No let-up from Kavallieri and Stompers

Kavallieri York Cisk Excel 30
Globalair Overseas 10

This was a game of two halves. The first saw Overseas build a deserved, but slender, 10-8 lead. That was followed by Kavallieri scoring 22 unopposed points after the break to finish worthy winners.

Kavallieri took an early lead with a Roderick Attard penalty followed by a fine run for a Sean Doublesin try. However, Overseas are a different side this year under Philip Felice's steady coaching and when he brought on substitute Clayton Cassar the game turned in their favour.

The backs drew closer to the line for right flanker Piers Allen to burrow in for a try.

Further attacks stretched the Kavallieri defence and from a well-taken line-out, the ball was pitched to Cassar who scored with an unstoppable burst.

In the second half, Overseas' lights went out, allowing Kavallieri to gain the psychological edge right from kick-off. Cassar had to leave the field with a shoulder injury and that really took the steam out of Overseas.

A penalty handed Kavallieri the lead. Wingers, Emanuel Lautier and Andre Camilleri then combined in a fine break, with captain Daniel Grima scoring from the ruck, Attard converted.

Overseas captain Daryl Psaila was yellow-carded. Fly-half Justin Barlogio kicked his drop-out straight at Kavallieri's Sean Doublesin, Joseph Cutajar scooped the deflection and sprinted to be stopped just short. However, the ball was won and spun to the ever supporting Grima to score his second try.

A brilliant near try by left flanker Andrew O'Reilly, for Overseas, was followed by a bustling run for a try by big substitute Jason Pace for Kavallieri.

Man of the match: Clayton Cassar (Overseas).

Referee: Steven Busuttil.

Budweiser Qormi Sharks 7
Stompers TGI Fridays 41

Despite the scoreline and the ever-present danger of the speedy Stompers backs, Qormi offered Stompers stiff competition.

Clearly, playing standards are evening out and many reckon Qormi only need to boost their strength-in-depth to really start competing as their defence and spirit are excellent.

Nevertheless, the quick-thinking Stompers backs always had an edge and left wing Jovan Relic opened the score with a fine run for a try converted by Nicholas Calleja.

Christopher Morten, the Norwegian fly-half, then made a fine individual break for the second try, converted again by Calleja.

Qormi pulled one back with hard running from their backs followed by a typical Andrew Galea maul over, converted by fly half Richard Newbould.

Then, Mario Fountain finished the half with a superb dummy to split the defence for a final try to give Stompers a 19-7 half-time lead.

The powerhouse Galea was off injured for Sharks and with a reduced team, it was inevitable that Stompers would score.

Even then, Qormi were holding their own and Stompers tries by Reljic, Morten, Luke Debattista and Guileme Boulais resulted from fast running from distance.

Man of the match: Luke Debattista (Stompers).

Referee: Bryan Corlett.

Standings: Overseas 14 points; Stompers, Kavallieri 10; Qormi Sharks, Alligators 0.