Stompers make up for league upset

Stompers 31
Overseas 17

Stompers made up for the league upset to Overseas the previous week with a polished display in the Med. Bank Cup.

They looked focused from the word go and the team’s deter-mined play was well illustrated by the fine showing of returning lock John Ellul.

Stompers deserved this victory and no-one played better for them than Max Galea. He had an excellent scrum-half display and was a constant hub in the centre of all his team’s efforts.

Stompers burst into Overseas territory right from the kick-off and nearly scored after a sweet grubber from Camilleri.

However, a huge drop-out by Du Toit, aided by the strong wind, took Overseas deep into Stom-pers’ territory. Rulli nearly broke through for a try but dropped the ball.

A penalty was awarded but Overseas opted for a scrum.

The ball was sent along the line to Du Toit who powered in for a try, which he also converted.

Camilleri made a half-break but completely missed his pass to waste a promising move for Stompers who were having the better of most line-outs, which makes a big difference in quality of possession.

Stompers, however, were also leaking penalties and yet another gave Du Toit the chance to score from a quick tap... despite having his shorts pulled down!

Just as it looked as if Stompers’ energy was being sapped, they conjured a fine try for a timely morale booster.

Ellul and Alvarez combined off the back of the line-out, Debat-tista carried on and released Camilleri who was too powerful for full-back Boland.

Malcolm Attard converted with a superb kick.

Overseas’ concentration was lacking and many times their passing was sloppy flat-footed but at half-time they still led 12-7.

Stompers, however, had been playing against a strong wind until that point.

Overseas began the second half with a sustained attack but failed to score and then a huge defending kick by Attard took Stompers 70 metres upfield.

From the line-out they drove near the line, Attard burst forward, fed back and Camillieri broke through to score. Attard converted for Stompers to take the lead.

Stompers’ tails were really up now and from another scrum they sent the ball along the line to Pavanello.

He showed class and speed, swerving past two defenders for another try... again Attard converted.

West was yellow-carded but as happened the week before, Over-seas raised their game when a man down and some neat passing put Mifsud Bonnici in for a try.

But their hopes were dashed when Attard was successful from a penalty.

Late on, Stompers also added a rather fortuitous try by Boulais who profited from a dropped ball.

Attard converted the try.