Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/587664
56 Malta Barbarians 14 Gibraltar ............ 29 MIKE TURNER AFTER having won quite eas- ily away, a much altered Malta Barbarian side was shocked by a hungry and quicker thinking Gibraltar side, who finally de- served a convincing win. Unfor- tunately, in Rugby, the referee is "the sole arbiter of the law". AS last week Mr. Ramage con- trolled the game well, it ran eas- ily; by contrast this week there was huge inconsistency from referee Mr. O`Brien, some of whose decisions definitely af- fected the outcome, and who missed many repeat offences. From kick off Malta went on the attack territorially but the Gibraltar team, especially the backs were sharper in thought and reaction. In the end the Malta team, despite brave and impassioned individual per- formances, showed their inex- perience in their hesitation at crucial moments. The light foot- ed side stepping Gibraltar half backs, Milton and Armstrong, caused problems from the start, ably supported by the back row, who repeatedly won turnover ball at rucks, although not al- ways obviously legally. Malta scrum had the edge in the tight and shoved Gibraltar back several times, and slowly started to play better as a team. Vinny Stivala was kicking su- perbly gaining fifty metres each time. Several times Gibraltar managed to smother posses- sion when speed was needed by Malta, thus losing the impetus. Good passing by Malta launched a powerful attack but it broke down against stout defence. The Malta scrum was press- ing right up to the Gibraltar line when they managed to lose the scrum against the head to waste a golden opportunity. Cutajar was given a yellow card for ten minute sin bin for lying on the ball, which seemed inconsist- ent with previous decisions. The half ended with a lovely try by Gibraltar`s James Rosso, con- verted by A. Cruz, so they led 7 – 0. Malta came back from the half time talk with only 14 men and roared into the attack. They won a good penalty at a well managed scrum, Mclister broke through the middle backed up to win the ruck and Julian Galea ran strongly to score, converted well by McLister, to draw level. Gibraltar hit back with an- other good try by Fred Cruz, converted by Armstrong. Malta struck back with lovely running and when the move broke down, forwards Harvey and Holliday were there in powerful support, f lipped to Julian Galea again and he powered over for his second try, converted by McLister. Aaron Borg showed his power in two stunning tackles and two great runs but poor handling broke up the attacks. From the break Gibraltar scored a try with penetrating running to regain the lead. They scored another try af- ter driving more determinedly in the loose and their final try was an absolutely superb carve up straight through the Malta backline, all timing and angle. Malta fought back but dropped a crucial ball intercepted by Fred Cruz for his second try, and Gibraltar finished worthy win- ners. However there is much to be positive about in the emergence of at least two potential full in- ternationals from among the junior teams. Sport maltatoday, SUNDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2015 RUGBY - RAY ELLIOTT CUP MINISTERU GĦALL-INTERN U SIGURTA NAZZJONALI MALTA MINISTRY FOR HOME AFFAIRS & NATIONAL SECURITY European Migration Network National Contact Point Call for Quotations Provision of venue and accommodation for annual conference Further details are available as per notice appearing on Government Gazette of 9 th October 2015. Documents with more details are being made available online on the Tenders/RFP's section of the Ministry's website. The European Migration Network (EMN) is coordinated and co-financed by the European Commission with National Contact Points established in each EU Member State plus Norway. Co-funded by the European Union Gibraltar ease past Malta Barbarians