Storming win for Kavallieri

Kavallieri 25
Stompers 24

Kavallieri just scraped home in a gripping Cisk League clash which produced a great deal of quality play from both sides.

Stompers had the best of it territorially but despite their superb passing and running, time after time their attacks broke down against the rock-solid Kavallieri defence.

After a long bout of pressure from Stompers, with Camilleri continuously bursting from full-back, Kavallieri suddenly moved through the gears and struck into their opponents’ half.

A good passage of passing set loose promising youngster Kris Zammit but he was tackled by Camilleri. The Kavallieri pack won the ball, the backs inter-passed to close to the line and the forwards drove over for a try by the evergreen Grima.

The next Kavallieri score came after they had made an awful hash of a line-out. However, Stompers committed a series of handling errors which sacrificed some 30 metres, a platform from which New Zealander Agius scored with a delightful, swerving run.

Agius then scored yet again after Galea, of Stompers, missed a simple tackle, to put Kavallieri 15 points ahead. At this stage, the match looked over as a contest. But Stompers came back on the attack only for Kavallieri to push them back with one of their trademark driving mauls.

Nevertheless, Stompers were giving their all and, finally, Camilleri went in at the corner. Kavallieri’s Debierre was lucky to stay on the field as he committed a dangerous collar grab.

Stompers had Kavallieri rattled and scored again after Vassallo had been handed a yellow card, Attard converting to make it 15-12 at half-time.

As the second half got underway, Attard produced a brilliant break but a scoring pass was dropped. Kavallieri’s Doublesin left the field injured and Allegrucci switched to full-back, steadying the defence with accurate kicking.

Attard kicked the ball through and was clear to run but the wicked bounce of the ball completely tricked him.

Zerafa is gaining in confidence for Stompers and Kavallieri’s Cutajar had a storming match in tight and loose, although it was strange that he was not allowed to take the place kicks, which might have increased their point tally.

Stompers took the lead with a great Attard run which left the field for dead. However, he missed an easy conversion and that, actually, cost his team the match.

Stompers mistakenly tried to run the ball out of their own 22, the ball was scrambled into touch and the great Kavallieri spirit kicked in with a driving maul from the line-out and a score by Grech.

Stompers attacked yet again, but a poor pass by Attard ruined the move and Bradley earned himself a yellow card in frustration.

Two penalties gave Kavallieri territory and yet another trademark forceful maul for Borda to score and extend the lead. The Kavallieri youngsters were showing great character as they fitted perfectly into the side.

However, Stompers were not finished and a series of off-loaded support attacks ended with a well-timed passing move along the backline for Camilleri to score and Attard to convert, bringing his team to within one point.