Overseas prevail in tight contest

Falcons girls live up to expectations in clash with Kavallieri

Overseas 31
Stompers 27

What a brilliant and exciting spectacle these two sides provided for the vociferous crowd present at the end-of-season Mediterranean Bank Cup final at Marsa, last weekend.

Despite winning the majority of the ball in the first half, Stompers never had their game going whereas Overseas played confidently, particularly when under pressure in the late stages of the contest.

Overseas’ quick-thinking and passing and support for offloads was excellent as they launched incisive attacks to notch up a 24-0 lead following two tries by Wright plus one each from Spagnol and veteran Van Reeven.

Finally, Attard hit back for Stompers with a fine interception to put in Bradley for a good try which Attard himself converted.

Cassar, of Overseas, was yellow-carded for a silly offence and team-mate Sammut left the field injured.

Suddenly, Overseas were at a big disadvantage. However, they still scored again after a break by Maestre before they were penalised for killing the ball, Attard converted for three more points for Stompers.

Then, after a hard, physical session, with two Overseas players lying injured, Camilleri scored for Stompers and Attard converted.

Satariano came on for Stompers and immediately the game changed as he slipped effortlessly into his old skilful patterns and understanding with Attard.

Stompers now looked as if they could win this one.

Galea added another try and Devaney, who had played an inspired game but was tiring fast, put Overseas under strain by in-curring a yellow card.

Satariano showed he had lost none of his touch and combined superbly with Attard to wriggle over.

However, Stompers then ran out of time as Overseas hung on to claim the first Mediterranean Bank Cup.

MIA ladies’ 10s

Falcons 24
Kavallieri 15

Falcons lived up to their billing as favourites to win this competition.

They started well with a period of constant pressure, launching fast attacks from a platform created by their strong forwards. Kavallieri were taking more time than expected to settle down.

Tries by Attard and Casha opened up a 12-point lead for Falcons.

However this inspired Kavallieri to come back with disciplined play and two tries by Bartolo and Cassar pulled back 10 points at half-time.

In the second half, Falcons produced a heavy forward pressure and Casha and Sultana added more tries with Casha converting one.

A superb try by Cassar was Kavallieri’s only reply. She des-troyed the Falcons defence single-handedly with a swerving change of pace.

However, Kavallieri lost pattern when again under pressure and indulged in several poor kicks.

All in all, this was a fine game to watch and showed how much women’s rugby is improving on our shores.