Rugby league in Malta will enter its off season after a Gareth Barron inspired Malta Origin RL team defeated Sliema RL to take out the 2013 MRL Dove Men+Care Championship at Melita FC last month.
The British prop had signed for his club only a month earlier, and scored three tries to help his young side win 46-10. In doing so, the red and whites inflicted Sliema’s first loss in either code of senior rugby in two seasons.
The match was the pinnacle of a 2013 season that kicked off in May, paused for the summer, and resumed again in September but unfortunately Sliema RL weren’t helped with the timing of the match, losing up to eight players from their usual squad due to work commitments and injury.
As the match kicked off, an error in receiving the kick off saw the ball turned over on tackle one and Christopher Rulli crossed out wide for Origin RL’s opening points after only one minute of play.
Tempers frayed midway through the opening half, Malta Origin RL’s Michael George was sin-binned for 10 minutes for a deliberate head butt. The match review committee have since dropped any charges as Sliema’s Matthew Alexander asked the MRL not to take any further action.
The teams got on with throwing the ball around, and it seemed it would be a good afternoon for the red and whites when Brenton Miller finished a nice move down the left side 10 minutes later and Christopher Rulli completed his brace of tries soon after as Joe Paolella’s men headed into the break 14-0 up.
Welshmen Darren Edmunds crossed early in the second half to continue the rout but Sliema skipper Malcolm Attard had other ideas when he grounded the ball for his side’s first points.
Not only solid in defence but Samuel Kawara showed his speed as he motored away for a 45 metre effort to put the match beyond reach for Sliema after 60 minutes.
Andrew Camilleri did peg one back for Sliema, but minutes later Malta international Sam Keep, unlucky with the boot, crossed for a four-pointer to all but seal the championship honours for his side.
As holes appeared within the tiring defence, Malta Origin’s Gareth Barron took full advantage with a brace and completing his hat trick inside the last 90 seconds of play.
Christopher Rulli was named player of the match, followed closely behind by Matthew Alexander as best on field for Sliema RL.
Malta Origin RL prop and captain Joe Paolella said the match was great to be a part of, the 19-year-old commented, “It was a great game to play in, both teams gave it their all. An absolute pleasure to captain Malta Origin throughout this campaign and I look forward to us defending the title next year”
Malcolm Attard, in his first game back since the Malta XIII’s win over the British Army in July, said his team felt the loss.
“We enjoyed the game, it was tough and the loss is hard felt. Unfortunately a combination of a lack of match practice and too many first team players unavailable due to national and work commitments told the difference on the pitch” said Attard.
Sonia Dorsett from Rabat, a rugby league administrator in Sydney where she has resided for 21 years, presented the coveted MRL Dove Men+Care Championship trophy to Malta Origin RL skipper Joe Paolella to conclude the afternoon’s proceedings for the Malta Rugby League (MRL).
A strong media contingent was present for the Maltese championship final and one such piece by the Ruggers’ programme can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHjNEt78FK8
Malta Origin RL 46 (G.Barron 3, C.Rulli 2, B.Miller, D.Edmunds, S.Kawara, S.Keep tries; D.Edmunds 5 from 7, S.Keep 0 from 2 goals)
defeated
Sliema RL 10 (M.Attard, A.Camilleri tries; O.Jones 1 from 1, M.Attard 0 from 1 goals)
H-T: Mlt Ori 14-0
Ref: Mr A.Micallef
Players of the Match: Christopher Rulli (Malta Origin RL) and Matthew Alexander (Sliema RL)
MALTA ORIGIN RL
G.Barron, B.Bonello, M.Booth, K.Busuttil-Cordina, P.Debono, J.Dela, D.Edmunds, M.George, N.Horne, S.Kawara, S.Keep, B.Miller, G.Mupimhidza, J.Paolella, A.Patamia, C.Rulli, J.Rulli.
SLIEMA RL
M.Alexander, M.Attard, M.Benson, A.Camilleri, J.Debattista, C.Delia, N.Galea, J.Grech, O.Jones, V.Leondiev, N.Maylor, B.Naudi, T.Parker, J.Pavanello, M.Spiteri, E.Willis, K.Zammit.