Kavallieri Y Cisk Excel 44

Stompers TGI Fridays 10

NICK GATT

Magnificent 15-man rugby swept Kavallieri back to dominance as they over ran a Stompers side who were missing some key players. Although some of the younger Stompers are showing great promise they were no match for this seasoned Kavallieri team, so well coached by Richard Beerman.

From the start the lineouts were Kavallieri’s and this possession was a key element. Pierre Mangion scored a fine try in the opening minutes and the die was cast by the excellent teamwork which gave him the opening.

Stompers then gave away a penalty under pressure and Roderick Attard added three points.

Kavallieri continued to dazzle with a movement which covered the pitch from side to side and the ball passing from offload after offload until Robert Bonavia burst through a dizzied defence to score.

Further territorial pressure resulted in Robert Bonavia’s second burrowing try from a ruck, Christopher Vassallo converted. Stompers backs momentarily escaped the close, hard tackling marking but a fine move was stopped dead by a crushing Pierre Micallef tackle.

The Kavallieri backs, Christopher Vassallo, captain Daniel Grima, Kurt Psaila Montford Psaila and Pierre Micallef were all running powerfully and combining well, and Christopher Vassallo powered through for a try after a cunning Daniel Grima chip. He converted and Kavallieri were 27-0 ahead at half time.

Although Stompers renewed with some spirit, Christopher Vassallo regained the initiative with another strong run from defence to set up yet another attacking platform, from which Kavallieri fired attacks like a malevolent battle machine, although some scores were missed through selfishness.

Finally Mark Hutchison was set free for another try out wide. John Attard came on for Stompers at centre and immediately upgraded the Stompers game and the ever dangerous Luke Debattista scored a well worked try.

The superlative Kavallieri pack, especially Adrian Bartolo, Joseph Cutajar, and David Borg, quickly restored territorial advantage, from which Sean Doublesin snapped a quick penalty to zip in for a lovely solo try, converted by Christopher Vassallo.

Pierre Mangion continued the Kavallieri lineout domination and a trademark driving maul led to Ishmael Borg marking a fine forward try. Kavallieri’s David Borg was yellow carded in the final second of the match.

Referee Steven Busuttil had an excellent match as he warms up for his forthcoming international debut, but unfortunately Stompers’ Dragan Cerketa had to be red carded for abuse, as he cracked under the pressure.

Kavallieri relaxed a little and brought on their reserves to enjoy the moment, and Luke Debattista salvaged a little Stompers pride by scoring the final try.

Kavallieri York Cisk Excel RFC: I. Borda, I. Borg, A. Bartolo, J. Cutajar, D. Borg, P. Mangion, P. Azzopardi, R. Bonavia, S. Doublesin, R. Attard, K. Psaila Montford, M. Bonavia, D. Grima (c), M. Hutchinson, P. Micallef

Substitutes – Brian Miller, J. Pace, N. Borg, J. Zahra, G. Attard, N. Grech, D. Schembri, E. Lautier, C. Vassallo, A. Camilleri, I. Agius, Brenton Miller

Coach – Richard Beerman

Stompers TGI Fridays RFC: L. Mifsud, Z. Demajo, D. Cerketa, J. Ellul, K. Zammit, D. Mascena, J. Tonna, J. Cornthwaite, M. Mirabelli, P. Satariano (c), J. Reljic, M. Fountain, A. Camilleri. L. Debattista, G. Boulais

Substitutes – M. Spiteri, A. Bonello, C. Diamantino, K. Azzopardi, J. Zammit, N. Hardie, M. Galea, M. Van Brockdorff, S. Attard, J. Attard, J. Bonnici

Coach – Noah Hardie

Referee: Mr. Steven Busuttil

Half Time: 27 - 00

Scorers: Tries – Mangion x1; Bonavia x2; Vassallo x1; Hutchinson x1; Debattista x2; Doublesin x1; I. Borg x1; Conversions –Vassallo x3; Penalties – R. Attard x1

Yellow Cards: D. Borg

Red Cards: Cerketa

Man of the Match: Robert Bonavia (Kavallieri York Cisk Excel RFC)

Budweiser Qormi S 0

Alligators Cisk Export 19

An untidy and rather uninspiring match in which ‘Gators always looked to have the advantage despite much passion from a disappointing Qormi Sharks team, who seemed to lack co-ordination. Jamie Acheson, yet again Man of the Match, was able to dominate proceedings with his fine kicking.

Alligators finished the first half with a 7-0 lead from a penalty try converted by Jamie Acheson, after Robin Parnis-England had been tripped. In the second half Robin Parnis-England and Jamie Acheson scored tries, one converted by Acheson. Beppe Sammut continues to improve at scrum half and Trevor Micallef shows promise for Alligators while Qormi Sharks Matthew Falzon always impresses.

Veteran Robin Parnis-England announced his retirement from the game at the end of the encounter.

Budweiser Qormi Sharks RFC: J. Bianco (c), K. Wismayer, A. Galea, J. Borg, D. Psaila, D. Azzopardi, M. Seychell, K. Chircop, N. Vella, J. Crawford, F. Barbara, J. Micallef Moreno, S. Aquilina, S. Pisani, M. Falzon

Substitutes – P. Debono, T. Gambina, C. Sammut, D. Psaila, J. Camilleri, J. Caruana, A. Zammit Manduca, D. Brown, M. Zmeraldi

Coach – John Micallef Moreno

Alligators Cisk Export RFC: R. Sammut, T. Micallef, D. Cutajar, A. Cutajar, M. Muscat, C. Bugeja, M. Zerafa, A. Morales, B. Sammut, J. Acheson, J. Busuttil, A. Borg Manduca, R. Parnis England (c), R. Mizzi, K. Grixti

Substitutes – A. Pace, G. Grixti, S. Jones

Coach – Barry Von Moll

Referee: Mr. Bryan Corlett

Half Time: 0 - 7

Scorers: Tries – Parnis-England x1; Acheson x1; Conversions –Acheson x1; Penalty-Try – Acheson x1

Yellow Cards: Barbara; Bianco

Man of the Match: Jamie Acheson (Alligators Cisk Export RFC)

Sharks Saddles 15

Kavallieri Y Cisk Excel 12

Kavallieri finished with 39 points, nine ahead of Stompers who obtained 30. Globalair were third on 21, Alligators had nine and Budweiser Qormi Sharks no points.

Ben Bennett 7’s

Tri Championship

Referee: Mr. Carmelo Longo

The champions Sharks romped to a 15-0 lead with Roberta Cachia, Martina Vassallo and Daniela Casha scoring good tries after fast, strong running and clever support.

Just as they looked down and out Kavallieri switched gears and nearly took the match with great rugby. Colette Abela and Esther Azzopardi scored tries, one converted by Azzopardi.

As usual Victoria Aquilina shone for Kavallieri and Sharks’ Marion Azzopardi continues to show real talent in her aggressive tackling and running.

Sharks captain Charmaine Gauci was presented with the Ben Bennett Tri-Championship Cup by MRFU Vice-President David Smith.

In the other two matches Sharks Saddles and Kavallieri were awarded a walk over Panthers as the latter could not raise a full squad

Sharks ended the championship on 105 points, well ahead of second placed Kavallieri on 85 and bottom placed Panthers Huggins, who had no points.

Next Fixtures

Saturday 26th April 2008

Men

Marsa: MRFU Cup 2008 – The Final 4pm Kavallieri York Cisk Excel vs Stompers TGI Fridays

Friday 25 – Sunday 27 April

Marsa: Youths Malta International U-19’s tournament 2008