In near 40-degree heat at Charles Abela Stadium in Mosta, the Malta XIII ran in 12 tries to 3 as they delivered a convincing 60-14 victory against the touring University of Exeter Rugby League.
A hat-trick from prop-forward Kaine Dimech, doubles from Jean Scholey and Josh Gatt, helped pave the way for a successful end to a week-long national training camp on the Maltese Islands.
Speaking after the match, Kaine Dimech said ‘‘The camp was a huge success with a lot of new faces stepping up and setting a platform for us to score some really good tries’’.
‘‘It’s clear the domestic lads are getting stronger and we’re becoming less reliant on overseas based players to create and execute opportunities’’.
‘‘But that growing talent is building something big for Malta Rugby League. Both in talent and the bond between the lads. Hopefully this week’s training camp has been another step in the right direction and has helped to build the pool of domestic players who will stick their hands up for the European Championship games later this year’’.
It wasn’t only Dimech’s three tries, he completed a sterling afternoon by also setting up a couple of others. On another occasion, it was the through-the-hands from the right edge to the far left just before half time that saw winger Jean Scholey cross for a beautiful team try.
A debut try on the wing by Kane Tippett when he collected a Jarrod Sammut cross-field kick and scored, and a try by vice-captain Jean-Pierre Zarb only a day after the passing of his father, were among the special moments of the day.
For the visitors, they led 8-6 after 15 minutes, but as the Maltese ascertained their dominance, it was a difficult challenge in the Maltese summer heat.
Two-try captain Ben Mirchandani said, ‘‘It was a tough match in extremely hot conditions but nevertheless the boys put everything into it showing some very promising passages of play’’.
‘‘Congratulations to Malta who brought excellent physicality and skill coming out deserved winners with a big thank you for their hospitality at the dinner in the evening. Whilst not the result we hoped for, the boys will have learnt a lot from playing against such high quality opposition’’.
With 11 starting players hailing from Malta, and another four players making their Maltese representative debut, MRL officials heralded the result a resounding success.
Malta will be in international action again on October 18 at home to the Netherlands, before an away leg to Serbia on November 1.
Malta XIII 60 (K.Dimech 3, J.Scholey 2, J.Gatt 2, J.Sammut, K.Gauci, JP.Zarb, J.Micallef, K.Tippett tries; J.Sammut 6 from 12 goals) defeated
University of Exeter 14 (B.Mirchandani 2, T.Griffiths tries, B.Mirchandani 1 from 1, T.Griffiths 0 from 1, D.Jones 0 from 1 goals)
At Charles Abela Stadium, Mosta
Match-Officials: Bjorn Micallef (Mlt) and Joey Galea (Mlt)