Malta started its adventure in the European Nations Cup Division 2 campaign with a defeat in Riga against Latvia.

Malta however were not outclassed by their opponents as they trailed 13-17 at half time.

Malta’s scores came from two penalties scored by Jamie Caruana and two tries by Lee Culnane and Oliver Sacco.

Malta will be in action again next Saturday at the Hibs Ground Corradino against Croatia.

In another match played yesterday from the same Malta group, Croatia lost at home in Makarska against Poland 11-12.

Poland lead Group 2B with maximum points having won their opening two matches.

Thanks to their win against the local boys, Croatia have three points from one match, followed by Andorra, Croatia and Malta with one point.

Apart from Malta’s match against Croatia, in the other match on Saturday, Andorra will face Latvia in La Vella.