Stompers beat Malta Origin

Sliema Stompers completed a clean sweep of the Maltese domestic competition with a 46-24 victory over Malta Origin at the Balzan Youths ground this week to clinch the 2012 MRL Dove Men+Care Champion-ship in their debut season.

Missing internationals Von Brockdorff, Willis and suspended top try scorer Camilleri, Stompers were tested until putting their opponents to sleep late in the second half with a flurry of tries on the back of seasoned performers Malcolm Attard, Dragan Cerketa, John Ellul and Max Galea.

Malta Origin rallied to recruit new faces in their squad after missing some of their own regular players but Cardiff-based Malta international Shaun Bartlett was limited to watching from the sidelines after receiving a head knock against Denmark last Saturday.

Malta Origin looked set to spring an upset going into the break 18-12 up after Sliema controlled each of their previous meetings this season.

However, the second half saw the favourites click into gear to grind out another win with a commanding display.

The ever-present Attard was again a rock in the Stompers team, collecting 22 points by way of two tries and seven conversions.

He was earlier named match day three Player of the Round.

Player-coach Attard paid tribute to his largely inexperienced team.

“This is a great feeling. We are extremely happy with what we have achieved in such a short span of time,” he said.

Malta national development manager Anthony Micallef also congratulated the winners.

“Credit goes to Sliema Stompers who have proven themselves as the strongest team this season,” Micallef said.

“This domestic championship saw the call-up of ten players to the national team, proving its importance on the grand scheme of Rugby League development in Malta.”