Toby Quarendon pulled down by the Croatia backline. Photos: Chris Sant Fournier

Malta 31
Croatia 26

Malta kicked off their FIRA-AER Division 2A group on the right footing after overcoming a stubborn Croatia 31-26 at Corradino, yesterday.

This was a committed display from the Maltese national team as James O’Brien and Vince Stivala once again led the charge, supported by their team-mates.

O’Brien, in particular, proved to be our main source of inspiration with 16 points as Stivala’s clever running down the wings punctured Croatia’s defence for two vital tries that put the team on its way to victory.

These are still early days in the qualifying campaign and some of the mistakes committed by the Maltese team could have easily been avoided as Croatia, strengthened by the addition of South Africa and New Zealand-based players, mounted a fightback that proved just short.

Malta coach Damian Neill will now assess his players’ fitness before selecting his squad for the trip to Prague and a tough test against the Czech Republic next weekend.

O’Brien converted an early penalty but Croatia could have drawn level only for Jay Ayoub to blast his shot wide from 15m out.

Croatia were clearly not comfortable in scrums and conceded two consecutive penalties in the space of two minutes. O’Brien was on the spot on both occasions to put Malta 9-0 ahead.

Croatia started to get more into the picture and on 21 minutes they scored the first try of the match when Ayoub raced underneath the posts after a well-worked move.

The Croatia no.10 was successful from the conversion to reduce Malta’s lead to 9-7.

Malta suffered a blow on 25 minutes when James Morris was yellow-carded and Croatia soon made their numerical advantage count as Luka Perlain powered his way through for a second try to the visitors. Ayoub missed the conversion but Croatia now led 12-9.

Clayton Cassar defending possession for Malta, yesterday.

Malta regrouped and on 35 minutes they were awarded another penalty for O’Brien to even the scores.

Malta were now moving the ball better and two minutes from the interval Morris released Stivala who touched home for the home side’s first try. O’Brien curled his shot on target and at the break Neill’s men led 19-12.

O’Brien’s dash at the start of the second half set up the team’s second try which was concluded by Toby Quarendon. O’Brien converted – 26-12 for Malta.

But Croatia stepped up their game and right on the hour Nik Jurisic broke through for a try with Ayoub scoring the conversion to bridge the gap to 26-19.

Malta looked stunned but Stivala produced a timely response with a run down the wing for his second try of the match. O’Brien missed the conversion – 31-19.

Croatia battled back and Tonci Buzov wriggled his way through for a try with Ayoub successful from the conversion.

The visitors were only five points behind now. However, there was little time left for them to save the match as Malta held tight to preserve their lead and even the head-to-head record with the Croats at five wins each.

Malta
K. Mason, D. Holliday, R. Apsee, C. Cassar, C. Schranz, D. Deguara, D. Apsee, L. Watts, T. Holloway, J. Morris, V. Stivala 10, D. Busuttil, D. Quarendon 5, J. Kirk, J. O’Brien 16.

Subs used: D. Cerketa, J. Cutajar.

Croatia
I. Miljak, D. Brecic, L. Perlain 5, D. Jurcevic, D. Rowe, T. Grle, M. Ozich, T. Buzov 5, J. Newton, J. Ayoub 11, I. Suta, N. Jurisic 5, L. Lerotic, M. Grcic, D. Hakaraia.

Subs used: K. Coric.

Referee: T. Trainina (France).

Other result
Switzerland vs Czech Rep - 14-27.