Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/216204
53 Sport maltatoday, SUNDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 2013 2013 FOOTBALL RUGBY Parma stun Napoli Ray Elliott Cup: Kavallieri defeat Stompers KAVALLIERI ......... 39 STOMPERS ...........14 MIKE TURNER Antonio Cassano was the hero for Parma NAPOLI squandered the chance to move to within a point of Serie A leaders Roma as a late Antonio Cassano goal was sufficient to guide Parma to a shock 1-0 victory on Saturday night. Cassano struck with a fine goal nine minutes from time as Parma claimed just their fourth win of the season. It was Napoli's second successive defeat, though, following the emphatic defeat by Juventus last time out. Mario Balotelli's penalty miss cost AC Milan dear on Saturday night as they failed to get the better of 10-man Genoa, drawing 1-1 at the San Siro. Kaka gave Massimiliano Allegri's men the lead in the fourth minute, but Alberto Gilardino replied from the penalty spot four minutes later. Balotelli then saw his spot-kick saved after Thomas Manfredini had been sent off for the Rossoblu, and visiting goalkeeper Mattia Perin continued to take centre-stage thereafter, keeping out everything Milan could throw at him to earn Genoa a point and turn the heat up even further on Allegri. The first Verona derby in 11 years was won by Chievo as Hellas lost their perfect home record this season against their city rivals. Hellas were looking for their seventh win in seven games at home this season but it was Chievo, on Eugenio Corini's return as coach having successfully saved the club from relegation last season, who stole a 1-0 victory deep in secondhalf stoppage time. The away team did most of the attacking in a tight encounter at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, and they finally found a way through in the last minute of stoppage time when Dejan Lazarevic struck the winner. Italian Serie A Standings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Roma Juventus SSC Napoli Inter Fiorentina Hellas Verona Genoa Parma Atalanta Lazio AC Milan Udinese Cagliari Torino Livorno Sassuolo Bologna Sampdoria ChievoVerona Catania 12 12 13 12 12 13 13 13 12 12 13 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 13 12 32 31 28 25 24 22 18 16 16 16 14 13 13 12 12 10 10 9 9 9 Pulis named new Palace boss PULIS watched from the stands as the Eagles beat Hull 1-0 at the KC Stadium on Saturday, which marked caretaker boss Keith Millen's final match in charge. "Crystal Palace Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Tony Pulis as manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract," a club statement read. "The experienced 55-year-old has agreed terms at Selhurst Park following a six-month break from management, since his highly-successful spell at Stoke City came to an end in May 2013." Pulis' first game in charge of Palace will come away to Norwich next weekend. Pulis' appointment brings an end to Palace's month-long search for a replacement for Ian Holloway, who left Selhurst Park by mutual consent on October 23. Pulis, who established Stoke in the top flight during his seven-year spell at the Britannia Stadium, was swiftly rumoured to be high on the shortlist of Palace co-chairman Steve Parish after Holloway's departure. However, weeks of speculation over the vacancy followed, with Aitor Karanka, Dan Petrescu, Chris Coleman, Andrea Stramaccioni and former Palace boss Iain Dowie all linked with the post before Pulis finally got the nod. Pulis, who has also had spells in charge of Gillingham, Bournemouth and Plymouth, has famously never been relegated as a manager but will have his work cut out to preserve that statistic come May. The Eagles next head to Norwich before facing West Ham and Cardiff - two more sides whose primary aim this season is to beat the drop. TRADITIONALLY the Ray Elliott Cup is the opener tournament of the rugby season, played between the winners of the Cisk Lager League and Mediterranean Bank Cup, but as Stompers won both trophies last season, they played Kavallieri the League runners up. Stompers started as favourites to continue their triumphant domination, despite lacking two internationals, Borg and Schranz in the pack. However it was clear from the start that Kavallieri were not playing from the same script and their scrum set about the Stompers eight to have the better of the first three set scrums. Furthermore, without Schranz, Cutajar could dominate the line out for Kavallieri. Stompers were winning poor, harassed ball, so their backs were starting every move on their heels, whereas Kavallieri were winning good forward driving ball which allowed their backs to take the ball on the burst. This means that they are all the harder to tackle and stop. Such a series of drives and releases led to full back Griffiths burrowing over for a try for Kavallieri to open the scoring, converted by Edmunds. Kavallieri had a slight territorial advantage but Stompers soon hit back with some fine running, followed by hard rucking for Ellul to celebrate his first international cap by battering through for a good try converted by McLister to even the score. This could have been a game turning moment but despite strong Stompers pressure Kavallieri defended well then worked upfield. They won territory then applied their trademark lineout driving maul until Zahra, who has been playing in Scotland, took advantage of a stretched defence to score a try and restore the lead, Edmunds failed to convert but Kavallieri were back in front. The Stompers pack began to lose their focus as they were manipulated by a superior group, and as they did this they began to lose their discipline. Again Kavallieri used lineout drives to exert pressure and M. Bonavia scored next for Kavallieri, converted by Edmunds and suddenly it was obvious that Kavallieri held the psychological advantage. As the Stompers discipline failed so Kavallieri were able to exert increasing pressure and there were several unfortunate incidents which resulted in Ellul having two yellow cards to amount to a red for send off. Cerketa was also yellow carded and Stompers were really suffering from the lack of discipline and focus. After some more scuffling R. Bonavia of Kavallieri was red carded too. Griffiths and Cortis scored more tries for Kavallieri, Griffiths and Cutajar converting, and Cutajar and Griffiths scored a penalty each for the score to reach a real hammering for the Stompers. Strangely enough, with two men down, Stompers actually played their best rugby, with Debattista scoring a superb try by running in at an angle after a superb dummy by Galea, converted by M. Attard. A stirring start to the rugby season. TRIATHLON Spiteri, Vella Wood crowned 2013 Triathlete of the Year FABIO Spiteri and Michelle Vella Wood claimed the 2013 Triathlete of the Year title in the Male and Female Category. The Triathlete of the Year Award is given to triathletes who show commitment and consistency in their performance throughout the season. Each Triathlete is awarded points for each race they compete in based on the timings achieved in Malta Triathlon Federation sanctioned races. Fabio Spiteri's consistent performance throughout the year, coupled with his National Duathlon Championship title saw him clinch the title from National Champion Keith Galea. Michelle Vella Wood, current Duathlon and Triathlon Champion, won this award for the second time in her triathlon career, having won it back in 2006. This year's Award cemented Vella Wood's successful season and breaking former Champion Danica Bonello Spiteri's six year title run. In its efforts to reward and recognise as many athletes possible for their efforts, the Malta Triathlon Federation awarded a number of other athletes for their performances. The first Top 5 Athletes in each category as well as Age Group Category (Under 23, Over 35, Over 40, Over 45, Over 50 and Over 55) athletes were presented with a token for their efforts. "We are very proud to have an increasingly larger pool of athletes, the majority of which show commitment to race and dedication to improve their performance" said Cyp Dalli, President of the Malta Triathlon Federation. "As the numbers on the starting line grow, we felt the need to award more athletes for the commitment they show and sacrifices they put in." 1 2 3 4 5 Under 23 Over 35 Over 40 Over 45 Over 50 Over 55 Male Fabio Spiteri David Galea Sylvester Cilia Jude Zammit Keith Galea Neil Markham Kelvin Goodwin Kevin Borg Raymond Borg Twanny Fenech Victor Sammut Female Michelle Vella Wood Danica Bonello Spiteri Hannah Pace Johanna Calleja Amber Knights Denise Buttigieg Kler Azzopardi Lane Caroline Zammit Angele Cremona Marian Belsten More information on the Malta Triathlon Federation can be obtained by visiting www.triathlonmalta.org, sending an email to info@triathlonmalta.org or by visiting the Malta Triathlon Federation page on Facebook.