Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1110343
30 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 APRIL 2019 SPORTS RUGBY IN a feisty match, played un- der a scorching sun, Stompers managed to overcome Kaval- lieri's stern challenge, suc- ceeding to lift the silverware to make it a double for yet another year, having won the CISK League as well. The match did not start on the positive side for Kavallie- ri, as Jordan Heathley, freshly returning from injury, was in- jured in the first minute and had to be replaced with Ed- munds. Stompers drew first blood some minutes later, when Betts was given a pass from a central play-move with Betts sprinting towards the tryline and grounding the ball with no conversion being made. Stompers 5 Kavallieri 0. Stompers continued to pile pressure on Kavallieri's back- line, thanks to a flowing for- ward drive scored by the ev- ergreen Richard Gum. The latter continued to pile mis- ery on Kavallieri by convert- ing his own try. Stompers 12 Kavallieri 0. Although Kavallieri did not manage to create too many goal-scoring opportunities, full back Eduard Toderika pierced Stompers' strict de- fence-line after a supporting move by Kavallieri's pack. Stompers 12 Kavallieri 5. Stompers and Kavallieri continued to exchange fierce forward drives by respective sides forward lines, result- ing in two converted tries by Stompers' Keith Azzopar- di and Kavallieri's Branton Bonello. Both tries were con- verted, ending the first half with a score of Stompers 19 Kavallieri 12. After a slow start to the sec- ond half, both sides played de- fensive rugby with Stompers catching ground to score two successive tries by Gary Hili and Malcolm Attard. Both tries were not converted, with the match ending Stompers 29 Kavallieri 12. The match was ably refer- eed by Sean Doublesin, aided by Sam Ramage and Ileana Brown. Presentation of medals and trophy followed, with Me- Direct Bank representative, Ingrid Micallef, handing the medals to the runners-up and winners, while crowning Stompers as the MeDirect Bank Cup winners for another year. Stompers double up the silverware for this season