Globalair Overseas 20
Kavallieri York Cisk 27
Despite enjoying a 15-5 lead at half-time, Overseas still lost this game mainly due to a sudden dip in concentration, and, of course, the renowned Kavallieri spirit again being a major factor behind their recovery.
A superb, defence-splitting chip by flyhalf Roderick Attard enabled Kavallieri's Ian Borda to open the scoring in the first minutes.
Overseas's response was immediate. Veteran Sean Duffy marshalled their attack and the pack took on Kavallieri spiritedly, exerting lasting territorial pressure until Duffy slid through an opening for supporting full-back Bryan Dalton who dived in for a try.
Overseas attacked from side to side until Piers Allen was in support to snatch up and score. Kavallieri would not lie down and battled back but Overseas held strong.
This was a period where both sides were prepared to run attacks, but the defences were too strong. The half ended when Overseas kicked deep and turned the tables on Kavallieri with a lineout drive from the hard-working David Goodwin who burrowed in for a try from short range. Overseas went in leading 15-5.
The second half started with Kavallieri immediately asserting a psychological edge on their opponents as they camped in the Overseas half and launched attack after attack against a side that was fast running out of confidence.
Attard finally chipped perfectly again into a hole for Pierre Azzopardi to score a try. Attard followed this with an elusive burst to score and convert for the lead.
Substitute Roland Stevenson was yellow-carded for Overseas and Attard stretched the lead with a penalty for offside as the Overseas defensive discipline wilted under the pressure.
Mark Hutchison added another try with a strong run through some hopeless tackling, also converted by Attard.
Just as they seemed to write themselves off, Overseas found a second wind and started to turn the game around. Kavallieri substitute Adrian Bartolo was yellow-carded and substitute Clayton Cassar scored a try after Overseas spun the ball out from a penalty.
In a dramatic finale, Kavallieri just held on to their lead despite Ian Borda being red-carded and captain Grima yellow-carded, with Roland Stevenson, of Overseas, also shown a red card after a second yellow.
Man of the match: Roderick Attard (Kavallieri).
Referee: Steven Busuttil.
Other result: Stompers vs Qormi Sharks 15-0.