| Sliema take pole position in 2012 Dove Men+Care Championship |
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Sliema Stompers and Malta Origin have opened up a four-point domestic championship lead after another round of the 2012 MRL Dove Men+Care Championship at the Balzan FC Ground last night. The Stompers’ victory however was in the balance as Gozo RL held the Sliema club for the first quarter of the match, leading 16-6. The Stompers however banked on the likes of national team centre Matthew Camilleri putting in yet another resounding performance with a hat-trick of tries to send him atop of the top try scorer’s ladder. A hat-trick of tries too to South African Rob Meintjes was complimented with tries to Gigi Zammit, Ed Willis, John Ellul and Ben Cassecouilles as the Stompers turned around a 10 point deficit into a 28-point victory in another mild weathered evening of rugby league. The Gozitans were well led by veteran John Micallef-Moreno and captain-coach Clifford Debattista, while Shan Francois Hussain was a standout for the underdogs. In the red and black of Sliema, a number of strong performances caught the eye of Malta national coach Anthony Micallef. “This year’s championship is providing a good insight into an array of new players. We’ll be naming a train-on squad next week and I can see a number of new additions. I’ve had a chat with a couple of those new players and all are genuinely excited by the opportunities” said Micallef. “I will talk with the clubs’ coaches also, and with my senior national team players, will come together with a solid squad contesting the final 17 places for our international next month against Denmark” After full-time of the first match of the evening, referee Nadia Gosney presented Sliema Stompers prop Dragan Cerketa (pictured right) with the Match Day One Player of the Round Award. Kavallieri RL vs Malta Origin Kavallieri RL were left to forfeit their fixture as they failed to arrive with a full starting team. The kings of Maltese rugby were left to borrow players as they challenged Malta Origin in a 9-a-side development match. On the back of some great individual talent, Kavallieri RL led from start to finish, helped by four tries to the flying Scotsmen Lewis Naphausen and Gian Tonna crossing for the only try to a strictly Kavallieri RL player. For Malta Origin, a strong all round performance from teenage prop Joe Paolella along with a try and three conversions to Sam Keep saw the team not bow without putting up a considerable challenge. Malta Origin will regroup before taking on fellow domestic championship leaders Sliema Stompers in match day three that will serve as a preview to the Championship Final. Gozo RL will meet in the third place decider. 2012 MRL DOVE MEN+CARE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHDAY 2 RESULTS Sliema Stompers 54 (M.Camilleri 3, R.Meintjes 3, E.Willis, G.Zammit, J.Ellul, B. Cassecouilles tries; R.Meintjes 4 from 5, E.Willis 1 from 2, B.Cassecouilles 2 from 3 goals) defeated Kavallieri RL 52* (L.Naphausen 4, D.Frendo 2, G.Tonna, A.Patamia 2 tries; D.Frendo 6 from 7, J.Rulli 1 from 1, A.Patamia 1 from 1 goals) defeated 2012 MRL Dove Men+Care Championship Standings: Top Tryscorers: Top Point Scorers: Matchday 3 Fixtures: Malta Origin v Sliema Stompers; Kavallieri RL v Gozo RL Photos: Matthew Scerri Interactive: Photos by Matthew Scerri and MRLTV's raw footage from the opening match-day can be found online at www.facebook.com/MALTARL
2012-05-24, 03:56 |
