Try doubles for Harrison Jewitt, and half backs Josh Gatt and Karl Cassar saw Malta retain the Medieval Shield for the fifth time, with a convincing 42-0 victory over Italy in Bagarnia Arsa in a men’s senior international for world ranking points. 

Teenage winger Harrison Jewitt from Castleford’s academy stood out on the wing including a long-range effort from his own half, but that was topped by fullback Zarrin Galea who went from deep behind his own line and evaded half of the Italian cover to the opposite tryline for the try of the match.

Malta were 20-0 ahead at the break, outgoing men’s head coach Philip Humphrey commenting: “The boys have exceeded expectations, they make me very proud. We were very happy with the first half performance into the wind, but the team gave its word at half time to defend the Italians to zero, and they kept to it.”