Stompers' superior fitness foils battling Alligators
Pool A
Stompers 27
Alligators 8
Stompers' superior fitness allowed them to increase the points difference in the closing minutes, going from 10-8 to 27-8.
Nonetheless, the improving Alligators made them work hard for this win. Their half-back pair, Sammut and Devaney, was extremely effective and the back line, led by Farrugia, is a solid unit. Full-back Leopold also had a good game with some penetrating runs.
Alligators, perhaps, lacked the extra speed to beat Stompers who had a bad handling day. Even Morton, the usually headstrong Aussie, was juggling very frequently as the Gators' tackling was exerting too much pressure on their opponents.
Despite the strong leadership of Stompers veteran Christoff Diamantino, the Alligators pack was disciplined and frustrated Stompers, to the extent that Spiteri earned himself a yellow card and the promising Percy Tonna went into emotional overdrive instead of diverting his adrenaline into trying harder.
Debattista, Morton, Attard, Fountain and M. Camilleri scored the Stompers' tries, with A. Camilleri converting once. Sammut scored a try for the Gators and Devaney kicked a penalty.
Pool B
Valletta Lions 3
Kavallieri 'B' 56
This match was dominated by the more skillful Kavallieri.
Centre Kurt Psaila did most of the damage by running through tackle after tackle as the inexperienced Lions had no idea how to stop him.
The Kavallieri pack, led by Cutajar and ably assisted by Grech, was compact.
Doublesin and Bonavia, both internationals, were constantly influential and Cutajar had a superb day as the Lions lost their defensive shape.
In attack, the Lions, this season making their debut in the MRFU league, are quickly learning the game... offloading and supporting.
Promising fly-half Borg is forging a good partnership with scrum-half Gingell and the front row, Debattista, Vella and Aquilina, are becoming solid operators.
For Kavallieri B, Dario Schembri continues to develop as scrum-half and an all-rounder in the team.