Stompers 5
Kavallieri 15

Depleted by injuries, Stompers were unable to overcome the fit and relentless Kavallieri.

Regular scrum-half Matthew Mirabelli was sorely missed, especially when replacement Galea had to leave injured. Camilleri did his best after coming on as substitute but his positioning needs improving.

Kavallieri pressed hard from the start to camp close to the Stompers' line, which was finally cleared by good running by the fast backs and a long kick. The ball was fielded by Doublesin who had his kick charged down by Attard who then knocked on with the line wide open. Kavallieri celebrated the let-off by battering through with another attack to take the lead through an Azzopardi penalty.

Stompers gained ground from a kick. Attard combined with Fountain who flicked back inside for Attard to score under the posts. Unfortunately for Stompers, Morton missed the conversion.

Kavallieri hit back and piled the pressure on Stompers until D. Borg powered through several tackles to score. Azzopardi converted and Kavallieri had a 10-5 half-time lead.

Stompers began the second half well but Diacono sacrificed position by fielding a long kick. Although they gained enough ground to clear their lines, Stompers seemed unable to kick clear with any accuracy. Inevitably, prolonged Kavallieri pressure led to an excellent try by Kurt Psaila.

Stompers fought back but were just unable to break down the determined Kavallieri defence.

Birkirkara Alligators 55
Valletta Lions 0

Alligators quickly asserted their supremacy as they raced to a 24-point lead with tries by Sammut, Acheson, Devaney and Farrugia and two conversions by Devaney.

The game was played at a fast pace with both sides trying to open up but the difference was that Alligators had the experience.

Valletta put the 'Gators under relentless pressure, but missed opportunities by holding on before passing. The Lions seem to have developed the bad habit of running sideways before passing.

Sammut added two more tries, Acheson another and Devaney converted two, but the game was affected by having a new, inexperienced referee in charge. Several times, Alligators were not punished for high tackles. At least two of their tries resulted after infringements, some of which were yellow-card material.

The half-time score was 43-0.

The Lions' front row was good and solid, creating a stable platform for the team. Full-back Jones was injured, which removed a good attacking option.

Farrugia scored another try and Hillman finished off the match with a well-deserved try, converted by Devaney.

Ben Bennett Cup

Kavallieri really had to work hard to snatch a 15-12 win against the much-improved Sharks, reinforced by Tessabelle Sultana on leave from UK.

A perfect offload released Beverley Sultana on the burst to run 50 metres for the first try and Sharks to lead.

Claire Casha swerved through a Kavallieri tackle to cover another 50m run, and when she was caught just short of a try by Azzopardi, Sultana swept over for her second try, converted by Gauci for a half-time lead of 12-5.

Kavallieri responded with spirit but Sharks had more possession.

Cassar then began to lead the way for Kavallieri, scoring after being released with a wide passing movement.

Sharks' Casha was yellow-carded for another high tackle and Kavallieri were on top.

Cassar set up a try with another good run, passing inside to supporting Vassallo to score a try converted by Azzopardi.

Sharks hit back and only two tackles by Cassar and Azzopardi saved the day for Kavallieri.