These two teams put on the finest rugby this season, a ding dong battle which swept from end to end with a fascinating display of skills and enthusiasm. First one had the advantage then the other, with the drama lasting right up to the final whistle.

Pundits had forecast an easy Kavallieri win with Stompers missing so many established stars, but the replacements rose to the occasion when right wing Luke Debattista made a powerful run and fly half Christopher Morten took the opportunity to score under the posts, converted by center Mario Fountain.

Kavallieri responded with their traditional line out pressures but Stompers defended well until loose head prop Ian Borda burst through from short range, converted by fly half Roderick Attard. Stompers hit back with a Jovan Reljic try after good timed passing gave him the space, but again Kavallieri Robert Bonavia and Pierre Mangion rolled back the pack and Pierre Micallef ran well from full back to score.

This inspired Kavallieri to really put on the pressure and after a long period of territorial advantage and well switched attacks Sean Doublesin went in with a big overlap, converted by Roderick Attard to give them a 19-12 lead at half time.

Stompers came out with great determination, attacking with gusto from side to side, until Mario Fountain scored wide. This was followed by Guilaume Boulais bursting well from full back to chip over Pierre Micallef and Matthew Mirabelli following up fast for the try to regain the lead.

Spirits up, they gained ground and good passing gave Andrew Camilleri the chance to weave through and stretch the lead. But Kavallieri never die easily and they had taken a lot of the energy out of Stompers so now they gained territory against a tiring side and Robert Bonavia scored a fine number 8 try off the back of a scrum.

Only five points in it and all to play for, Stompers attacked but Kavallieri won a vital ball and finely timed passing gave the elusive and speedy Andrea Camilleri a chance to run away to score under the posts, Roderick Attard converting for the winning lead. Stompers attacked, Kavallieri Ivo Agius was yellow carded, but Kavallieri desperate defence held out. In a game of heroes, number 8 John Tonna of Stompers was adjudged Man of the Match.

Stompers TGI Fridays RFC: A. Bonello, M. Spiteri, D. Cerketa, D. Mascena, K. Zammit, C. Zammit, M. Galea, J. Tonna, M. Mirabelli (c), C. Morten, J. Reljic, M. Fountain, A. Camilleri, L. Debattista, Guilaume Boulais

Substitutes – John Ellul, L. Mifsud, C. Diamantino, J. Corthwaite, M. Von Brockdorff

Coach – Mark Camilleri

Kavallieri York Cisk Excel RFC: I. Borda, I. Borg, N. Borg, J. Cutajar, P. Mangion, P. Azzopardi, D. Grima (c), R. Bonavia, S. Doublesin, R. Attard, E. Lautier, M. Bonavia, M. Hutchinson, A. Camilleri, P. Micallef

Substitutes – J. Pace, A. Bartolo, G. Attard, N. Grech, D. Schembri, I. Agius, A. Grech Sant

Coach – Richard Beerman

Referee: Mr. Bryan Corlett

Half Time: 12 - 19

Scorers: Tries – Morten x1; Reljic x1; Fountain x1; Mirabelli x1; Andrew Camilleri x1; Borda x1; Micallef x1; Doublesin x1; Grima x1; Andrea Camilleri x1; Conversion – Fountain x2; R. Attard x3

Yellow Cards: Agius

Man of the Match: John Tonna (Stompers)

Alligators Cisk Export 29

Budweiser Qormi S. 15

A good match between two improving sides was wrapped up in the first half by Alligators, despite full back Matthew Falzon opening the score with a try for Qormi Sharks after a Mark Bianchi mishandle. Mark Bianchi himself replied with a try, and Malcolm Sullivan scored a number 8 try from close range. The same player then scored his second after long territorial pressure against stalwart Qormi Sharks defence, followed by the ever dangerous center Jamie Acheson who also converted it, to gain a 22-5 lead. However Qormi Sharks began to overcome the early advantage grabbed by Alligators and by the end of the half were pressing strongly.

In the second half Qormi Sharks kept up their momentum and were the more impressive side, but they could not match the earlier superiority of Alligators. First center John Micallef Moreno scored a try for Qormi Sharks, captain Michael Farrugia answered with a try for Alligators, converted by Jamie Acheson, and both fly half Robin Parnis- England (Alligators) and number 8 Jeremy Dela (Qormi Sharks) were yellow carded as passions rose. Finally Matthew Falzon scored his second try for Qormi Sharks so they won the second half by a whisker.

Matthew Falzon, the Qormi Sharks full back was Man of the Match.

Alligators Cisk Export: D. Cutajar, T. Micallef, R. Sammut, M. Muscat, A. Cutajar, C. Bugeja, A. Hillman, M. Sullivan, B. Sammut, R. Parnis-England, M. Abdilla, M. Farrugia (c), J. Acheson, N. Zarb, M. Bianchi

Substitutes – A. Bezzina, G. Howe, A. Pace, S. DeMarco, G. Grixti

Coach – Barry Von Moll

Budweiser Qormi Sharks: J. Cassar, S. Jones, J. Bianco, M. Hughes, J. Borg, D. Azzopardi, N. Dela, J. Dela, C. Sammut, M. Seychell, D. Stafrace, S. Aquilina, J. Micallef Moreno (c), F. Barbara, M. Falzon

Substitutes - S. Ramage

Coach – Samuel Ramage

Referee: Mr. Donald Hewer

Half Time: 22 - 05

Scorers: Tries – Bianchi x2; Falzon x2; Sullivan x1; Acheson x1; Farrugia x1; Micallef Moreno x1; Conversions – Acheson x2

Yellow Cards: Bianco; Parnis-England; J. Dela

Man of the Match: Matthew Falzon (Qormi Sharks)

At present, Kavallieri lead the standings on 16 points. They are followed by Globalair and Stompers on 12 points each, Alligators have five points while Budweiser Qormi prop up the table with no points. All teams have played three matches with the exception of Budweiser who have played a match more.