Malta A continued their winning ways at Marsa when they took on North Bristol from the UK, however, they were given a tough test by the youthful English side. The Bristol half backs were very effective players, and fly half Smith and full back Phillips showed excellent sidesteps, which, when properly executed are extremely effective.
Furthermore, Malta were unable to exert their usual superiority in the line outs, and the well drilled and heavy Bristol pack probably had a slight advantage here during the whole game.
Malta started with the strong wind at their backs, but surprisingly failed to take advantage by strategic kicking, and it was Bristol who opened the scoring after a long kick had given them territorial advantage. Dyl, the scrumhalf dived over after a well disciplined maul from the lineout had stretched the Malta defence.
Bristol continued to play “English style” relying on their strong forwards, but the Malta backs looked sharp whenever they received good ball.
Soon Malta took the ball close to the Bristol try line and after a lovely driving maul from the lineout, Mifsud scored to equalize.
This inspired the Malta boys to move up a gear and after some beautifully timed passing and offloads from the tackle, Mirabelli scored wide. Chas then converted with a superb kick from the corner. Malta backs were now seeing plenty of ball and stretching Bristol from side to side. Inevitably, the ball went along the line to Vella who ran powerfully until stopped by a brilliant tackle from the fullback. As he went down he offloaded to Chas who ran in for the try, which he also converted.
The Bristol side showed good spirit and pressed deep into Malta territory to lay siege to the line. They won good ball from a ruck and spun wide against a stretched Malta defence, and number 8 Collins put in another sidestep which completely wrong footed the whole defence to trot over untouched and make it 19-10 at half time.
During the second half the Malta side really turned on the skills, with all the backs and back row combining in a series of spectacular and beautiful rugby moves with switches, scissors, offloads and intelligent weaving running and spacing. Lock Cutajar deserves a mention for several great running catches of high kicks and intelligent offloads.
The first try came when Axisa made a strong run and offloaded to Allen, converted by Chas. Vella scored the next after another breathtaking series, and finally the inevitable Grima made a decisive break and offloaded again to Allen at his side when stopped by the fullback, Chas converted.
A fine game of rugby, played with good spirit and skill, and the Malta A boys showed a tremendous team spirit and teamwork which reflects well on their coaches.
Their next outing will be at Marsa against Amsterdam AC from Holland on 8th April.
French rugby great in Malta
Monsieur Pierre Villepreux, one of France’s all time great rugby players is visiting the Malta Rugby Football Union to assess their Development progress. Villepreux was capped many times for France at fullback, and was always described in the press as an “elegant” player, because he was one of the rare men who was never off balance, and had an eye for the counter attack which launched many a spectacular multi-passing French try.
Youth rugby fest
Early April is going to see a super display of Youth Rugby at Marsa, when no fewer than 5 British Clubs will be visiting Malta to play against Malta Youths.
2nd April Malta U16 vs Guildsborough kick off 3pm; 3rd April Malta U16 vs Sawyers Hall 5pm; 4th April Malta U16 vs Guildsborough 5pm; 4th April Malta U16 vs Sawyers Hall 6pm; 7th April Malta U18 vs Bromley 3.30pm; 8th April Malta U16 vs Oadby Wyggeston 1pm; 9th April Malta U16 vs London Welsh and Oadby tri tournament kick off 1pm; 10th April Malta U18 vs Bromley kick off 3.30pm; 11th April Malta U16 vs London Welsh 4pm; 12th April Malta U18 vs Bromley 6pm
These matches will be a big learning session for the Malta Boys, many of whom have never played a competitive 15 a side match . They will need as much support as possible, and if the play as well as the U17 side played a few weeks ago they will learn and succeed. We wish them well.