and Max Galea pounced to score a fine try, converted by Matthew Camilleri. Stompers’ speed was influential in this try.

Kavallieri worked hard to gain territory and Chris Vassallo barged over for a try but Dario Schembri missed the conversion. Player/ coach Matt Emmerson was playing for the first time in ten years and out of position, apparently because of the lack of a fly-half in the Kavallieri squad.

Stompers full-back Mario Fountain was injured. His exit erased a good attack option. At half-time Stompers led 7-5.

They began the second half with some excellent running attacks as they stretched the ball wide.

The game rocked back and forth until Daniel Grima made a 30-metre burrowing run off the back of a lineout to put Kavallieri in front.

Stompers fought back and Keith Azzopardi drove over following a long siege on the Kavallieri line after fine tactical kicking gained position.

Kavallieri’s Mallia was yellow-carded as Stompers led 12-10 and looked the more likely winners.

Then, in the dying moments, a long kick was fielded by Galea who, instead of clearing his line, gave a ‘hospital pass’ inside and Kavallieri pounced, drove for the line and Grima grounded for the winning try, converted by Mallia on his return.

A good start to the new season.