Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/444527
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 11 JANUARY 2015 Sport 37 TENNIS RUGBY Stompers demolish Kavallieri Sliema Stompers ... 78 Kavallieri ............. 5 MIKE TURNER KAVALLIERI were missing several of their key players, and although they played with their traditional spirit and passion they were outclassed by the rampant Stompers slick passing and wide running. Starting against a strong wind Stompers nevertheless immediately exerted pressure with a series of attacks. Kavallieri full back Kawwara stopped a certain try with a fine tackle but a Debrice clearance failed to find touch so Stompers full back launched a dodging attack which resulted in a converted try. Kaval- lieri were stung into response and for a while managed to grind their way into the Stompers territory, but their back moves were pedestrian compared to the swift thinking Stompers. They opted to put a kick- able penalty into touch and their confidence was paid off when Cer- keta fielded a long lob pass to charge over. Next disaster for Kavallieri was a yellow card for Grech for a silly el- bow followed by the loss of about 40 metres for kicking directly into touch. Stompers were persistently offside at the rucks, ignored by the officials, and this gave them the up- per hand in stifling Kavallieri backs. However their job was made easier by the slow passes, in contrast to their own fast, f lat and confident passes. Stompers then received a Yellow card for the same offence but this did not seem to hinder them as they continued to stretch Kavallieri and amass three more tries before half time, although Jeremy Dab- attista was twice the victim of self- ish possession when he was clear to score. Half time Stompers 34, Kav- allieri nil. In the second half Stompers, now playing with the wind behind them, turned on a dazzling display of slick running and passing rugby, exchanging hard, low passes and be- wildering directional changes. Although a great drive by Kaval- lieri took them close to scoring, the Stompers defence held out until a pedestrian Kavallieri back move gave possession away from which Stompers cleared. Kavallieri were becoming hypnotised and unsure of their tackling as Stompers var- ied their speed and direction, so the tacklers lost confidence in the face of the attacks. Luke Debattista made a try for At- tard with a superbly timed inside pass, f lat footing Kawwara to put Attard under the posts. Three of Stompers tries came from intercept- ing telegraphed passes as Kavalli- eri became desperate. Max Galea made some fine runs from scrum half, but the whole Stompers team were dominant in their combined teamwork. Nevertheless the Kaval- lieri enjoy their famous club spirit and never gave up, the tiny full back Kawwara was a giant in defence and his positional play was excellent. Right at the end of the game they managed a gallant attack and scored a good drive over try, to at least save honour by getting on the score- board. It really looks as if Stompers are claiming a strong hold on the Cisk Lager League this year. It will be up to the other clubs to keep their hands off the Mediterranean Bank Cup. Maria Sharapova beats Ana Ivanovic to win Brisbane International Maria Sharapova beat Ana Ivanovic in the final of the Brisbane International in a display that bodes well for her chances at the Australian Open IT has been seven years since Sharapova won her only Austral- ian Open title but if she can take her form from Brisbane to Mel- bourne, a second title does not seem out of the question. Sharapova had to work hard to beat Ivanovic, coming from be- hind to beat her 6-7 6-3 6-3 but the Serbian is a good measuring stick. The top seed raced into 4-1 lead and had set points in the 11th game but second seed Ivanovic fought back to take the hour-long set 7-4 in the tie-break. Sharapova earned early service breaks in the next two sets and held for victory, giving her the chance to overhaul Serena Williams for top spot in the rankings depending on results at the Australian Open, which starts on January 19. Winning the Brisbane Interna- tional provided Sharapova with her 34th WTA career title and her fifth in the last nine months, a red-hot span in which she also captured a second French Open and a first China Open. Maria Sharapova of Russia holds up the winners trophy after the Women's finals match against Ana Ivanovic of Serbia during day seven of the 2015 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena