Malta 25

Sweden 23

A last gasp penalty gave Malta a dramatic victory against Sweden yesterday at The Hibs Ground in Kordin, as the Maltese registered a double on the Swedes after the 9-6 victory in Sweden.

The Swedes took the lead through a penalty taken by Johansson, but the locals hit back on 18 minutes with an Obrien try.

Seven minutes later Malta went 12-3 in fron after another try and conversion by Obrien.

After missing a penalty, sweden reduced the arrears in the last attack of the first half with a Arverdtson try, but luckily for us the Swedes missed the conversion for a half time score of 12-8 for Malta.

On the resumption sweden took the locals by surprise with a quick try and conversion as the Scandinavians forged ahead 12-15.

On 53 minutes a brilliant move by the Maltese with a Culnane try. Obrien missed the conversion as malta went back in front 17-15.

malta further increased its lead with another Obrien try, with the same player again missing out on the conversion.

On the hour a Johannson penalty put the Swedes back on track for a 22-18 score.

In the last minutes the Swedish coach made four substitutions and the fresh blood gave the desired effect as the Swedes made a try through Deish on 75 minutes, who luckily for us failed to convert.

With five minutes to go Malta was trailing 22-23. Malta was now desperate but five minutes into stoppage time, the local heroes won a penalty which James Obrien converted for a dramatic 25-23 victory with the last kick of the match.