Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/260953
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2014 53 FOOTBALL RUGBY PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD Sport MIKE TURNER Kavallieri .................. 21 Sliema Stompers ....... 29 A fascinating and spectacular match played in perfect condi- tions saw Stompers return to the winning form of last season. From the kick off Stompers played with concentrated fire, winning rucks and mauls and recycling from the breakdowns. On the contrary Kav- allieri looked sluggish and slow in thought despite the return of the experienced Edmunds at f ly half. However Kavallieri definitely hd the advantage at the set pieces and lineouts. It was interesting to see how hard a time Zammit gave Stompers international Cerketa in the set scrums. However overall Stompers enjoyed territorial ad- vantage. Stompers set the pace with a de- termination to stretch the Kavalli- eri with their fast moving backline, although some of the passing was not crisp, it worked well enough and the first try by Ed Attard, who was tough enough to beat three cover- ing tacklers, converted by Malcolm Attard from the touch line. The next try was by Ellul after another series of attacks, but Attard missed a much easier kick. Next was the su- perb Spanish full back Chermaine, who is seriously fast and balanced, McLister missed an easy conver- sion. Galea's long, low, fast passes from scrum half gave Stompers a con- siderable advantage, and Kavallieri lost Cutajar to a pulled hamstring. A poor catch by Alexander gave the ball away to the ever hungry Kaval- lieri, Debierre, but he turned and caught him from behind. Then the influential Alvarez, number eight for Stompers scored and this time McLister converted to give Stomp- ers a commanding lead 24 -0 at half time. The influence of veterans At- tard and Fountain in the Stompers centre was immense as they have played together since childhood. The second half started badly for Stompers as Galea's kick off fell short, gave away possession at the ensuing scrum? Edmonds placed a precision kick into the corner and Kavallieri worked their merciless trademark driving maul for a try which Edmunds converted from the sideline. Suddenly Kavallieri real- ized they had a chance. Stompers retaliated with a series of attacks but now the Kavallieri defence was really determined and time and again the cover stopped them. Ed Attard had several strong runs and he and Kavallieri Horn enjoyed an interesting duel on the wing. Kaw- wara was less impressive as Stomp- ers bombed him with high ball and several times Chermaine handed him off easily as Stompers ran back kicks from deep in their own half. McLister missed a penalty which would have steadied Stompers. Fi- nally Martin powered over after a series of attacks by Stompers and steadied nerves; however McLister missed an easy conversion again. As the final ten minutes ap- proached Stompers Briffa was yel- low carded to the sin bin and sud- denly Kavallieri had an opportunity to win. Edmonds kicked into the corner and the trademark driving maul worked again, superbly con- verted by Edmonds. Game on, and Kavallieri spirit was in overdrive, serial attacks were launched and Blyton finally broke through for an- other try . Edmonds convereted and there was only 8 points in it. Sadly for Kavallieri their discipline broke down from the restart and they gave away vital possession allowing Stompers off the hook. So Stompers go through to the Mediterranean Cup Final, and Kavallieri must now concentrate on retaining their lead in the Cisk League. Stompers stun Kavallieri to halt their triumphant march Rugby results Women's Seven Valletta - Swieqi Overseas ............. 0-34 Kavallieri - Stompers .................... 17-0 Valletta - Kavallieri ....................... 0-32 Valletta - Stompers ....................... 0-12 Swieqi Overseas - Kavallieri .......... 5-15 Mediterranean Bank Cup Stompers - Kavallieri .................... 29-21 Gozo Bulls - Kavallieri ................... 15-0 Stompers B - Falcons .................... 0-38 Gladiators - Saracens ................... 15-0 Overseas B - Marauders ................ 21-17 Icardi the hero as Inter defeat Fiorentina MARIO Gomez returned after five months, but Mauro Icardi's comeback gave Inter a surprise 2-1 win away to Fiorentina. This was a head-to-head between fourth and fifth, but the Viola had an eight-point advantage over their op- ponents. Borja Valero was suspended with Giuseppe Rossi, Massimo Am- brosini, Stefan Savic and Ante Rebic injured, while Mario Gomez hadn't played since September. Alessandro Matri was rested after the Coppa Italia semi-final against Udinese on Tues- day. Inter had lost five away games on the bounce and were beaten here 4-1 last season, but finally got their first victory of 2014 last week. Ricky Alva- rez and Mateo Kovacic were sidelined, so Zdravko Kuzmanovic faced his former club. On the 34th minute, Palacio chested down Fredy Guarin's ball over the top and prodded it past the on-rushing Neto. Fiorentina appealed for offside, but Milito was judged to be not inter- fering with play. Remarkably, that was La Trenza's first League goal in almost 10 hours of football. Within a minute of the restart the hosts were back on level terms. It was an unusual goal, as Juan Cuadrado curled an effort from outside the box and it surprised Handanovic on his post. Icardi didn't take long to make his mark, as on the 66th minute he got in front of Nenad Tomovic to hit the low volley from eight yards on a Yuto Nagatomo ball rolled across from the left. However, replays suggest the Ar- gentine was offside. Icardi celebrates his goal