The Knights defeated Gladiators 7-5 as the Malta Rugby League (MRL) entered into the Malta Tag Rugby League competition at Marsa this afternoon.

The Gladiators were helped by two tries worth double points, thanks to their youth players, as the Knights continued in the second half what they had started in the first.

The Knights, missing four players due to injury and travel arrangements, were helped by flying wingers Matthew Von Brockdorff and Jurgen Pavanello who each scored a brace of tries. Back rower Daryl Psaila (pictured bottom right) made his return to rugby following knee surgery that saw him miss Malta’s European Bowl clash against Norway last June.

The Knights will take the field in the celebrated Malta Knights strip for the eight week long social competition, organised by dual Malta rugby international Peter Bradley.

In other results, Falcons defeated Alligators II 5-1 and Valletta City lost to Overseas 8-3 while Valletta City Lions went down 5-2 to Alligators I.

The Knights 7 (M.Von Brockdorff 2, J.Pavanello 2, R.Newbould, D.Psaila, D.Schembri tries) defeated Gladiators 5.

The Knights Tag Rugby Squad
1 Daniel Grima
2 Graham Attard
3 Dorianne Borg
4 David Caruana
5 Tyson Freeman
6 Tanya Marmara
7 Jurgen Pavanello
8 Daryl Psaila
9 Pamela Psaila
10 Dario Schembri
11 Matthew Von Brockdorff
12 Christine

Malta Tag Rugby League Competition - Teams
Falcons
Gladiators
Marauders
Overseas
The Knights
Valletta City
Valletta City Lions
Kavallieri*
Stompers*
* Did not field team.

Image top left: A Gladiator tries to break through the Knights line of defence in Graham Attard and Jurgen Pavanello.
Photo courtesy Romina Tolu.