EUROPEAN SHIELD GAME 2

Even the presence of Crusaders half back Jarrod Sammut could not prevent Malta from slipping to defeat against Germany, as the hosts triumphed 36-12 in the second match of the European Shield, in Hochspeyer. Scrum half Jimmy Keinhorst was the star for the Germans, racing in for four tries, his hat trick touchdown two minutes into the second half, to establish a 22-6 lead, the match turner.

That was converted by half back brother Kristian, one of six successful shots at goal, the pair tormenting the visitors throughout. The Germans, looking to gain recompense for their narrow defeat in Norway in the opening game, began impressively, skipper Dan Stocks crossing in the fourth minute after good work by the sniping Keinhorsts. Jimmy then took centre stage, a terrific sidestep seeing him score by the posts to increase the lead and delight the 300 or so fans, to make it 12-0. On the half hour, Stocks was forced from the field with injury but Jimmy Keinhorst again showed his class with another quality touchdown. Sammut then showed his Super League skill, receiving a wide pass from Malta skipper Chris Parker, deceiving the cover and going over by the posts, Daniel Marzella goaling to make it 18-6 at the break.

A lack of focus by the visitors just after the re-start saw them turn the ball over in their own quarter and Jimmy Keinhorst again proved to be their nemesis with more excellent footwork. It got worse for the Maltese when Shan Francois Hussain was helped off with a suspected broken tibia and the heavy rain meant that chasing the game was always going to be even more difficult. In increasingly difficult conditions, prop Tomas Isaac powered his way over for Germany, Parker responding five minutes from time as the rain eased. In the final minute Jimmy Keinhorst crowned a memorable day with his fourth touchdown.

Following the match, Germany coach Dan Stocks was forced to deal with bitter-sweet emotions: "If we had played like this in Norway we would have won Shied - but now nothing depends on us," he said. "I hope the result in Malta will go our way. But if this doesn't happen I'm still pleased, because Germany improved and maybe this was the best performance from a German national team."

The result means that the title will be decided in Malta when they face Norway on 2^nd September. Germany has a plus 20 for-and-against, Norway plus-4 and Malta minus-24.

GERMANY
Huber, Ameha, N. Keinhorst, Koch, Schoengen, K. Keinhorst, J. Keinhorst, Isaac, Stocks ©, Behr-Hayder, M. Keinhorst, Fehlemann, Hoggins. Subs: Roczyn, Froeschner, Wagner, Doughton

MALTA
S. Bartlett, Criminale, P. Bartlett, Frendo, D. Grima, Sammut, Marzella, Borg, L. Grima, Parker ©, Debattista, Barlogio, Gilmour. Subs: Attard, Francois Hussain