Malta International Rugby XV's Tournament
(30th April - 1st May 2005)



Group Matches

Old Alleynians 28 - Deri 17

The first group game was against a Welsh team who went onto win the tournament's "most sociable side" award…and in the first half you could see why. Sperro nicked the ball at virtually every scrum and the OAs ran in four free-flowing tries in quick succession against the decidedly bleary-eyed boys from the valleys.

The combination of half-time tinkering and Deri discovering some resolve (it always pays to visit the airport chemist) meant that the second half was much more closely-fought. The match also showed that the heat would be a big factor and that ladles of lager would have to be postponed for litres of water (well, for a few hours at least).

Old Alleynians 38 - Tarletton 0

A bit of sunshine and a tuna & carrot sandwich was all the OAs needed to fuel a greatly improved performance. The highlight of the match was Michael Thomas finishing off a hat trick of tries with an arrogant shimmy through a gap that wasn't there.

Earlier he'd employed some Globe-Trotting handiwork with Paul Buckley to unleash Mark Robertson for the try of the game. The strength of the pack and the ruthlessness of the backs sent a warning to the other teams and set a few Penguin feet shifting uneasily in their nearby shelter.

Old Alleynians 17 - Walcot 10

A tougher challenge was laid down by the west-countrymen of Walcot. John Hartley, the OA Captain, showed the way with a typically rampaging performance. Robbo at scrumhalf dazzled the adoring crowd his reverse pass (apparently he couldn't be bothered to turn round) and sniping runs.

A breath-taking tackle from Satch was unfairly described as a new Strictly Come Dancing routine. Walcot looked dangerous at times but in the end it was another impressive squad performance, a 100% record for the first day and several pints well-earned.

Group A	P	W	L	Pts
Old Alleynians	3	3	0	6
Walcot RFC	3	2	1	4
Deri RFC	3	1	2	2
Tarletton Terriers	3	0	3	0

Group B	P	W	L	Pts
Penguins RFC	3	3	0	6
Cwmbran RFC	3	2	1	4
Bishops Stortford	3	1	2	2
La Vallette RFC	3	0	3	0

Semi Final

Old Alleynians 15 - Cwmbran 12

"Tackles, OAs! Tackles!" was all that could be heard from the touchline as a first half non-display meant the Alleynians were 12-nil down and looking hopelessly out-muscled. Satch, a man who looked like an accident waiting to happen when running onto the pitch, proceeded to run onto a flying right cross within the first few minutes. Not his fault and not within the rules of the game but Cwmbran, an aggressive unit from the Welsh national league, had brought their first team pack and were taking no prisoners.

John Hartley was denied a try by a cowardly stiff-arm thus adding to his interesting array of cranial abrasions. It didn’t look promising and many on the pitch were reminded that half an hour's sleep in a patio chair really isn't the recommended daily amount.

Enter the Ladle Master... Owen McEntee came on as substitute and showed the 1st team players the way forward by making big hits and guarding the fringes. Once the example had been set, the pack began to rattle the posturing Welshman. They resorted to kicking long to the OA's dangerous back three and before Barry "the Bandit" McElduff became one-armed we were tearing through their defence at regular intervals. Sam Cross dotted down in the corner with an elusive run after a rare Paolo pass and Jamie Docherty slotted the conversion. The Doc continued to boss the second half with position and points until the OAs found themselves at 12-12 with 90 seconds to go.

What happened next will echo through the ages. Jamie Docherty received some scrappy lineout ball on the half way line and looked set to drill the ball into the corner for territory to set us up for one last attack. After all he was surrounded by five men and had no support. Well, he did kick it but he dropped the ball delicately on the ground first and as it went up and on into the parched Maltese sky there was a stunned silence. This was quickly followed by a girlish glee and series of manly hugs that indicated the ball had sailed over the crossbar and "that" drop goal had won the OAs a place in the final.

Final

Old Alleynians 0 - Penguins 54

This time it was our turn to be running on empty save for a few remaining vapours of port. The OAs tried to distract the Penguins before the first whistle by stealing their banners and sending Giovanni on with crutches to toss the coin as captain. The Penguins, however, were not unnerved and proved to be the ringers of the tournament by continuing with their enviable style of rugby.

However many tackles the OAs put in, the ball would be transported 50 yards further along the pitch courtesy of leg-speed, slick passing and great communication. They were big lads too: Mooro had never been hurt by a winger before...

With the crowd firmly on the side of the underdogs, the OAs put up a fantastic fight. By the end, it was more like a scene from a war movie with twisted limbs writhing in various corners of a foreign field. The OAs were by no means disgraced to lose to a team who have won the Hong Kong Sevens and can count Serevi as a former captain.

Well done to everyone on the OA Malta trip for making it a superb rugby and drinking experience. Top touring!

Tournament Awards:

Champions - Penguins
Plate Champions - Bishops Stortford
Player of the tournament - Michael Thomas
Top points scorer - Jamie Docherty (38 pts)


Old Alleynians points scorers:

Jamie Docherty 38 (2T 11C 1P 1DG)
Michael Thomas 25 (5T)
Mark Robertson 10 (2T)
Sam Cross 10 (2T)
Tom Woodford, Richard Evans and John Hartley
(5 pts / 1T each)