Switzerland 14
Malta 29

Malta produced a superb second-half display yesterday to ease past Switzerland 29-14 in Winterthur and chalk up their fourth victory in Division 2A which extended the national team’s stay in the third tier of European Rugby Union for yet another season.

After the home upset to group winners The Netherlands (33-10) last weekend, Damien Neill’s team had to beat the Swiss to avoid a relegation scrap at the end of the qualifying campaign.

Croatia or Lithuania, the two teams behind Malta in the standings, will meet the runners-up of Division 2B (probably Latvia) with the winners playing in Division 2A next season.

Yesterday, Neill handed a start to Harry Collins as hooker while Jack Basher made his first start at the expense of Daniel Holliday.

Nothing satisfied the home side except victory in a last-ditch attempt to topple The Netherlands from their perch.

The Swiss, who beat Malta 19-10 in Corradino last year, held their own for most of the opening half.

For the Maltese team, James O’Brien redeemed himself for a low-key performance against the Dutch with three successful penalties.

At half-time, the score was even at nine-all.

As the second half got underway, Neill’s men stepped up their game and scored three tries without reply through Toby Quarendon, Dan Apsee and James Morris. O’Brien added a conversion and another penalty as Malta sealed a fine victory.

Malta formation
K. Mason, H. Collins, R. Apsee, D. Deguara, C. Schranz, J. Basher, D. Apsee 5, M. Davey, V. Stivala, J. Morris 5, J. O’Brien 14, D. Busuttil, T. Quarendon 5, J. Kirk, R. Holloway.