Malta's national rugby team gave a spirited performance beating Latvia 16-13 this afternoon at the Hibs Ground.

The game  held under  thunderstorms, saw Malta reviving  its hopes of preserving its status in Division 2B after its team battled its way to a gutsy win in the European Nations Cup qualifier.

It was a lion-hearted perfrormance from the Maltese who fought off the physical challenge of the powerful Latvians and managed to hold on to their slim advantage despite having to play the last 10 minutes of the match with a player less after Mick McArdle was yellow-carded for rough play.

The success boosted Malta's hopes of retaining their place in the division as they remain in fourth place in the group with ten points, three ahead of Andorra who next week travel to Riga to play against Latvia La Vella.