Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/747633
56 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2016 Sport RUGBY Falcons ........................ 43 Kavallieri .................... 34 BRYAN CORLETT IN a game where the score line swung from one team to the other, the Qrendi Falcons' energetic ball in hand rugby finally won over a battling Kavallieri team, 43 points to 34. From the moment Referee Lionel Da Silva blew his whistle Falcons went on the attack, running all penalties and from all over the field, stretching the Kavallieri de- fence. Within the first five minutes Falcons scored their first try from a quick tap penalty, Aaron Borg (14) scored an unconverted try in the corner. Falcons were trying to run from everywhere but some dropped passes and a Kavallieri drift de- fence stemmed the flow of play. From a mistake at the back by Falcons, Fullback Dalton (23) swooped and intercepted the ball to score an unconverted try under the posts, making the score 5 all. Joe Cutajar (8) kicked long into the corner putting Kavallieri into an ideal attacking position, the catch and drive faltered, but they won a scrum Cutajar ran and Doublesin (9) going down the blindside scored out wide, with a grand kick from the touchline Cutajar (8) converted to put Kavalli- eri in front 12 to 5. A Doublesin sliced kick put the ball into Bartolo's (11) hands, but a head high tackle stopped his progress to the line, the penalty created a Kavallieri lineout in the corner which was stolen by Falcons who ran it back downfield with Ryan Borg (10) putting a grubber kick through, he gathered the ball and scored an unconverted try. 12 to 10 in Kavallieri's favour. From the kickoff Kavallieri won a penalty Cutajar (8) kicked for the corner and from the lineout the forward pack drove Desira (7) over for a convert- ed try. Kavallieri 19, Falcons 10. Immediately from a quick Kawara throw in, Aaron Borg (14) scored with a great fend off on the last tackler, An- drea Galea (19) convert- ed and the half time score was Kavallieri 19 Falcons 17. Falcons lift- ed their game in the second half and on five minutes Julian Galea (9) broke down the right to score in the cor- ner a converted try and taking the lead 24 to 19. Kavallieri had to hold on to the ball and take the sting out of the Falcons attack play, which they did with some pick and goes in the for- wards with big Samuel Zammit (3) carrying strong, they released their backs for Aquilina (12) to break the defence and he scored out wide to draw level on 24 all. The energetic Falcons attacked again, forcing Kavallieri into mis- takes behind their tryline, from a five-metre scrum and a few hit ups Halliday (2) scored under the posts a converted try to snatch back the lead at 31 to 24 in Falcons' favour. From a scrum Julian Galea (9) ran blind, the Kavallieri defence held off, thinking he was going to pass, but he kept running to score, which he converted, it was now 38 to 24. But Kavallieri weren't finished and ran quick ball, a head high tackle gave them a penalty, which they drilled into the corner, a catch and drive had Cutajar (8) scoring an unconverted try. 38 to 29 to Falcons but Kavallieri making a comeback. A long Kavallieri defensive kick was run back at them with a long pass from Julian Galea (9) to An- drea Galea (13) who worked the ball to Aaron Borg (14) who scored wide out an unconverted try. Fal- cons 43 Kavallieri 29. Kavallieri threw everything at Falcons, a break out from their own line fizzled, when an attempt- ed chip kick by Dalton (22) over the head of the Kavallieri fullback went into touch on the full. But they put pressure on the Falcons lineout and from a maul Brenton Bonello (5) crashed over to score to finish this entertaining match at Falcons 43 Kavallieri 34. Falcons Man of the Match: Julian Galea (9) Kavallieri: Thomas Aqui- lina (12) Falcons topple Kavallieri in free flowing match PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN STILON