Stompers 17
Overseas RUFC 17

Following their win over Kavallieri last week, Stompers were looking to put Overseas to the sword and take a commanding lead in the competition. But Overseas played to their potential to secure a draw even if they found a Stompers backline that always looked dangerous once they started moving the ball wide.

As often happens in the domestic league, one team tends to lose the game rather than the other playing to win it. This game was no exception. Stompers fluffed a couple of chances to beat Overseas either through lack of patience or indiscipline.

At one point in the game, Overseas were down to 13 men with two players in the sinbin for high tackles. Here, Stompers scored a good individual try by Chris Morton who powered his way through the Overseas' defence and straight to the try-line.

Later, when Stompers lost a man into the sinbin for throwing a punch, Overseas scored with a try thanks to Greg Van Reeven. Each time mistakes were committed, the opposition took advantage.

Stompers were without scrum-half Matthew Mirabelli and although Satariano filled in for him, his service was not as quick. As a consequence, the outside backs were not getting the normal space to work their moves.

John Tonna, Malcolm Attard and Morton scored for Stompers as Overseas scrum-half Vince Stivala weaved his way over for another try, with Clayton Cassar and Van Reeven, being the other scorers.

Cassar had a bulldozing run to the try-line, where three tacklers had to drag him down. Nonetheless, he managed to reach out and plant the ball over the line. Only one conversion from each team, took the final score to 17-all.

Overseas will be up against Kavallieri tomorrow and it should be a fine contest.

Other Pool A result: Kavallieri vs Alligators 46-6.

Pool B

Valletta Lions 26
Stompers B 0

Valletta Lions have recorded their first win of the season. The disciplined Citizens played with remarkable passion and desire, qualities which by now are synonymous with the team.

Paul Psaila, Terrance Psaila, Clifford Debattista and Joseph Azzopardi scored for Valletta and Neville Borg converted the last three tries.

Strong kickers Borg and Psaila had a commanding performance. Good, accurate kicking wins points, and poor, aimless kicking loses games. Each type of kick plays a distinct and important role for the team with possession. Valletta seem to be very aware of this.

Stompers B struggled at times with the basics but pulled through. They need to work harder for them to catch up with the rest of their competitors in the B-league.

Qormi Sharks 11
Kavallieri B 10

This was a very important win for Qormi Sharks who currently lead the Pool B standings.

The first half saw various attempts from Sharks to notch a try but to no avail due to repeated mistakes when in possession. Kavallieri B scored first with a non-converted try.

It was an extremely physical game, one which saw the comeback of Sharks captain Andrew Galea. The loose-head prop, recovering from a bout of flu, was not in top form to cope with the physical demands of the match. He walked off injured after 30 minutes.

Galea was substituted by Samuel Zammit. Early in the second half, the latter received a tap-and-go from a penalty, and burrowed over the line. With two penalty conversions by Saviour Aquilina, Sharks were leading 11-6.

With 15 minutes to go, Kavallieri B scored a try, but for some reason they were too slow in taking the conversion. The referee had no other option but to order a penalty for Kavallieri to practically forfeit the chance to win this match.

Trademark tackles from Matthew Spagnol, John M. Moreno and Ryan Spiteri proved to be a valid defence during the last few minutes of the match as Sharks went on to record a first win over Kavallieri B.