Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/643092
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2016 Sport 50 RUGBY PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN AQUILINA PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN AQUILINA PHIL GIBBS DAY one of the Ladies Interna- tional Sevens Tournament was played in bright sunshine, but in a blustery wind which made ball handling and throwing in to the line-outs more difficult than usual. The first game of the group stages paired the two Maltese teams, Barbarians and Pirates, and the Barbarians ran out comfortable winners, scor- ing 36 unanswered points. Two tries by Marion Azzopardi, and one each for Tessabella Sultana, Kim Riola, Beverie Sultana and Donevellon Sladden sealed the win for Barbarians. Malta Barbarians met the Swiss Barbarians in their second game, and this was a more tight- ly contested affair, with both teams defending well in the first half. Neither side could break through, and Barbarians failed to take advantage of the Swiss going a player down when their number 4 was sin-binned for a high tackle. In the second half, the Swiss upped the intensity, and when Tessabella Sultana was yellow- carded, Carole Casparis opened the scoring for the Swiss side, and then successfully kicked the conversion. Minutes later, Isa- belle Bauer burst through for a second try and Casparis again found her range with the conver- sion to leave the final score 14-0 in favour of the Swiss. Malta Pirates then faced the Swiss Barbarians, and the im- pressive Casparis scored a hat- trick of tries, with Joelle Curti also scoring twice. She would have had a third, but was pushed out over the dead ball line by a spirited Maltese defence when trying to run in under the posts. Casparis slotted over three out of five conversion kicks to leave the final score 31-0 to the Swiss. Malta Barbarians then faced the Czech side Lady Bugs, and in a one-sided affair, tries came thick and fast for the Baa-Baas. Maria Spiteri, Saireeta Cassar, Beverie Sultana and Deborah Cutajar all touched down in the first half, and Myra Bonello and Kim Riola got one each in the second half. The final whistle saw the game end 36-0 in favour of the Maltese. Pirates notched up their first win 26-14 over Lady Bugs. Mal- ta-based Czech player Katka Vr- backa opened the scoring for the Czechs, and then a penalty try was awarded to Pirates for inter- ference, which Charlotte Evans duly converted. Justina Zammit scored once in the first half, and Tamsin Decesare touched down twice after the break. The im- pressive Vrbacka got her second score towards the end, but the Maltese closed the game out as worthy winners. In other group games, Malta Barbarians beat the Italian side Sirio 7's 32-0, and the Pirates lost to the same opposition 22-14. The knockout stage will be played today from 11 am at Mar- sa, with the final scheduled for 12.30 pm. Ladies International Sevens Tournament MIKE TURNER STOMPERS ................. 74 FALCONS .................... 7 A superbly drilled and experi- enced Stompers brought Falcons crashing back to earth, winning 22-0 at half time, with the wind behind them they poured on the class in the second half. At least Falcons restored pride by scoring a well deserved try at the end. In the other match Kavallieri beat Gladiators 77 – 7. Stompers crush Falcons