Kavallieri-Stompers 28-17

A reinvigorated Kavallieri York Cisk Excel, with far more sophisticated and well rehearsed back moves really showed that they intend to compete for honours this season as they beat Stompers TGI Fridays 28-17 after winning the first half by a deserved 18 – 0.

New variations, angled bursts and fine timing, coupled with fast passing and good hands kept Stompers TGI Fridays on their back feet throughout the half. The variation gives them more opportunity to exploit their trademark forward drives because opponents cannot just defend against the monotonous forward grinding.

From kick off Kavallieri York Excel imposed territorial pressure, with the hard drives coupled with good passing and support running. A trademark forward drive, quick release to fly half Roderick Attard and he skipped into a huge gap to dummy and sidestep for the first try, which he converted.

Good Kavallieri York Cisk Excel marking kept the dangerous Stompers TGI Fridays backs at bay, and Roderick Attard had his best ever match, with good accurate strategic kicking and combing a new sidestep with elusive angled running.

He combined effectively with Michael Bonavia to release him with well rehearsed and timed flat out bursts, and the power of Christopher Vassallo made the Kavallieri York Cisk Excel centres most effective.

English left wing Mark Hutchenson looks as if his experience has added an extra facet to the Kavallieri York Cisk Excel play and with full back Pierre Micallef and right wing Emanuel Lautier it looks as if Kavallieri York Cisk Excel have at last found backs to complement their formidable forwards.

The well known Kavallieri York Cisk Excel rolling maul from a lineout saw captain and right flanker Daniel Grima score the next try, after which Roderick Attard added two penalties as Stompers TGI Fridays lost their discipline under pressure. The second was sheer irresponsibility by center Edward Willis who obstructed by pathetically grabbing Christopher Vassallo’s shorts.

Rampant Kavallieri York Cisk Excel began the second half with more territorial pressure as they stretched a gallant Stompers TGI Fridays defence from side to side. Stompers TGI Fridays center Malcolm Attard was superb in multi tackling defence. A long clearance into the Kavallieri York Cisk Excel half, scrambled untidily into touch and fast reaction by Malcolm Attard with a quick throw-in.

Suddenly Stompers TGI Fridays were showing their potential. Forward pressure, good passing and loop support by captain and fly half Patrick Satariano put the speedy right wing Luke Debattista over for the first Stompers TGI Fridays try. Kavallieri York Cisk Excel immediately responded with a good strategic kick and some elusive running by Roderick Attard and right lock David Borg barged in for a try.

Kavallieri York Cisk Excel started to throw the ball about and attacked yet again but grew careless and Malcolm Attard pounced on a loose ball and ran in an opportunist try from some 70 metres, converted by Patrick Satariano.

Kavallieri York Cisk Excel seemed to lose their concentration and let Stompers TGI Fridays hack the ball right to their line, because no-one would take the responsibility of killing it.

Stompers TGI Fridays won a good ball, Patrick Satariano made a half break and offloaded to Malcolm Attard to score another fine try. For a few minutes Stompers TGI Fridays sniffed a victory, but the experience of Kavallieri York Cisk Excel allowed them to close the game up to exert territorial and forward pressure which resulted in a final try by Malta international Jason Ramage.

Cisk Lager Man of the Match was Kavallieri York Cisk Excel fly half Roderick Attard.

An entertaining match to set up the Christmas season and promise a good competitive 2008.

Kavallieri York Cisk Excel: I. Borda, I. Borg, N. Borg, J. Cutajar, D. Borg, P. Mangion, D. Grima (c), R. Bonavia, S. Doublesin, R. Attard, M. Hutchenson, M. Bonavia, C. Vassallo, E. Lautier, P. Micallef.

Substitutes – G. Attard, R. Degiorgio, A. Grech Sant, J. Ramage, K. Psaila Montford, A. Camilleri, Johann Gatt.

Coach – Richard Beerman.

Stompers TGI Fridays RFC: L. Mifsud, A. Bonello, D. Cerketa, L. Wynne, K. Zammit, J. Tonna, Z. Demajo, M. Camilleri, M. Mirabelli, P. Satariano (c), N. Hardie, E. Willis, M. Attard, L. Debastista, G. Boulais.

Substitutes – M. Von Brockdorff, M. Spiteri, D. Mascena, J. Reljic, G. Brincat, A. Camilleri, M. Galea.

Coach – Leon Wynne.

Referee: Mr. Donald Hewer

Kavallieri York lead the standings on 14 points, followed by Blobalair Overseas and Stompers on 10, Alligators on five and Budweiser Qormi Sharks with no points.