Gozo welcomed its first rugby game last night when Gozo Rugby League hosted Calderdale College U19's at Sannat. 

Damp conditions didn't scare the faithful of curious onlookers that came to support the local team in its first home match, those in attendance watching a gifted Calderdale College claim the Dove Men+Care Trophy after an emphatic 58-6 victory. 

The touring team from England boasted four players signed to pro club Halifax and coach Lee Greenwood was full of praise for his young charges as well as the opposition. 

"I've got two very quick lads; Connor Farnell and Matty Prest, they did quite well. Not necessarily down either side because we exploited both sides when we could but we took advantage of those holes" said Greenwood. "They've (Gozo) got something good over here, they made my boys work hard for every try, until the very end they were chasing making every score difficult" 

Gozo played a spirited performance, backed by its full availability of Malta national team players in Debattista, Hili and Hussain. Hussain added the conversion after halfback Sam Keep scored an enterprising try after only 10 minutes to put the home side level at 6-all. But the Englishmen kicked on after the half hour mark and went into the half-time break up 30-6.

Gozo captain-coach Clifford Debattista was impressed at the opposition who took advantage of the Gozitans inexperienced players, "They're a good team. They're skilful, quick and obviously came here for a good game of rugby league" "Our defensive line had many problems, especially with our newer players and you can't afford to do that. We were leaving holes and that's where they got through us" said Debattista after the match. 

Skill, stamina and knowledge of the game played the major difference and the Englishmen carried on in the second half what they'd commenced in the first, for a commanding 58-6 victory. 

Calderdale College 58 (M.Prest 4, C.Farnell 2, A.Beare, J.Martin, B.Fleming, J.Turner, N.Marchant, S.Dunn tries; J.Hanson 3, J.Martin 2 conversions) defeated
Gozo RL 6 (S.Keep try, S.F.Hussain 1 conversion)at Sannat, Gozo

H-T: CC 30-6

Ref: N.Gosney (Mlt)

Att: 75 

LEE GREENWOOD FULL POST MATCH COMMENTS (Calderdale College U19’s)"It's been great to get a game while we're here (Malta/Gozo). The facilities have been great, the setup, everything has been great so far" "The game, the first half an hour, they gave as good as they got. It was quite windy too. It's only after that, they ran out of steam and we took advantage of the holes and the very, very wide pitch" "They've got something good over here, they made my boys work hard for every try, until the very end they were chasing making every score difficult" "I've got two very quick lads; Connor Farnell and Matty Prest, they did quite well. Not necessarily down either side because we exploited both sides when we could but we took advantage of those holes" "The way we got through them was just knowing the game, and that takes years to work out whereas some of those Gozo boys were playing their first match together. Credit to them where it's due, they did well" 

CLIFFORD DEBATTISTA FULL POST MATCH COMMENTS (Gozo RL)"They're (Calderdale College) a good team. They're skilful, quick and obviously came here for a good game of rugby league" "We had two players injured; one to hospital, and we were playing short for most of the match" "Our defensive line had many problems, especially with our newer players and you can't afford to do that. We were leaving holes and that's where they got through us" "Fitness, they didn't leave a stone unturned. But we can work harder on that. They're a good team and we had a good, fair game"