2013 MRL DOVE MEN+CARE CHAMPIONSHIP
(From l-r: Birkirkara RL, Gozo RL, Malta Origin RL, Sliema RL)

The 2013 MRL Dove Men+Care Championship was launched today ahead of the Cup and Championship fixtures kicking off tomorrow evening (Wednesday 22 May) at the Balzan/Lija Football Ground.

Reigning champions Sliema RL will defend the Championship trophy against the competition of Gozo RL, Malta Origin RL and newcomers Birkirkara RL.

The Malta Rugby League (MRL) would like to thank Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels for their recent donations of playing and training kit.

The delivery was made by David Patullo, a board member of the Penrith and Districts Junior Rugby League, who visited Malta this month.

Former Leeds, Halifax and Bramley professional rugby league player Seamus McCallion will be a guest coach in Malta this week.

The 49-year-old will visit Gozo RL training tonight and McCallion is no stranger to rugby league development in Malta, last year coaching the Gozo team after he was linked with the Maltese club through the MRL’s official link with RFL North-East where McCallion calls home in the UK.

2012 Malta Tag Rugby international Samantha Muscat (pictured) has sent the call out to get behind her and support the development of Crohns disease.

Samantha who represented Malta in last year’s Tag Rugby World Cup in New Zealand said: “My sister Rebecca at age 17 was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. Throughout this time, I have had to watch her take numerous medications in the forms of pills, needles etc which someone at such a young age shouldn’t have to go through. The unfortunate thing about sufferers of Crohn’s disease is that not all treatments are government funded and require approval from the government before treatment can proceed”

Ryan crossed for a double and Scott scored also as the Borg brothers recently led Mittagong Lions to a 30-10 win over a Moss Vale Dragons outfit featuring former World Cup winner and Parramatta Eels stalwart Nathan Hindmarsh.

Dual Malta rugby league and rugby union international Ryan opened the scoring early in the first half and put on the last try to seal the match for the Mittagong side in front of a vocal home crowd. Earlier with the game closely poised, skipper Scott Borg crossed to take the score to 24-12.