Depleted Stompers go down fighting

Stompers TGI Fridays 29
Kavallieri York Cisk Excel 31

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 team had the advantage, then, the other with drama lasting right up to the final whistle.

With Stompers missing so many established stars, pundits had forecast an easy Kavallieri win. However, the Stompers' replacements rose to the occasion and sounded their intention right from the start when right-wing Luke Debattista made a powerful run and Christopher Morten took the opportunity to score under the posts. Try converted by Mario Fountain.

Kavallieri hit back with their traditional line-out pressures. Stompers defended well but only until Ian Borda burst through from short range. Borda's try was converted by Roderick Attard.

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

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

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

That try was followed by Guilaume Boulais bursting through from full-back to chip over Pierre Micallef. Matthew Mirabelli followed up fast for the try and Stompers to regain the lead.

Spirits up, Stompers gained ground, giving Andrew Camilleri the chance to weave through and stretch his team's lead.

But Kavallieri had taken a lot of energy out of Stompers and they soon regained the upperhand against a tiring side. Bonavia scored a fine try off the back of a scrum to put his team back in the reckoning.

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

Kavallieri had Ivo Agius yellow carded but their solid defence held out for a hard-earned win.

Man of the match: John Tonna (Stompers).

Referee: Bryan Corlett.

Alligators Cisk Export 29
Budweiser Qormi Sharks 15

This was a good match between two improving sides that saw Alligators playing a blinder in the first half despite full-back Matthew Falzon opening the score with a try for Qormi Sharks.

Mark Bianchi replied with a try and Malcolm Sullivan scored another one for Alligators from close range.

Sullivan then hit his second after long territorial pressure followed by the one of inspirational centre Jamie Acheson who also converted it. Alligators led 22-5 at that point.

However, Qormi showed signs of a revival and by the end of the half they were pressing strongly. They kept up the momentum after the break and were the more impressive side but could not match the earlier superiority of Alligators.

John Micallef Moreno scored a try for Qormi but captain Michael Farrugia answered back for Alligators. His try was converted by Acheson.

Robin Parnis England (Alligators) and Jeremy Dela (Qormi) were yellow carded as passions rose before Falzon scored his second try for Qormi who had lifted their game by a few notches in the second half.

Man of the match: Matthew Falzon (Qormi Sharks).

Referee: Donald Hewer.

Standings

MRFU Cup - Kavallieri 16 (3-3); Overseas 12 (3-2); Stompers 12 (3-2); Alligators 5 (3-1); Qormi 0 (4-0).

Women's Sevens - Sharks Saddles 56 (14-12); Kavallieri 46 (14-9); Panthers Huggins 0 (14-0).