MALTA 41
BOSNIA 7
The Malta rugby national team secured its second straight victory in the Conference 1 South campaign after their 41-7 win victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina at the Hibs Stadium, on Saturday.
After last weekend’s 21-14 against Israel, in Netanya, the Maltese came into this home tie in high spirits. Not only there was victory at stake, but also a three-year unbeaten record in this competition.
Malta drew blood after seven minutes when James Kirk chalked up the first points for Malta with a penalty kick to make the score 3-0.
Bosnia were trying to stage a reaction in order to keep out the Maltese forwards and they managed to do so for the next 10 minutes, before Malta registered its first try of the encounter.
The hosts capitalised on a driving maul as it enabled Richard Gum to receive the ball out wide on the left flank and dart over the line.
Kirk failed to extend the lead after missing the conversion.
However, Malta still found a way to make their pressure count with a second try, this time from Mark Davey.
On 24 minutes, Rhodri Apsee exposed Bosnia’s gaps to notch the ball towards Davey with the latter completing the try.
This time, Kirk managed did not miss the conversion as Malta headed to the dressing rooms with a comfortable 15-0 lead.
Malta opened the second half brightly with their third try of the game with Luke Watts who powered through the strong Bosnia players and put his nations 20 points ahead, as Kirk failed the conversion.
Bosnia got on board through a try from Mirsad Fetic after a lengthy driving maul which forced the Maltese to concede points to their opponents. From the resultant conversion, Mahir Bisic reduced the score to 20-7.
Malta’s reply came swiftly after as Thomas Holloway powered through after a good choral move with Kirk completing formalities to make the score 27-7.
Kirk wrapped up a formidable display for himself with a try and conversion to make the score 34-7. Malta’s no.15 received the ball in the third quarter of the field and sprinted past two Bosnia markers to cross over the line.
In the closing stages of the game, substitute Andre Galea chalked up a try to his name with Kirk converting the conversion as Malta added four points plus a bonus point for scoring four tries.