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maltatoday SUNDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2018 53 FOOTBALL Sports RUGBY – SIX NATIONS Ireland thrash Italy to make it two wins from two Ireland crushed Italy 56-19 on Saturday to make it two Six Nations wins out of two, running in eight tries to secure their first bonus point of the championship AFTER Johnny Sexton's last- gasp drop goal rescued a win in Paris a week ago, Joe Schmidt's side could not have asked for an easier afternoon but the eight- try victory could have come at a cost through the loss of prop Tadhg Furlong and centre Rob- bie Henshaw to injury. "After getting out of jail last week we were looking forward to coming home and putting on a show. We'll be disappointed with the 19 points we conceded but that'll kick start our cam- paign. It's exactly where we want to be," scrumhalf Conor Murray said in a pitchside in- terview. Ireland, who ran in nine tries against Italy in each of their last two meetings, looked to keep ball in hand throughout and de- spite a couple of early handling errors, they were three tries to the good after just 20 minutes Henshaw and centre partner Bundee Aki grabbed the first and third from close range fol- lowing intense forward pres- sure while Murray got the pick in between, finishing off a slick touchline move neatly assisted by Six Nations debutant Jack Conan. Italy, coached by former Ire- land fullback Conor O'Shea, also tried to run what little ball they had but, starved of oppor- tunity, they never came close to hurting Ireland early on. Aki, whose earlier try was his first for his adopted nation, showed off his pace to set up the fourth as he sucked in the Ital- ian defence to put winger Keith Earls clear to secure the extra point before halftime. The rout continued early in the second as Henshaw ran in a smart interception try but the celebrations were short-lived as he left the pitch in a sling fol- lowing the grounding, joining Furlong who went off with a leg injury in the first half. The yawning gap meant Ire- land could afford to rest Sexton and Murray on 50 minutes and count on more forward supe- riority, handing Rory Best and Jacob Stockdale a try each be- fore the Ulster winger sprinted through for a second late on. However, emptying the bench so early also left the hosts dis- jointed and Italy grabbed three consolation tries through To- masso Allan, Edoardo Gori and Matteo Minozzi and could have had a bonus point of their own were it not for a try-saving tack- le from Earls. The Italians equalled their worst ever run in the tourna- ment with a 14th consecutive defeat. Birkirkara .................................. 2 Sliema Wanderers ..................... 1 BIRKIRKARA came into this match looking to extend their unbeaten run. Paul Zammit only made one change to his starting line- up. Ognjen Rolovic took Waldemar Acosta's place. On the other hand, the Wanderers were eager to secure a win in order to keep their European hopes alive. John Buttigieg kept his faith in the same eleven players that won against Lija as he made no changes to his starting eleven. During the first round, Sliema secured a 3-0 win over Birkirkara. However, Birkirkara im- proved a lot lately and were conscious that a win over Sliema was possible. This scenario made this match an important one for both sides. The stripes created the first chance of the match on the 16th minute. Srdan Dimitrov served Jake Grech and the latter hit a low shot from the edge of the penalty area that went slightly wide. Sliema responded on the 20th minute. Ri- cardo Calixto Correa Duarte sent a shot from a free-kick that landed on the roof of the net. Birkirkara forged ahead five minutes later. Ognjen Rolovic's cross was met by Jake Grech who placed the ball past Glenn Zammit from close range. The Wanderers had a good chance to equal- ise on the 39th minute. Calixto Correa Du- arte went past three Birkirkara defenders, but found Kristijan Naumovski in his way who came out of his position and blocked his path. Two minutes prior to half time, Rolovic of Birkirkara fired a shot from the left that was parried by Glenn Zammit. Sliema equalised on the 55th minute. Fol- lowing a defensive mistake, Nikolae Milin- cenau went through on goal and finished in- side the net. The tempo of the match slowed after the goal as both teams shared possession inside the centre of the pitch. In fact, the next chance on goal was created by Sliema on the 70th minute. Following a corner, Peter Xuereb headed the ball over. Grech sent Birkirkara ahead once more on the 72nd minute. The twenty-year old mid- fielder received the ball from Mislav Andelk- ovic, went round Zammit, and placed the ball inside the net. Paul Zammit's side created another chance on the 78th minute. Edward Herrera deliv- ered a cross towards Srdan Dimitrov whose header was neutralised by Zammit. In the remaining minutes, Birkirkara held firm to take home another three points. Birkirkara starting line-up: Kristijan Nau- movski, Fernando Barbosa Pereira, Mislav Andelkovic, Jake Grech, Kurt Zammit (Ed- ward Herrera – 77), Ognjen Rolovic, Nikola Vukanac, Carlos Alberto Da Silva Goncalves Junior, Srdan Dimitrov (Ayrton Attard – 90), Cain Attard, Terrance Agius (Ryan Scicluna – 45) Sliema Wanderers starting line-up: Glenn Zammit, Stefano Bianchardi, Matias Muchardi (Kilan Ameli – 74), Frank Temile, Nikolae Milincenau, Edmond Agius, Michele Sansone (Ayrton Azzopardi – 45), Peter Xuereb (Ryan Spiteri – 86), Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte, John Mintoff, Kurt Shaw Referee: Malcolm Spiteri Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Thomas Debono Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri Yellow Cards: Stefano Bianchardi (Sliema), Kurt Shaw (Sliema), Fernando Barbosa Pereira (Birkirkara) BOV Player of the Match: Jake Grech (Birkirkara) Birkirkara beat Sliema Wanderers to make it 8 wins in a row Premier League Today - National Stadium Birkirkara - Sliema Wanderers ................ 2-1 Balzan - Floriana ................................... 1-1 Tarxien Rainbows - Naxxar Lions ............ 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