German rugby league head/player coach Dan Stocks has hailed his nations’ success in the Rugby League European Shield as, “absolutely thrilling.”

The three-nation competition saw Germany, Norway and Malta all win their home games, Stocks' charges victorious on point’s difference.

“It would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of everyone involved which has helped the game go from strength to strength over the years both domestically and internationally,” he added.

Malta needed to defeat Norway in the Melita Football Stadium, Pembroke, by 45 points but agonizingly fell five short, winning 64-24, despite the heroics of itinerant Crusaders stand off, Jarrod Sammut.

He contributed 36 on his own from four tries and ten goals; tying Ukraine’s Alexander Skorbach’s competition record, set in last year’s Shield.

His participation was subject of some dispute between the player and his club who issued a statement as to why he was excluded from the squad that played Bradford on Sunday afternoon.

‘Two weeks ago, Malta RL quite properly made contact with the club CEO and Head Coach to ask the club’s permission to select Jarrod. Crusaders’ response was that if this was a RLIF sanctioned match then the club would release him. At the same time, Crusaders asked the RFL for official confirmation that the Malta game was a sanctioned match. Whilst official confirmation has not been forthcoming informal confirmation has been received. Crusaders would therefore have released Jarrod. Crusaders and Malta have a very good relationship and have regular discussions and Crusaders would like to confirm that Malta RL have acted properly at all times. It is not true to say that the club refused the player’s request to participate. No request was made by Jarrod. The player has made no contact with the club CEO or Head Coach on the matter and has not discussed his travel arrangements, match preparation or likely fitness for our match at any time. The first Crusaders learned that Jarrod had travelled to Malta was via twitter and the club is aware of Jarrod’s statements to the press that he was always intending to be available on Sunday. In the circumstances, however, it was not possible for Crusaders to be sure of the player’s availability or fitness and he was not selected for the 19 man squad.’

“It’s always an honour to represent Malta and play with such a great bunch of guys," said Sammut. "It was really hot for all of us today, really difficult conditions, but we put in a really strong team effort. Viva Malta!”

The Germans, who claim their first silverware in their fifth official international tournament, can thank a courageous first half effort from Norway, who came from behind twice to lead and ended the opening forty tied at 24-all.

Malta’s early 12-0 lead - Sammut setting up Paul Bartlett and then crossing himself, goaling both - was countered by three Norwegian tries in seven minutes, two from burly centre Erik Sonny Mellor sandwiching one from Hornby, who converted his own effort to put the visitors 14-12 ahead.

Loose forwards Gilmour and Hornby, with his second, traded touchdowns directly from scrums following knock-ons; Norwegian fullback Kristian Elgheim then benefitting from a re-gathered chip and pass from Bartlett to edge the Vikingene back in front 24-18.

Sammut scored his second after great lead up work from Paul Borg to make it all square at the break.

The second half saw Malta cut loose as the intense 30-plus degree heat took its toll on the Norsemen. Joey Criminale’s 80-metre sprint gave the hosts a lead they never lost on 43 minutes, as the title came into focus. Three tries in eight minutes – two from Gilmour before another piece of Sammut brilliance, gave the Knights hope but with over 20 minutes remaining they still needed 23-points.

Norway dug deep to prevent any more scoring for ten minutes and only a fumble from a visiting scrum feed allowed the mercurial Sammut to scoop up the ball and score on 67 minutes. Sammut then fired a bullet pass for rookie Gozetan wing Jurgen Pavanello to touch down, but the need for two converted tries in the final five minutes proved one too many, with Sammut bringing the scoring to a close a minute before time.

Mellor, Norway’s best on the day, was upbeat despite being forced into a rearguard action, “We did really well in the first half, but the heat shut us down in the second. It was a still a great effort from our guys, and we will be stronger next year,” he said.

MALTA
S. Bartlett, J. Criminale, G. Hili, P. Bartlett, C. Briffa, J. Sammut, M. Attard, P. Borg, J. Barlogio, R. Parker, C. Debattista, G. Attard, S. Gilmour. Subs: D. Grima, J. Pavanello, J. Howland, M. Camilleri

NORWAY
K. Elgheim, F. Skovely, S. Mellor, T. Vindahl, W. Heilig, P. Engeland, K. Milligan, I. Schmidt, N. Haigh, C. Leslie, E. Meldalen, N. Palmer, J. Hornby. Subs: T. Hilton. J. Jaxland, L. Haigh. M. Havkland