Stompers fall to Overseas

Stompers seem to have abandoned their renowned free running style where they stretched opponents by swingimng fast passes out to wings. In this match they were obsessed with angled runs and reverse passes into a crash ball situation, which slowed down the attacks and gave Overseas defence an easy job in mounting a covering smothering defence. By contrast Overseas concentrated on swift passing and offloading to ever present support.

From the start Stompers mounted attacks, and the forwards were more unified, but final penetration was lacking.

Overseas full back Boland made a superb clearing kick and Overseas began their first effective attacking series. From a scrum Wright sliced the Stompers defence with change of pace and dummies to give a scoring pass to Du Toit, who then missed an easy conversion. Sadly Wright was injured and left the game, McRae moved into fly half.

Overseas put away winger Gibson with a superb interpassing movement but it was halted by Camilleri fielding a chip kick. Du Toit and McCrae were a constant inventive source and Beukman was a never stopping live wire.

Stompers were too easily predictable, and just repeated a variation of crash ball recycling.

They gave away a penalty in the ruck and relaxed as they expected a shot at goal so a quick take spun the ball along the line for Boland to score, converted by Du Toit.

Stompers were stung into retaliation to battle their way into the Overseas 22, and under the pressure Overseas McDonald earned a sin bin yellow. Stompers moved wide but a chip kick gave away possession and Boland kicked a great clearance.

Then Du Toit pounced on a loose Stompers pass and powered through the defence for another try he also converted. This blow was quickly followed by a pass to an unmarked Jones on the blindside of a set scrum and he flew home to score another unconverted try, so 12 points were added when Overseas were a man down, so half time saw Overseas enjoying a deserved 24 point lead.

Although Stompers started the second half determinedly, Overseas sub centre pounced on a dropped pass to run in under the posts, converted by Du Toit, and to make matters worse Stompers Camilleri earned a Yellow card sin bin for a late tackle.

For a long time Overseas camped in the Stompers half but their passing concentration dropped so there was no final penetration. At last Stompers broke out and Attard kicked deep into Overseas, the forwards gained a penalty and quick

thinking Galea took a fast tap, and, after interpassing with Attard and Satariano, scored a well deserved try.

Attard missed the conversion. Twice Overseas wasted a three man overlap with sloppy passing as they turned the screw and finally Du Toit, yet again broke the defence for a try he also converted.

As Overseas tired Stompers came back but wasted several opportunities by cutting back inside when they had the fastest man on the field, Pavanello ignored on their left wing. Pavanello covered one attack and launched a counter attack, then made a superb covering tackle inches short of the line a few minutes later. He is a new member of the club and it may be that his potential is not yet understood.

Satariano's magic running at Stompers fly half was largely wasted by the incessant scissor crash ball, and the feisty Cerketa charges were overused so that the Overseas tacklers were always waiting for him.

A surprise result which will make the Cisk Lager League all the more competitive and interesting as the season unfolds.