Malta ease past Italy 42-0 to retain Medieval Shield

Malta have retained the Medieval Shield as they registered a record 42-0 victory over their Mediterranean neighbours in Bagarnia Arsa on Saturday.

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 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,” Micallef said.

“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.