Netherlands 48
Malta 10

The Netherlands stormed to the top of Division 2A after cruising past Malta in a European qualifier in Amsterdam yesterday.

It was a commanding performance from the Dutch who produced a master-class, scoring no fewer than six tries to leapfrog Switzerland at the summit of the group standings.

Malta produced a stirring fight but it was still not enough to match the strength of their opponents.

The Dutch made the most of the strong wind behind their backs in the opening half and were off to a flying start, converting two successive penalties for a 6-0 lead.

Clayton Cassar was yellow-carded, leaving Malta with a player less for the next ten minutes and the Dutch profited to score two tries, both converted, for a commanding 20-0 lead at the interval.

Early in the second half, James O’Brien missed a penalty but scored from another only for the Netherlands to regain the initiative soon after.

Following a scrum five metres outside the Malta line, skipper Dominic Busuttil got sin binned and the home team notched their third try of the match, also converted, to go 27-3 ahead.

The Maltese kept pushing forward but their forward charge was intercepted and the Dutch scored two tries in quick succession for a 41-3 lead.

Malta ventured forward and their efforts were finally rewarded with a Toby Quarendon try that was converted by O’Brien.

But it was the home side who had the last say to score another try, which they converted again, to wrap up a convincing 48-10 victory.

Netherlands: A. Jokers, C. Buburuzan, H. Langelaan, A. Kuipers, J. Ketelings, T. Altink, V. Grimbergen, C. Elisara, R. Van Balkom, S. Carroll, N. Verhoeven, R. Van den Brock, V. Booiman, S. Visser, B. Viguurs.

Malta: D. Holliday, A. Kennedy, A. Livesey, C. Cassar, D. Deguara, L. Watts, S. Borg, D. Apsee, T. Holloway, R. Holloway, V. Stivala, D. Busuttil, T. Quarendon, M. Camilleri, J. O’Brien.

Referee: M. Jarowicz (Poland).