Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/591015
56 Sport maltatoday, SUNDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2015 RUGBY Stompers ................ 43 Falcons ................... 12 BRYAN CORLET T LAST seasons' champions Slie- ma Stompers didn't have it all their own way in the Cisk League game played down at Marsa yes- terday against the Qrendi Fal- cons. Played in warm overcast conditions with a breeze blow- ing. It was a lively start to the game with both teams moving the ball, looking for a way through the defensive wall. Any penal- ties that Falcons were awarded were quickly tapped and moved wide, even turning down a few kicks for goal that could have put some points on the board. Stompers put a lot pressure on the younger, lighter Falcons forward pack, so any ball they received from their own scrum was untidy, although scrum half Julian Galea(9) was clearing the ball as quickly and efficiently as he could. Max Galea behind the stronger pack was firing out long passes trying to get his backs into the game and on 6 minutes they scored their first try pass- ing wide with fullback Julian Caruana (15) in the line scoring and McLister(10) converting. The game was not f luid, there were a lot of dropped passes and poor options taken at times, which frustrated both players and spectators alike. Stomp- ers were struggling with their lineout throws and lost some promising field positions only to have the Falcons grab the ball and clear downfield. Falcons attacked for a period of time but cannot get through the Stomper's defensive wall. A grubber is tried but the Stomp- ers fullback tracks back and touches down for a 22 metre dropout. A dropped ball from a Fal- cons penalty tap and go, had the Stompers on the attack passing freely with Mathew Spiteri(4) bashing his way through the Falcons backline to score. Cerketta(8) crashed his way over the gainline opening up a passage for Jeremy Debattista(20) to score 15 metres in from the touchline. McLister(10) broke down the middle but just when he was about to off load, the ball was knocked out of his hands. From the ensuing scrum Cerketta(8) charged for the tryline but was held up, Galea(9) passed the ball left to McLister(10) who darted for the line and as he was tackled he off loaded to Jeremy Debattista(20) who scored. Following a stirring half time talk in the Falcon's camp with coaches and players renewing their determination to get into the game, both teams missed a spate of chances. First Falcons missed a shot at goal from a handy posi- tion and then after a Stomper's Camilleri(13) burst for the line, bumping off two defenders, with the line open, the pass was dropped. From a 5-metre scrum Max Galea ruan f lat and off loaded to McLister(10) who scored under the posts. Stompers attacked again from the kick off but knock on close to the Falcon's line From the Falcon's scrum Julian Galea(9) who moved from scrum half to outside half went blind from be- hind his own line and drew a de- fender and passes to his winger, but the ball bounced into touch foiling a promising counter at- tack. The Stompers had a series of pick and goes inching to- wards the tryline and finally Nick Maylor(7) reached out and scored. In a do or die effort the Falcons lift their game and a series of for- ward bashes had Tim Vella(22) scoring, Julian Galea(9) converts and finally Falcons were on the board. From a dropped ball from a Stomper's backline moved An- drew Galea(12) sprints upfield and draws the fullback then fires a long arching pass to his left to Sean Gregory(23) who dived over in the corner. The kick misses. In the final minutes John Ellul having came on as a replacement scores to make the final score. A game that didn't reach any great heights as passes were dropped and promising moves were thwarted from poor deci- sion making, but it is still early season and play will get better as the players get fitter. Falcons put up a brave effort as a young team now playing in the top league, they are gaining confidence as they gain experience. Junior Rugby A visiting school team on tour, St Bethany from Kent played a series of games against a Malta under 18 team.on Friday night they won the 15s but a series of 10s Rugby on Saturday morning was drawn 2 games a piece PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD Stompers too strong for Falcons PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD