Rampant Malta brush aside Israel 50-25 to top group

It was a sparkling display from Phil Pretorius’ men who showed all their attacking power in the first half when storming into a commanding 36-6 lead.

However, after the break, Israel threatened to fight their way back into the match with two quick tries.

But the Maltese side kept their composure and aided by the fresh energy of several substitutes they scored three late tries and seal a vital victory.

The result ensured that Malta finished top of the group with 15 points and will now await the conclusion of the other groups in the Men’s Conference to see if they are one of the two countries that will contest the promotion play-off later on this year.

Malta were off to a strong start, and Chris Dudman kicked the home side ahead after converting a penalty awarded for a high tackle by an Israeli player.

However, Israel immediately fought back and managed to level matters from another penalty, which was converted by Jack Scher.

Dudman missed the chance to restore Malta’s lead when he failed to convert a penalty.

But that failed to derail the Malta national team, who scored their first try after 20 minutes.

The hosts embarked on a storming driving maul that completely brush aside the Israel defence, and George Strickland managed to power his way over the line and touch home. Dudley completed the conversion to stretch Malta’s lead to 10-3.

Israel refused to throw in the towel and five minutes from the half-time interval Scher bridged the gap through a drop goal.

But the home side fought back in style struck a major blow to Israel just before the half-time whistle when John Connolly sped past two opponents to score his team’s second try. Dudman completed the formalities from the conversion.

The home side were not finished yet and just before the half-time whistle, Ryan Connolly scored Malta’s third try to put the team 22-6 ahead at the break.

Malta continued where they left off in the first two minutes of the second half when Strickland found Brandon Dalton, who picked Rory O’Brien to touch home and Dudman scored the conversion and stretched the lead to 29-6.

Israel looked rattled and O’Brien stole possession deep into his own half and stormed through the whole length of the pitch to score underneath the posts before Dudman converted for a 36-6 scoreline.

The visitors did manage to pull two tries back through Maayan Levison and Yuri Oly, with the former also completing the conversion and reducing the gap to 36-20.

The Maltese players were looking increasingly tired, and Israel again took full advantage when Yishai Avrahami picked up a cross pass to touch home – 36-25.

The home side refused to panic and Rob Holloway managed to move past three opponents before moving the ball onto the right wing where Rory O’Brien was on hand to touch home for his third try of the match before Dudman converted – 43-25.

Malta all but wrapped up the win five minutes from time when John Connolly raced through four players to move clear and score under the posts. Dudman duly converted to push the hosts on the 50-point mark.

MALTA: J. Bonello, R. Connolly 5, T. Galdes, C. Sultana, M. Davey, J. Walker, G. Strickland 5, J. Greaves, T. Holloway, R. Holloway, R. O’Brien 15, C. Dudman 17, B. Dalton, J. Scholey, J. Connolly 10.

ISRAEL: N. Reizel, E. Barkai, S. Hershkovitz, M. Kalifon, Y Oliinyk 5, T. Berman, R. Goldin, U. Gail, O. Levinson 5, J. Scher 3, A. Rainstein, Y. Avrahami, I. Eisenberg, R. Sadur, K. Houlston.

Subs used: Levinson 13.