Malta  34   Lithuania   17

The Malta rugby national team was in top form yesterday at the Hibs Stadium in Corradino as it crushed Lithuania 34-17 in a Division 2A european qualifier.

Malta still smarting from last week’s narrow defeat against Croatia was always in command and never looked like this match. In the first fifteen minutes Malta obtained three penalty kicks which were all transformed from James O’Brien who was making a welcome retur to the national time after an injury. On the other end Lithuania had a penalty kick which was converted by Vilimavicius to make it 9-3.

Malta made its first try of the match on 25 minutes thanks to Rob Holloway and the conversion was easy prey for James O’Brein. Rob Holloway was again instrumental as Mark davey made Malta’s second try of the game with O’Brien again converting for Malta to make 23-3.

On 34 minutes James O’Brien converted another penalty but Lithuania made their first try and conversion to make it 26-10 for Malta by the interval.

The second half was less intense with the Maltese in full command increasing their lead further with another O’Brien penalty and a Stivala kick.

Lithuanis made the last try and conversion of the match but Malta emerged easy winners after yet another impressive display in front of a festive crowd.