Malta win in Israel

In the end Malta managed to secure a scrappy home win in a match where they were the better team but could not break through a solid Israeli defence who went through some intensive preparation ahead of the match against our National team.

 Malta took the lead with a penalty by O`Brien, but Israel hit back with a try to lead 5-3. Malta had much of the possession and territory, but the Israel defence seemed to be assisted by a generous version of the offside law by the referee, and Malta’s fast running attacker were stifled again and again. They did not help themselves by insisting on charging runs into tacklers instead of their usual wide running speedy attacks to stretch the defence. Malta retook the lead with another penalty by O`Brien, 6 – 5. O`Brien then seemed to lose his accuracy and missed a penalty, after which the Malta forwards drove over to score their first try and stretch to 11 – 5, O`Brien missing the conversion.

Israel clawed back in the game with a penalty but Malta scored a further try after long pressure, O`Brien missed the conversion again, having seemed to lose his confidence. At last Malta had an 8 [oint lead with only a few minutes to go. Nevertheless Israel fought to the lst and scored a final unconverted try but it was too late and Malta scraped home in a match where they were clearly the better side. They will have to do better against the tough Swiss next week.

Mike Turner

Malta Marauders    45             Derby RFC Veterans  22

In a rather tedious match, Marauders, the Malta Veterans, ran out easy winners against Derby Vets who never got going throughout the match.  The Malta backs were a superior side and Derby seemed determined to play only a driving forward pattern. The outcome of the game was made worse by a clear decision by Malta not to challenge in the lineout, giving Derby free rein to dominate possession from this play. Debiere, Borg and Doublesin were the most effective attackers for Malta, who were never in danger of defeat, although it was only in the last quarter that the lead stretched out.