If ever Sharks were going to make an impact on Stompers this season, this was to be the day. The league champions fielded a weakened back line and a reconstituted scrum, and a half-time score of 5-5 was a fair reflection of the first forty minutes.

The lighter Sharks’ scrum heeled the ball cleanly (even when being pushed backwards) and fed the backs where Owen Caruana moved the ball well and the no.14, who scored both his team’s tries, ran with determination.

He also displayed a talented boot, both in finding touch and in the kick-and-chase.

The second half, however, saw Stompers take a stranglehold on the match and their constant pressure opened up ever larger cracks in the opposition’s defence.

Both Max Galea and Adrian Mangion ran in tries but the star of the afternoon was the indefatigable scrum-half, Matt Mirabelli, who demonstrated a multitude of rugby talents and finished the day with a personal score of five tries.

Overseas Hopleaf 24

Alligators Cisc Lager 20

In spite of starting the game with two men short and an early try by Overseas’ Greg van Reevan, Alligators’ scrum put in an aggressive first half under the leadership of hooker David Cutajar, and with flankers Tim Womack and Arnaud Fournier much in evidence.

Both new to Malta rugby, Fournier is an experienced player from France: Womack hales from the U.S. and it is difficult to believe that he has only played the game for a mere five months so impressive is his performance.

The Overseas’ scrum gave an excellent performance to start with, and slowly got better and better all afternoon.

Their jumping in the line-out was particularly successful in the latter part of the match, when time and again they would steal the opposition's throw-in.

There were two similar moments in the game which summed up the match. Alligators, only five metres from the goal-line, hammered away: set scrum, tap penalty, ruck and maul, the Overseas defence stood firm.

The same situation reversed in the second half: tap penalty to Overseas, a rush of forwards and they were over the goal-line in seconds.

Their backs displayed some good running, particularly Morgan Chetchti who always runs forward and looks dangerous with the ball.

Alligators’ captain, Robin Parnis-England, (who scored his team’s first try), and Fournier, (who went over the line twice in the second half), both put in some blinding tackles in defence, as well as working well together in attack.

But for all the team’s hard work, Overseas were not to be denied.

Ladies Rugby.

Sharks 22

Panthers 0

Panthers began the game well and managed to keep possession of the ball in the early stages, putting in some determined charges.

But Sharks have a solid defence and their backs have pace, and they were able to penetrate the opposition’s line.

Panthers showed great spirit and unflagging enthusiasm, but this is a new team, and in the end the Sharks’ experience in running and passing won the day.

Tries by Tessabelle Sultana, Analise Moran (erstwhile Panthers’ captain) and Claire Portelli.