Malta Rugby - Stompers RFC go close but lose to Kavallieri

The rugby game last Saturday at Marsa sports ground was a real cracker. It was a great game to play in and from the general feedback also a great game to watch.

Our captain and usual number 10 is abroad so I have been filling in the position which I have found enjoyable.

Playing number 10 you are 100% involved in the game and have a big influence on how the team fairs on the day. You get you hands on the ball more times than any other player outside the fly half and also have a heavy work load in defence.

One funny side note is I think a team mate of mine submitted my name on the score sheet as "Christopher Morten" which is in-correct with "Morton" being my last name.

Morten is a very common or popular name in Nordic Europe so somehow my nationality is now Norwegian as it was printed in the local newspaper, "Christopher Morten the Norwegian fly-half". lol

Anyways here is the official game report as published by MaltaSport.com

Stompers TGI Fridays 29
Kavallieri York Cisk Excel 31
(Half-time: 12 – 19)

These two teams put on the finest rugby this season, a ding-dong battle which swept from end to end with a fascinating display of skills and enthusiasm. First one had the advantage then the other, with the drama lasting right up to the final whistle.

Pundits had forecast an easy Kavallieri win with Stompers missing so many established stars, but the replacements rose to the occasion when right wing Luke Debattista made a powerful run and fly half Christopher Morten took the opportunity to score under the posts, converted by center Mario Fountain.

Kavallieri responded with their traditional line out pressures but Stompers defended well until loose head prop Ian Borda burst through from short range, converted by fly half Roderick Attard.

Stompers hit back with a Jovan Reljic try after good timed passing gave him the space, but again Kavallieri Robert Bonavia and Pierre Mangion rolled back the pack and Pierre Micallef ran well from full back to score.

This inspired Kavallieri to really put on the pressure and after a long period of territorial advantage and well switched attacks Sean Doublesin went in with a big overlap, converted by Roderick Attard to give them a 19-12 lead at half time.

Stompers came out with great determination, attacking with gusto from side to side, until Mario Fountain scored wide.

This was followed by Guilaume Boulais bursting well from full back to chip over Pierre Micallef and Matthew Mirabelli following up fast for the try to regain the lead. Spirits up they gained ground and good passing gave Andrew Camilleri the chance to weave through and stretch the lead.

But Kavallieri never die easily and they had taken a lot of the energy out of Stompers so now they gained territory against a tiring side and Robert Bonavia scored a fine number 8 try off the back of a scrum.

Only five points in it and all to play for, Stompers attacked but Kavallieri won a vital ball and finely timed passing gave the elusive and speedy Andrea Camilleri a chance to run away to score under the posts, Roderick Attard converting for the winning lead.

Stompers attacked, Kavallieri Ivo Agius was yellow carded, but Kavallieri desperate defence held out. In a game of heroes, number 8 John Tonna of Stompers was adjudged Man of the Match.