Malta’s National Rugby team returned to winning ways yesterday beating Andorra 31-24 at the Hibs Ground in Kordin.

This was a fundamental win for the team managed by Damian Neill, as it followed two defeats in the first matches of the 2B category of the European qualifiers.

Malta had previously lost againt Latvia and Croatia.

In front of a bumper and colourful crowd, Malta took an early lead on six minutes when Moneic St. John scored a try, and Ryan Borg scored the conversion to make it 7-0.

The same Ryan Borg scored a penalty kick minutes later to make it 10-0 for Malta.

Andorra hit back with an Albello try and conversion to make it 10-7, but a Jamie Caruana try, and Ryan Borg’s conversiona and penalty re-established Malta’s lead.

An Andorra try and conversion just before the break made it 20-14 for the locals at the interval.

In the second half Ryan Borg scored another penalty, but Leo Culname again replied for Andorra to make it 28-14.

Ryan Borg missed a conversion, but he made amends scoring an important penalty to make it 31-19.

Andorra’s late rally although productive, did not dent Malta’s first victory, with the final score 31-24 for the Maltese lads.

Next week Malta will face a difficult task away to Poland.