Courtesy of the Catholic Weekly Newspaper, Australia

While most of the NRL’s elite players relaxed on their end of season holidays, Penrith halfback Jarrod Sammut ventured to the land of his ancestors in the Mediterranean islands of Malta.

But this wasn’t just a holiday, far from it.

In the slightest of marginal victories in the Pageant’s history Katrina Muscat was on Saturday night crowned the 2009 Miss Malta Knight before a gala evening at Club Marconi in Sydney and describes the moment as a highlight of her life.

An Account Executive, the 24-year-old Mount Vernon resident scored a one point decision over Emma Attard from Woronora Heights and with shock setting in, only realised her feat when family and friends began cheering the judge’s decision.

The Parramatta Eels have signed Malta eligible forward Shane Shackleton to a three year deal that will see the back-rower at the Western Sydney club until the end of 2012.

Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson said he was delighted to land the versatile second-rower.

Super League clubs have agreed to maintain the salary cap at £1.65 million for the 2010 season following a meeting of club officials this week.

Under the current cap, which is reviewed on an annual basis, clubs cannot spend more than £1.65 million before prize money payments on its top 25 earners whilst an extra £50,000 can be spent on players outside the top 25 who have made at least one first grade appearance during the season.