London’s Try Tag Rugby All-Stars successfully defended their crown last week when they claimed the Malta International Tag Rugby Festival with a 6-1 win over Birkirkara Falcons U-18 in the final at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Ħamrun.

A slight breeze eased the dry summer conditions for the 10 participating teams, including one from Gozo as the All-Stars won through undefeated for the second successive year at the Nordic Bar-sponsored event.

The final saw All-Stars tested early by the Falcons but regrouped in the second half after taking a 3-1 lead at the interval.

For All-Stars, Belinda Walmsley and Sarah O’Neill were close to best on field and Phill Browne was sharp, as the Pat Ginty-led team of English, Irish and Australians diverted all eyes to their pitch when putting in dominant displays in each of the 30-minute matches.

In finishing runners-up with a team made up of 16- to 18-year-olds, the Falcons also claimed the best domestic team award as Aaron Borg, Andrew Vella and Andre Galea led the way all day.

This year’s festival saw a clear growth in participation, three entries under the Birkirkara club alone, Gozo Rugby Club making a second successive appearance and, not to be outdone, Hilton Malta’s LivingWell Health Club entered a mixed team.

Sliema Stompers Ladies featured in their first competitive outing and recorded a victory against the Knights’ invitational entry as Kavallieri Youths and The Pit both scored a win and a loss.

Final standings
1. Try Tag Rugby All-Stars, 2. Birkirkara Falcons U-18, 3. Kavallieri Youths, 4. LivingWell, 5. Gozo RC, 6. The Pit, 7. The Knights, 8. Sliema Stompers Ladies, 9. Birkirkara RFC, 10. Birkirkara OLI.