Falcons win the 2016 Ben Bennett Cup

By Bryan Corlett

It was Rugby finals day down at Marsa last weekend, although for the Women’s Rugby Competition playing for the Ben Bennett Cup, it was already won by Falcons, they had an unassailable lead, so it was more about who would come runners up, as Overseas and Kavallieri were still competing for that honour.

Falcons Versus Kavallieri - 24-7

The first game pitted Kavallieri against Falcons, with Falcons trying to play their expansive style of rugby moving the ball from side to side, but Kavallieri wouldn’t let them have it all their own way.

Maria Spiteri (9) tried to get Kavallieri a run down the touchline with a chip and chase as the defenders came at her, but a knock on killed the move. Riolo had a run but was tackled into touch. From a backline movement with several offloads Deborah Cutajar scored under the posts, the Marion Spiteri conversion had the score at Falcons 7 Kavallieri 0.

Kavallieri were competing, putting pressure on Falcons with some big hits. Katka Vrbacka (16) picked up a loose ball and offloaded to Beverie Sultana (12) who scored under the posts to make the half time score 12 to 0 Falcons.

Second half starts with a charging run by Beverie Sultana (12) brushing off three tackles and offloaded to Vrbacka (16) who scored 15 metres from the corner. No conversion it’s Falcons 17 Kavallieri 0.

Maria Spiteri (9) was a busy player for Kavallieri weaving, stepping, sprinting but just couldn’t break through the Falcon’s defence.

Rodianne Bugeja (10) back from a five-month injury layoff took a pass from Sultana (12) to score, Marion Azzopardi converted to make it 24 to 0 Falcons.

For Kavallieri Rachel Overman (15) broke the Falcons’s defence and chipped through, from the resulting ruck Amanda Cassar (2) scored, she converted her own try to make the final score Falcons 24 Kavallieri 7.

Falcons versus Swieqi Overseas - 20-5

With a few minutes to catch their breath Falcons were at it again running hard at Overseas, Tessabelle Sultana (22) was yellow carded for two minutes and Falcons used the width of the field to score with Caroline Gaffa (8) dotting down out wide. No conversion Falcons 5 Overseas 0. Sairita Cassar (11) was trying to get her team going with some surging runs but they fizzled out with no support. Kimberly Riolo (6) used her speed to score after a quick backline movement taking the score to Falcons 10 to 0 at halftime.

The second half started with the play of the day with a Falcons's sweeping movement upfield through the hands right to Riolo (6) then with quick fire passes went left for Caroline Gaffa (8) to score her second try. Falcons 15 Overseas 0.

Marion Azzopardi (7) broke right and as the defence moved in on her she gave a no look, trust your team mates will be there pass, back over her head, Vrabaka (16) ran onto the ball to score. Falcons 20 Overseas 0.

Overseas were throwing everything into the game and finally worked the ball to Christine Zammit La Rosa (20) who scored her first ever try, which had her and her team leaping for joy, even though they were beaten with a final score of Falcons 20 Overseas 5.

Overseas versus Kavallieri - 0-24

The final game of the day had a fired up Kavallieri team taking the game to Overseas with Jacqueline Richard (10) scooping up a dropped ball and ran it 40 metres to score. Maria Spiteri converted to make it 7 to 0.

Charlotte Evans (7) had a bust up the middle but no support. Amanda Cassar (2) had a great run from 70 metres out to score, with the conversion. Kavallieri 14 Overseas 0.

Pace Decesare (8) is yellow carded for a high tackle, with a numbers advantage Kavallieri pressed hard and intercepted a wayward pass and Rachel Overman (15) sprinted for the line, was caught but offloaded for Maria Spiteri (9) to score. Kavallieri 19 Overseas 0.

Overseas could not get into the game and Kavallieri broke their hearts again when Amanda Cassar (2) scored from a backline move to make the final score Kavallieri 24 Overseas 0.

The final whistle from Referee Celine Smith kicked off the Falcons’s celebrations!