As the two teams came out on to the pitch to a thunderous applause from the 600-strong crowd the atmosphere turned electric. After the national anthem was played the two teams prepared to do battle for the fifth time this season.
Having beaten the Kavallieri in three of the last four encounters Stompers were marked favourites. Kavallieri had something to prove in this encounter and soon showed that they had sharpened their skills for this clash. As play rocked back and forth both teams attacked and defended, matching each other blow for blow and showing why they are the top two sides on the island.
Then Kurt Psaila Montfort threw himself over the line to score Kavallieri’s first try. Kavallieri’s women’s team – who were watching from the stands – cheered enthusiastically. They won the female league this season and were keen to see their male counter-parts follow suit in winning the men’s cup.
Stompers seemed visibly shaken by Kavallieri’s try and were given no respite as they were assaulted from every side. Daniel Grima scored the next try for the Kavallieri and things began to look very grim for the Stompers.
Kavallieri maintained very sharp passing and excellent defensive tackling keeping Stompers frustrated at every turn. Then disaster struck as Kavallieri picked up two yellow cards: one for Anthony Grech Sant and one for Michael Bonavia.
Stompers did not let the advantage slip and American Noah Hardie scored their first try just before half time.
Stompers seemed to pull together at the start of the second half, making some excellent runs and coming very close to scoring. Discipline seemed to waver in the Kavallieri lines and it looked as if they might pick up another yellow card.
Then, with a quick counter-attack Kavallieri’s Sean Doublesin scored his team’s third try putting them in a strong position. Chris Vassallo kicked Kavallieri’s first conversion as their usual kicker – Roderick Attard – was unable to attend the match.
Getting the scent of victory, Kavallieri began to pile on the pressure and were rewarded when David Borg scored another try. Kavallieri then assured victory when Michael Bonavia scored an excellent try following a blocked kick, subsequently converted by Chris Vassallo.
As tempers flared Kavallieri lost Reuben Vella to a red card, whilst Stompers lost Noah Hardie for ten minutes after collecting a yellow card.
Stompers refused to accept defeat and Matthew Mirabelli grabbed a try to put a few extra points on his team’s scoreboard. Kavallieri refused to give ground as their Michael Bonavia responded with another try keeping them in a secure lead.
Not to be outdone Stompers John Attard scored his team’s third try in the closing moments of the second half, which was converted by Malcolm Attard.
Kavallieri have shown that they are a team that can learn from past mistakes, and in doing so snatched victory from under Stompers to claim this years MRFU Cup.
Stompers TGI Fridays RFC: L. Mifsud, M. Spiteri, D. Cerketa, D. Mascena, D. Gasan, C. Diamantino, J. Corntwaite, L. Wynne, M. Mirabelli, P. Satariano (Cpt), N. Hardie, C. Morton, M. Attard, J. Zammit, M. Fountain.
Substitutes – J. Tonna, N. West, J. Ellul, A. Bonello, M. Galea, J. Attard, A. Camilleri, K. Zammit, J. Relic.
Coach – Matthew Mirabelli.
Kavallieri Blue Label RFC: J. Pace, I. Borg, I. Borda, A. Grech Sant, J. Cutajar, D. Grima, P. Azzopardi, P. Mangion (Cpt), S. Doublesin, M. Bonavia, R. Bonavia, C. Vassallo, R. Vella, K. Psaila Montford, O. Caruana.
Substitutes – J. Gatt, N. Borg, B. Miller, D. Borg, A. Delia, E. Mangion, E. Cutajar, G. Attard, O. Scerri.
Coach – Pierre Azzopardi.
Referee: Mr. Steven Busuttil
Touch Judges: Mr. Don Hewer; Mr. Bryan Corlett