Kavallieri do the treble

In sweltering, energy-sapping heat at Marsa Sports Ground, Kavallieri Blue Label pulled off a dramatic win against Stompers TGI in the closing minutes of a thrilling match, watched by some 200 spectators.

This was always going to be a close match because both talented teams were so eager to win.

Kavallieri started off with their characteristic forward driving into the opponents half. But after a few minutes, Stompers' Satariano broke out from within his own 22-metre line to weave, jink and sprint a full 80 metres to score one of the best individual tries of the season, converted by Calleja.

This encouraged Stompers to take the game to Kavallieri, keeping them on the back foot for most of the half. Nevertheless Kavallieri are a good side and they should have scored a try after good rucking, releasing and passing gave an overlap but the scoring pass was dropped.

To add insult to injury, Stompers then actually drove through the Kavallieri pack for Mifsud to score a fine forward try, and when Kavallieri drove at their line, Stompers actually pushed them back.

After a strong team talk at half-time Kavallieri showed their renowned team spirit and determination, roaring back into the game intent on overcoming the 12-point deficit.

Stompers wilted a little in the heat and the physical strength of Kavallieri began to impose itself. They won much more good ball and began to vary their attacks, keeping Stompers on the defensive.

Stompers' talented backs, especially Fountain, Satariano and Malcolm Attard, made several fine runs but were unable to pierce the Kavallieri tackling.

On the other hand, Kavallieri combined well and continued to stretch Stompers from side to side with some good hard runs. Rod Attard and Vella were always dangerous.

Finally, after excellent rucking to win the ball, it went out to Attard and he scored with a determined run and then converted. Shortly after, Borda battled over from another maul and again Attard converted to put Kavallieri in the lead. Doublesin was the next try scorer but Attard failed to convert.

Stompers would not give up even though they looked the more tired team and after a confusion in front of Kavallieri posts, Mirabelli dived over for Calleja to convert and even the score at 19-all.

Stompers' backs still looked dangerous and could have won the match, but they just could not get past the final Kavallieri tackles.

So in the last three minutes Daniel Grima scored his almost inevitable tries, both similar, by charging over from tapped penalties some 20 metres out, and sealed Kavallieri's win.

Probably a vital element for Kavallieri was the standing of their substitutes. They were able to bring on seasoned players like Bonavia and Mangion while Stompers lost Mirabelli towards the end just when they needed him most.

A good game and a season which saw much improvement in the standard of rugby played in Malta.

Homegrown referee Steve Busuttil officiated well in his first major match and afterwards both teams enjoyed the traditional hospitality, fun and games at Zmerc Pub in Balzan.