Barclays Cup
Kavallieri Blue Label 43
Overseas Hopleaf 19
April Fools day saw the last of this year’s team matches played on a hard pitch now showing its age and with a gentle breeze blowing from one side to the other.
Kavallieri marched on in their usual style. Rugby is nothing if it is not about team work and they are a very good team. The forwards were on great form.
From beginning to end they were picking up the ball in the loose and relentlessly seeking to drive it up field.
So impressive in the lineout – drive – maul and then they would let loose their back line.
Overseas countered this with stout defence work which became all the more determined when they were forced upon the back foot.
In attack they decided to play the kicking game, which on balance suits the team at present and probably paid off. Piers Allan (one of the try scorers) was certainly quick off the mark and always on hand to take advantage of any mistakes by the Kavallieri backs.
Some notable performances must be mentioned: Roderick Attard’s kicking, Pier Mangion’s tireless jumping in the lineouts, Jason Pace (at No.3 for his third try this season and Pier Azzopardi who was so aggressive around the scrum and running with the backs.
Ladies Rugby
Kavallieri 0
Sharks 12
Kavallieri took advantage of their large membership to field a team largely made up of debutantes - it builds team spirit and gives even the most experienced of players a chance to shine.
They gave a good exhibition of running and tackling – Sara Vella, so hard working. Sharks, however, won the day. They started the match tentatively, as teams do when coming up against champions.
As the game progressed, however, they slowly but surely came into their own. They started very strongly at the opening of the second half which was rewarded by a try by Tessabelle Sultana. This really gave them a sense of purpose and led by Charmaine Gauci, their captain, their game became fiercer and fiercer.
Even when Kavallieri brought on their first choice, Sharks would not give in and they showed that they have finally learned tactical and positional formations
One has to wonder if they would not have won anyway against the Kavallieri's first team.
Malta Under 14
Malta U/14 7
Sawyers Hall 62
Malta Under 14s were given a chance to build their experience when a visiting side from England played them at the Marsa last Saturday. Sawyers Hall is a large mixed comprehensive school from Brentwood in Essex, U.K. They obviously had a very experienced and skillful team and the outcome was never in doubt but the home side played with great enthusiasm and determination.
At this level it is not so much the winning that counts as the developing of skills and enthusiasm for this wonderful game of ours.
As the score line indicates, the visitors had most of the control of the match but we must not overlook some long periods of excellent running and passing by the Malta team which may not have put points on the board but certainly showed us that there is talent there. Malta’s only try was by Mathew Naudi but notably around the field in the forwards was John Grech while Tom Vernon had a good captain’s game.
Preparations are now well under way for the vital home International against Croatia, which will be played at HIBS GROUND, Kordina, on Easter Saturday, 15th April.
The event will start at 12.30, with mini rugby, ladies rugby, and DJ’s making the usual brilliant atmosphere. Kick off is at 2.00pm.