[attach id=237254 size="medium"]Action from the Stompers-Kavallieri match at Marsa.[/attach]

Sliema Stompers 25
Kavallieri 0

This match went a long way towards deciding the outcome of the Cisk League for this season.

Leaders Stompers started with a bang from kick-off and, despite being against the wind, spent a long period in their opponents’ half.

However, the Stompers backs found the wind ruining their handling. So they were not running with their characteristic smoothness.

Kavallieri soon realised that it was easy to gain ground by kicking with the wind into Stompers’ territory. However, they could not raise any sophisticated running to score.

Stompers came out on the back of a clearing penalty and finally launched one of their more sophisticated backline moves for Fountain to score in the corner.

Kavallieri were stung into response and their defensive line was up hard to stifle any further Stompers threats, but Bonavia got himself yellow carded.

Kavallieri still upped the pace to hold their line. A brilliant, long kick by Cutajar into the corner put Kavallieri back on the attack, and he nearly scored off the line-out.

Stompers were trying to run the ball out and Kavallieri looked desperate to score but just could not gel as a team. Towards the end of the half, Edmunds was also yellow-carded and that cost Kavallieri a great deal in strength and stamina.

At half-time Stompers led 5-0.

Kavallieri burst into action with a 35-metre trademark lineout driven and then a second of 15 metres. However, again they could not quite cross the line for a score.

At the other end, Camilleri put a low grubber kick which the wind carried over the try line, Kawara had it covered until a wicked bounce made him miss the touch down, so Camilleri scored a try.

Cruel luck for Kavallieri, but tactical wisdom from Camilleri.

Young Martin had by now exerted a definite superiority in the front row as the game loosened up but still the only side which looked like scoring was Stompers.

Attard, Camilleri and Battista were constantly sniping away but good chances were lost by selfishly failing to pass to supporters.

Attard added a penalty for Stompers who also scored another try from a forward drive.

The final try, scored by Mirabelli, was the result of a bad clearance by Kavallieri after Bonavia earned himself a second yellow to make up a red card and suspension.

Standings: Stompers (5-0-0) 20; Kavallieri (4-0-2) 16; Overseas (2-0-3) 8; Birkirkara (1-0-3) 4; Valletta (0-0-4) 0.

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