Alligators pull off shock win over Kavallieri

Alligators 11
Kavallieri 5

Alligators caused a major upset by beating Kavallieri in the latest Barclays Cup encounter. Kavallieri were weakened by the absence of some key backs but the main cause of their defeat was their application of wrong tactics. For some reason, they played consistently to Alligators' strong but immobile pack who dealt with all their efforts.

The result might have been different had they made the heavier men run around the pitch. As it was, Alligators took good advantage of the strong wind in their favour, but only managed a Waterhouse penalty and a good try from the Frenchman, Montpelliard Bernot, to chalk up an 8-0 lead at half time.

At this point that lead looked slender and the pundits expected Kavallieri to swamp them with wind advantage. However, it just did not happen, and instead of using the wind and kicking astutely to the corner or swinging the ball wide to the wings, they insisted on trying to rush down the middle, where Alligators were waiting for them.

Alligators gained enough territory for two good penalty attempts, one successful, by Waterhouse, to extend their frail lead.

The supporters vainly awaited a strong reaction from Kavallieri who sent on the rested Bonavia and Attard in desperation, despite their nursing injuries. However, as the game wore on, they became more frustrated and less co-ordinated. Finally, the inevitable Daniel Grima barged his way over for a try, but it was too little, too late.

Alligators should be very pleased with this disciplined performance which has thrown the Barclays Cup competition wide open. As for Kavallieri, they should think hard as to why their tactics were so poor.

Newbould inspirational for Overseas

Overseas 54
Stompers B 10

The final scoreline may well reflect a comprehensive victory in Overseas' favour, but the truth of this game was that the more-experienced players had to fight all the way against a Stompers 15 whose self confidence and team spirit should certainly be boosted by this performance.

In fact, Stompers, despite starting with only 14 men, took the game to Overseas and even had the temerity to take the lead with only a few minutes on the clock. Captain Patrick Satariano made a telling break through the centre and unselfishly slipped a perfect pass to Miguel Cutajar to give him an easy score. Satariano missed with the conversion.

Overseas responded quickly with two tries, one on each wing. First, Morgan Chetcuti outpaced the Stompers defence down the left, to be followed within minutes by Jonathan Stone powering his way down the right. Richard Newbould converted the second of these to increase the score to 12-5 in Overseas' favour.

For a while it looked as if Stompers could bring themselves back into the game when they mounted a lengthy spell camped in Overseas' half during which their pack really dominated their more experienced opponents.

But they missed out on chances to score again, and when Overseas' powerful centre Greg van Reeven, somewhat against the run of play, scored a long range breakaway try, which Newbould duly converted, the writing was on the wall for Stompers.

Newbould himself then got in on the try-scoring act, with a very neat intercept, which he converted. Piers Allan added to the Overseas' try count just before half time, with Newbould again adding the extra points, 33-5 at the break.

The second half began with Overseas swarming the Stompers try line, but the younger side, despite being under severe pressure, countered with equally strong defence and some solid scrummaging.

It took a classic forward's try to break the deadlock... after a series of inconclusive rucks on the Stompers' try line, an Overseas arm reached out from the melee of bodies to force the ball down. Newbould converted.

Stompers kept up the afternoon's good work, with Chris Busuttil getting the biggest cheer of the day with a second try out on the left wing.

Newbould, however, was determined to have the last word which he did with some aplomb, scoring two tries himself in the last few minutes to claim his hat-trick.

With the way his game was going on the day, it was inevitable that he would convert both which he duly did to take the final score to 54-10.