An ultra-experimental Malta, with more young units in the water, registered their third win in a row, this time beating Italian Serie B side Livorno as easily as the 14-4 scoreline indicates.

At times, however, the locals lacked the sparkle and fluency so evident in their first two outings against Sette Scogli and Ireland.

In fact, there were some doubts whether Karl Izzo, without heavyweight Matthew Zammit, besides other established players, and with too many juniors in the fray, was making too much of a gamble.

However, the Maltese, once more led by Niki Lanzon and relying on thoroughbreds Clint Mercieca and Dino Zammit, rose to their responsibilities in the second and last session to pull away decisively against opponents who went for caution in their bid not to be caught on the counter.

Zammit led the array of nine scorers with three goals, followed by Lanzon, Andreas Galea and Kai Dowling with two each.

Mercieca, Alex Attard and Christian Cluett were also amongst the scorers, with newcomers Sean Xerri de Caro and Miguel Zammit adding to the list.

Malta 14
Livorno 4

(2-2, 5-1, 2-1, 5-0)

Malta: R. Sciortino, N. Lanzon 2, A. Galea 2, S. Xerri de Caro 1, K. Dowling 2, K. Galea, C. Cluett 1, Z. Mizzi, B. Plumpton, A. Attard 1, M. Grech, D. Zammit 3, C. Mercieca 1, M. Zammit 1, N. Grixti.

Livorno: C. Vio, L. Samminiatesi, L. Biasci, R. Carano, S. Maltinti 2, G. Ungarelli, D. Pizzo 1, S. Beucci, F. Fiaschi, F. Baggiani 1, N. Turrini, J. Toninelli, A. Stefani.

Refs: P. Balzan, U. Wengenroth.

Other result
Switzerland vs Sette Scogli - 7-13

Sessions: 1-3, 2-3, 0-3, 4-4.

Standings: Malta 9; Sette Scogli 6, Switzerland 3; Ireland, Livorno 0.