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RAY ELLIOTT CUP : 13TH NOVEMBER, 2010.

Kavallieri vs Stompers FT 17-12; (HT 5-7) .

Mrs Elliott presented the Cup dedicated to the memory of her husband Ray to a triumphant Kavallieri team who snatched a dramatic win in the final seconds, after Galea of Stompers failed to clear his lines and gave a hospital pass inside.

The match was refereed by top class official Mr Crooks from Manchester backed by Mr Halliday and Mr Cove as touch judges as part of the exchange arranged through Mr John Ranson the ex British Lion who now lives l/o Siggiewi. Maltese ref, Busuttil, was also assessed by RFU assessor, Mr Alan Farmer and this team will be refereeing the youth rugby festival..

From the start the Kavallieri pack posted their style of domination of possession by recycling ball after ball but the attacking waves were breaking on the stalwart Stompers defence. . Chris Vassallo made a welcome return for Kavallieri and was prominent throughout the match, and Sean Doublesin was always a speedy danger.

However Stompers opened the score with a superb try after the full back fumbled a speculative high kick and Galea pounced to score a fine try, converted by Camileri. Stompers speed was infuential.

Kavallieri worked hard to gain territory and Vassallo barged over for a try but Chembri missed the conversion. Player/coach Emmerson was a weak point for Kavallieri at fly half because of poor distribution which wasted so much good ball
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Stompers full back Fountain was injured which removed a good attack option.

Stompers began the second half with some excellent running attacks as they stretched the ball wide. The game rocked back and forth until Grima mad a thirty metre burrowing run off the back of a lineout to restore the lead to Kavallieri.

Stompers fought back and Pace-Moore drove over after a long siege of the Kavallieri line after fine tactical kicking gained position.

Mallia was yellow carded as Stompers looked the more likely winners until in the dying moments a long kick by Doublesin was fielded by Galea who, instead of clearing his line, gave a hospital pass inside, and the Kavallieri pack pounced, drove for the line and Grima grounded for the winning try, converted by Mallia on his return.