Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/234240
47 2013 in review maltatoday, SUNDAY, 29 DECEMBER 2013 MIKE TURNER YET again, despite the continuing handicaps due to lack of facilities, imposed by the failure of government to honour commitments, Rugby Union in Malta raised standards. At local club level it is pleasing to watch the improvement year by year, as local youngsters come through into the senior game. However far too many promising players who start as children leave the game when they reach transitional level, and find there are no proper facilities on which to play. Nevertheless, locally based players are making a bigger and bigger contribution to Damian Neill's successful international squad, in the long term plan established long before he came to Malta, but upon which he has built brilliantly. 2013 opened on a real high as Malta had risen to 39th in the IRB World Rankings, but then suffered a heavy defeat by the massive Netherlands fifteen in Holland, but the most damaging in the rankings was a home defeat by the semi-professional Swiss. This could have been won but for the first time in years the front row was out played and the backs were unable to vary from a set plan. However the character of the team, and an injection of locals, enabled them to overcome a big physical challenge in Lithuania to grind out a last second win. This was followed by the magnificent drubbing of Croatia at Paola with a dazzling display of fast running and handling. On the local front, Stompers finished last Season with crowing rights, winning both the Cisk Lager League and the Mediterranean Bank Cup in style with their quick thinking, all action, constant support, thoroughly entertaining rugby. Sadly, in the close season, Birkirkara Alligators, one of the oldest clubs, collapsed, but most of their players moved across to Swieqi Overseas, who are now the pacemakers for this season, having already defeated all the First Division clubs, Valletta Lions, Kavallieri, and Sliema Stompers. If they manage to keep all the players together they will be very hard to beat this season, but no doubt will have the perennial problem of players travelling abroad. They have also won the first Sevens Tournament. Second Division sides Ghargur Gladiators and Gozo are battling it out with the second teams from the top clubs and the veterans, Marauders. Malta Marauders made a huge contribution to the reputation of Maltese Rugby in the Dubai Sevens, reaching the final of the Plate, only losing to a Russian team by 3 points out of a total of nearly 50. They were honoured to play against some of the greatest international names in Rugby in the veterans section. Ladies rugby is thriving at club level, with five clubs, Falcons, Overseas, Valletta, Kavallieri and Stompers all fielding squads, Falcons leading the way this season, after Kavallieri won the honours in the first half of 2013, taking The Malta International Airport Trophy. However they continue to disappoint at International level, as they seem unable to reach their potential. Perhaps a magic touch from an experienced coach like Damian Neill could revive their achievements. The juniors continue to thrive, as Mr. Neill's and the MRFU's long term plans, backed by sponsors Gasan Mamo and several devoted coaches take effect. The problem is that there are not enough facilities to cater for all who want to play, and early enthusiasm gets dampened by this. More and more foreign juniors apply to come PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD Another good year for Malta Rugby Football Union and play against Malta teams at every level. In order to encourage local players, Mr. Neill has revived the Malta A concept and this team embarked on several trips to Italy to play and train with Italian and American opposition, which has proved very successful in developing talent. These forays also included trips by the Malta Ladies. Many foreign clubs have brought touring parties again, which earns valuable income for the economy. A setback occurred when the MFA banned rugby teams from training on the artificial pitches belonging to the football clubs, but this has emphasized the fact that facilities are urgently needed for Malta's most internationally successful team sport. It is hoped that the government is now more than a "listening and promising government" and is actually an action government who will walk the walk, after over a decade of talk the talk. Rugby is a Maltese success, which unites and re-unites Maltese from all over the world, and 2013 yet again illustrated this. Weather & Crosswords WEATHER: Partly cloudy becoming cloudy with rain at times. VISIBILITY: Good except with some showers. WIND: Mainly West to Northwest force 2 to 3, locally force 3 to 4 at times SEA: Slight to moderate becoming slight SWELL Low Northwest becoming East Northeast SEA TEMP.: 18 °C 18/100 16/110 ISOLATED SHOWERS ISOLATED SHOWERS UV: 2 UV: 2 TODAY TOMORROW PHARMACIES OPEN TODAY GOZO FERRIES DAILY OPERATION TIMES USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS NEW British Dispensary, 109/110, Triq San Ġwann, Valletta COSMED Pharmacy, Soccors, Triq Villambrosa, Ħamrun ST. George's Pharmacy, 21, Triq il-Kbira, Qormi ST. Jude Pharmacy, 213, Triq il-Wied, Birkirkara DEBY'S Pharmacy, 1, Misraħ il-Barrieri, Msida ST. Julians Pharmacy, 24, Triq G. Borg Olivier, San Ġiljan WALES Pharmacy, 183, Triq Manwel Dimech, Sliema ST. Joseph Pharmacy, 172, Triq il-Kbira, Lija ROTUNDA Pharmacy, 7, Triq il-Kungress Ewkaristiku, Mosta PARKES Pharmacy, 582, Triq San Pawl, San Pawl il-Baħar DE Paola Pharmacy, 36, Pjazza Antoine De Paule, Paola SAN Filippu Pharmacy, 155, Triq il-Vitorja, Isla BELLAVISTA Pharmacy, 88, Triq il-Hortan, Marsascala BETA Pharmacy, 50/52, Triq Santa Marija, Għaxaq SAFI Pharmacy, St. John Street C/W Bieb il-Garra Street, Safi PLAZA Pharmacy, 86, Triq il-Kbira, Żebbuġ MAKE Over Pharmacy, BLK A, Town Centre HOS, Mtarfa ABELA'S Pharmacy, 42, Triq G.P.F. Agius De Soldanis, Victoria GĦAJNSIELEM Pharmacy, Independence Square, Għajnsielem Emergency,Police,Fire, Ambulance ...................... 112 Appogg 24hrs Supportline .179 Sedqa 24hrs Helpline.........151 Social policy info centre .... 159 Malta Red Cross ...... 21922645 St John Ambulance .. 21945740 Maltacom enquiries .........1182 Go Mobile enquiries......... 1187 Vodafone enquiries .........1189 Government info service ....153 Telephone faults ................133 Gozo ferry schedule ..................21915111 MEPA..................... 22900000 MIA flight enquiries ................ 21697800 MIA Weather forecast ................. 50043333 Enemalta faults report.....................80072224 Water Services Corporation Freephone .............. 80072222 www.gozochannel.com Chess MALTA & GOZO: 9 A.M. – NOON Solution to last week's problem Answers to the MaltaToday crossword will be published next Sunday Across 1. Articles of glass 8. Snake 9. Sullen 10. Hurry 12. Paint unskilfully 14. Close 15. Jewish girl 17. Consisting of sand Solution to last week's crossword Down 7 2. Male child 6 7 5 6 3. Thoroughfare 4 4. Cleanse 3 5 5. Free from confinement 2 4 1 3 6. Person who operates machinery A B C D E F G H 7. East Shetland village 2 1 A B C D E F G H Mate in four or more moves 20. Person who is given to pranks Sudoku 8 8 18. Connected series of rooms Rg3+ Qd8+ Qg8+ Qe6# Kf8 Kf7 Kf6 Last week's solution Sudoku rules are extremely easy: Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 9x9 box. 11. Wrench 13. Stops 16. Song in praise of God 19. I have