Malta 17
New Zealand 9

(4-3, 4-1, 8-1, 1-4)

Malta forward Matthew Zammit scored six goals as the national team’s quest at the 2014 Commonwealth Championships started on a sound footing in Aberdeen, yesterday, with a 17-9 victory over New Zealand.

The New Zealanders were only in the match for the opening session, which Malta won by the odd goal in seven.

However, after that Karl Izzo’s men applied an extra gear and before the fourth session got underway victory was practically sealed as the Maltese hit 12 goals and conceded only two in the middle quarters.

Malta may have lifted their foot off the pedal in the last session but in the end New Zealand only succeeded in making the score look more respectable.

The seven-team round robin tournament continues today with Malta playing home team Scotland this evening.

In other matches yesterday, England beat South Africa 14-10 and Scotland beat Wales 20-11.

Malta’s scorers: Matthew Zammit 6; Jordan Camilleri 3; Niki Lanzon 3; Michele Stellini 2; Mark Meli 2; Gerome Gabarretta 1.

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