Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/664438
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 10 APRIL 2016 Sport 58 RUGBY PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN AQUILINA Malta outweighed SWITZERLAND ............ 29 MALTA ...................... 3 MIKE TURNER Malta were smothered by Swiss weight and size but were hugely disadvantaged by some ques- tionable refereeing. The Ref- eree and his assistants seemed quite unaware of the fact that the Swiss backs were consist- ently able to smother the usually evasive Malta backs from offside and furthermore the heavy Swiss forwards were allowed to do what they wished at the tackle. The Malta lineout was superior but the Swiss dominated the set scrums with their big weight ad- vantage. Malta gave away a penalty from the kick off to give the Swiss an immediate 3 points, and Malta seemed slow in thought and low in confidence as the Swiss used their strength to dominate terri- tory. They drove the ball into the corner and scored a converted try in the seventh minute. Although under massive pressure, Malta were trying to run the ball out of defence, but were wasting posses- sion by kicking into the hands of the Swiss defence. Switzerland pressed again and scored a classic corner try by cre- ating an overlap. Because of the offside pressure by Switzerland the Maltese backs were often f lat- footed. By the end of the first half Malta were working back into the game and spending time in the Swiss try line area, but could not overcome the often illegal smoth- ering defence. The score at half time was Switzerland 15, Malta 0. Malta started well in the second half and notched a quick penalty to bring them 3 points. Most of the second half was a much more even contest, but Malta were un- lucky not to be able to complete their moves by scores. The Swiss full back was always extremely dangerous with evasive sprints from the back, helped by the in- accurate kicking which gave him the ball too often. The heavy Swiss pack was pushing Malta as they wished, but were also push- ing early, for which they only in- curred one penalty. The game re- ally changed when Deguara was given a yellow card for coming in from the side, which seemed very unfair after the Swiss were per- sistently diving over and smoth- ering the rucks. Almost immediately Switzer- land scored a pushover try, con- verted to 22-3 ahead. This stung the 14 Maltese into a series of attacks but they simply did not have the final power to score. Switzerland returned to the at- tack and the 14 defenders could not prevent another try in the converted corner for 29-3. Malta valiantly attacked yet again and when Deguara returned looked dangerous, but it was far too late. Now the professional Swiss must beat Croatia away to top the group and be promoted. Malta will play Israel at home next Sat- urday at Hibernians Stadium, kick off at 2pm. JOSEPH BORDA MALTA Rugby U18s squad participated for their second time in Conference two for European Nations Cup U18s Tournament held in Andorra between 29th March- 3rd April 2016. This year our Malta U18s Squad faced teams from Israel, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria & Solvakia. The first game was against Israel the winners of the group. The following match was against Bulgaria where our youths should im- provement but had to bow in the last minutes of the game. The third game was against Bosina Herzegovina where our youths once again showed their committed fighting spir- it , again lost in the 11th hour of the game, but some mistake but impressed and showed also Respect. The Malta U18s team played the fourth game in 5 days against Slovakia, where Malta played intensive game and only lost ground in the final minutes after several injuries. Malta was also given the "Rugby Values Team Award" for their respect and demean- our both on and off the pitch. The team was lead by Vice President/Team Manager Mr.Joseph Borda and Youths Head Coach Mr.Daniel Hol- liday. Special thanks goes to Malta Rugby football Union/Spon- sors and parents for making our attendance at this event possible . Women's results Overseas 24 - 0 Falcons Kavallieri 7 - 5 Overseas Falcons 14 - 19 Kavallieri Malta Under 18s: Second journey to Andorra