Tom Holloway hits a pass for Malta against Israel. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
MALTA 15
ISRAEL 16
Malta suffered a last-gasp defeat in the Men’s Conference match as a late penalty conversion from Maayan Levinson handed a dramatic win for Israel at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for Malta who looked on the verge of an astonishing comeback when they came from 13-0 down to lead 15-13 with only seven minutes left.
But a costly penalty soon after cost them the match as they succumbed to their first defeat in the group after two successive wins over Cyprus and Andorra when the referee blew the final whistle on 73 minutes when normal rugby matches last 80 minutes.
A major factor in the defeat was new coach Mark De Brincat’s decision to leave out a number of experienced players such as Mark Davey, Rory O’Brien and Harry Collins from his starting formation as for much of the first half the team looked disjointed.
But once these veteran players came on the pitch the team looked a transformed side and came agonisingly close to a secure an astonishing victory.
The first 15 minutes of the match were a hard-fought affair with both sides fighting for supremacy but both sets of defences held firm with no points scored from either team.
It was Israel who managed to break the stalemate on 23 minutes when they were awarded a penalty from a central position and Maayan Levinson made no mistake to put the visitors 3-0 ahead.
The Israeli no.10 was again on the mark seven minutes later and from a more difficult position as the visitors were awarded a penalty from half pitch and they opted to go for goal.
Levinson used the windy conditions to his favour as his precise shot was pushed in between the posts to put Israel 6-0 up.
Malta continued to show a lot of attacking intent but their efforts were being thwarted by a number of technical errors as well as foul play which saw them lose possession in inviting areas of the pitch.
On the restart, Malta coach Mark De Brincat roped in two experienced players in Rory O’Brien and Harry Collins in a bid to add more steel and power to his side.
However, things failed to improve for Malta as five minutes into the second half, the Israelis grabbed the first try of the match to put them firmly in control.
The visitors won possession in mid-pitch and Idan Eisenberg who quickly released Daniel Stein to touch the ball home. Levinson was again perfect from the conversion and hand Israel a 13-0 lead.
Malta’s response quickly arrived and straight from kick-off, they charged forward. They engaged on a driving maul and Collins touched home. Dudman failed the conversion to leave the visitors 13-5 ahead.
Minutes later, the hosts went charging with another driving maul but this time, Israel survived as they managed to keep the ball from being touched beyond the goal line.
Malta sensed that their added power in the driving mauls could make all the difference and on 65 minutes the hosts embarked on another charging run and once more Collins touched home. Dudman made no mistake from the conversion to move Malta just a point behind – 13-12.
Dudman almost turned from hero to villain when minutes later his clearance was blocked by Idan Eisenberg but Rory O’Brien saved his side when he anticipated the Israeli player who was clear on goal.
On 69 minutes, Malta were awarded a penalty from a central position just in front of the posts and Dudman converted to put the home side in front for the first time – 15-13.
But that lead lasted just a few minutes as on 73 minutes the Maltese conceded a penalty and Levison made no mistake to score what proved to be three crucial points as soon after the referee surprisingly blew the final whistle despite seven minutes remaining on the clock.
MALTA: S. Camilleri, C. Bonello, J. Cilia, C. Sultana, J. Greaves, L. Mifsud, J. Micallef, O. Vassallo, T. Holloway, L. Singleton, B. Dalton, C. Dudman 5, A. Kelly, M. Booth.
Subs: H. Collins 10, T. Galdes, R. O’Brien, M. Davey, A. Borg, D. Apsee, G. Strickland, K. Gauci.
ISRAEL: D. Goldberg, N. Reizel, Y. Harris, Y Hirsch, A. Kakoun, Y. Eliasov, Y. Rozilio, T. Berman, O. Levinson, M. Levinson 11, A. Rainstein, I. Eisenberg, N. Buliruarua, Y. Avrahami, D. Stein 5.
