Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/584253
56 Sport maltatoday, SUNDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2015 RUGBY - RAY ELLIOTT CUP Overseas storm to victory Sliema Stompers ...........3 Swieqi Overseas ...........28 MIKE TURNER IN front of an enthusiastic crowd of some 400 spectators, Overseas clearly laid down a strong challenge for further honours in this coming season. The Ray Elliott Cup is tra- ditionally contested between the winners of the Cisk Lager League and the Mediterranean Bank Cup. As Stompers won the double they played Overseas, the runners up in the Cisk Lager League. Both sides were a bit rusty after the summer lay off but it was an entertaining match, even if many promising flowing moves faltered on elementary mistakes. Overseas started with a bang, swinging the ball along the line to stretch Stompers defence and then kicking accurately to the corner. The Overseas' tight scrum imme- diately proved superior, but their lineout drill was chaotic with the Stompers defending well until a penalty was awarded for offside, convereted by Duchange giving the champions a 3-point lead. Stompers were stung into im- mediate response, Overseas fouled up the kick off and in desperation gave away a penalty for McLister to convert and Stompers drew lev- el. Accurate kicking to the corner set up Overseas attacks again and a powerful scrum drive saw them setting Stompers back on their heels. Stivala broke wide , swapped passes, and scoring a fine try. The Stompers' stoic defending and the Overseas' rusty dithering kept the champions out but finally the promising lock, Schembri drove in for another try. A fine move with forwards Schembri and Harvey passing in the line, set winger Borg free but he stepped in touch. Stompers then embarked on their best period of the match, launching a series of attacks, in which McLister and Cerketa were front runners, but without suc- cess against stalwart tackling. It looked as if the determined speed of Stompers might just turn the match, but they finished the half 3-13 down. In the second half, with the slight downhill advantage, Overseas just took charge of the game, most of which was spent well in the Stomp- ers half launching waves of attacks against the gritty defence. A very brief expedition into Overseas' half saw Stompers thrown back to their line and finally Duchange scored a penalty to extend the lead and the defence finally broke. Cassar broke of the back of a scrum in a powerful, curving run, exchanged passes with Borg and cut back in to score near the posts, converted by Duchange and Overseas were run- ning away at 23 – 3. Stompers were again stung into reaction but their brief period of attack soon ran out of fitness steam, and Overseas soon camped on the attack again. One pushover try was disallowed but they finally managed the last try of the match to take the score up to 28. One glaring weakness which could cost them dearly is the lack of a good place kicker, as Duchange only converted twice from five at- tempts. Referee Ramage controlled athe good spirited game very well. PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD