MALTA REGISTER RECORD VICTORY AWAY TO ITALY
Malta have retained the Medieval Shield as they registered a
record 42-0 victory over their Mediterranean neighbours
in Bagarnia Arsa this afternoon.
Castleford Tigers Academy product and 17-year-old Harrison Jewitt
was splendid on the wing, crossing for two tries including a long
range effort from his own half.
Tempers flared throughout the clash, referee Ciprian Gajulete
sending Italy's Davide Colla to the sin bin after 23 minutes for
striking Malta firebrand Alfie Jewitt, but there was no stopping
Alfie and the Maltese.
Josh Gatt and captain Karl Cassar connected well in the halves and
each scored a brace of tries, while fullback Zarrin Galea went
from deep behind his own goalposts beating half of the Italian
defence on a 112 metre run to the opposite tryline for one of the
tries of the match.
Malta went 20-0 ahead at the half time break, and sent outgoing
head coach Philip Humphrey a very satisfied man with a performance
that would see the Maltese hold onto the Medieval Shield for five
straight matches.
Malta's forwards were solid, Zarb, Cassar, Vella, Davenport and
Dimech, all giving Malta plenty of go forward.
Philip Humphrey said at the end of the game, "I was speechless
at the end of the game. As normal throughout my tenure, the boys
have exceeded expectations, they make me very proud".
Malta Team Manager Anthony Micallef said the team fulfilled a
promise at half time, "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 their word".
"It's difficult to single out players on a day like that, but
credit to the players that scored, and a double at that. And kudos
to a special young player in Harrison Jewitt who converted his
opportunities to grab a double".
"Our forwards really had to aim up today against the Italians, and
they sure delivered for us for 80 minutes, even if we lost one of
our bench with injury after only a few minutes".
Italy will play a return fixture for the Medieval Shield in Malta
in 2025.
MEDIEVAL SHIELD
Malta 42 (Harrison Jewitt 2, Josh Gatt 2, Karl Cassar 2, Kyle
Gauci, Zarrin Galea tries; Gauci 4 from 7, Zarrin Galea 1 from 1
goals) defeated
Italy 0
At Bagnaria Arsa, Italy
HT: Malta 20-0
Ref: Ciprian Gajulete
