MALTA BARBARIANS v GIBRALTAR

07.03.2015

Venue: Victoria Stadium

Referee: Ranbir Dhillon (England)

Preview
The Malta travels to Gibraltar under the banner of ‘Barbarians’ as this is not recognised by Rugby Europe as a test match. Gibraltar does not have membership status of RE due to protests from Spain.

This is a very strong Malta squad with a good number of overseas-based players. Malta has test matches against Israel and Switzerland in April so this will be a worthy hit out.

A neutral referee has been appointed for this game so you can be sure Gibraltar are taking this game seriously. Gibraltar has had 3 ‘test’ matches against sides from Belgium, Cyprus and Israel.

There would appear to be a veterans curtain raiser between Gibraltar Vets and Costa Barbarians. The club rooms after sounds like a good place to be.More beer consumed than truth spoken.

There are no previous encounters and no rankings.

Prediction: Malta too strong, to win by 15 points. Score 30-15

Teams

Malta Barbarians

Daniel Apsee  (Bridgend Athletic RFC, Wales) 12 test caps
Rhodri Apsee (Bridgend Athletic RFC, Wales) 4
Calvin Briffa (Sliema Stompers RFC) 1
Dominic Busuttil (Barry RFC, Wales) 40
Martin Camilleri (Sliema Stompers RFC)
Clayton Cassar ( Swieqi Overseas RFC) 16
Harry Collins(Royal Navy RFC, England) 31
Joseph Cutajar (Kavallieri RFC) 6
Dan Cundy (Chinnor RC, England)
Ben Davey (Swieqi Overseas RFC)
Mark Davey (Tunbridge Wells RFC, England) 12
John Ellul (Sliema Stompers RFC) 2
Max Galea (Sliema Stompers RFC) 1
Anthony Harvey (Swieqi Overseas RFC)
Daniel Holliday(Sliema Stompers RFC) 16
James Kirk (Hull RUFC, England) 8
James Morris (Rhiwbina RFC, Wales) 9
Thomas Neal (Hereford RFC, England)
Vince Stivala (Swieqi Overseas RFC) 16
Charlie Sammut (?) 9
Luke Watts (Morley RFC, England) 26
Coach: Damien Niell

Adapted from email thanks to Joss Howland, MRFU
http://www.maltarugby.com/images/stories/file/Internationals/2014%20-%202016/Player%20Apps%20Caps%201%20-%2058.pdf

 

Gibraltar

1. Nick Ramagge (c) - Rock Scorpions
2. Luke Payas - Buccaneers
3. Aidan Beazley - Europa Stormers ...
4. Chris Lyons - Straits Sharks
5. Luke Torres - Unattached
6. Joey Galloway - Straits Sharks
7. Mike Milward - Rock Scorpions
8. Xavi Bottino - Straits Sharks
9. James Russo - Buccaneers
10. Harvery Armstrong - Unattached
11. Nick Isola - Buccaneers
12. Albert Isola - Straits Sharks
13. Teddy Sacarello - Europa Stormers
14. Albert Loddo - Rock Scorpions
15. Charlie Cruz - Europa Stormers
Replacements
16. George Maquisten - Straits Sharks
17. Paul Lucas - Rock Scorpions
18. Ronald Gache - Europa Stormers
19. Nick Maquisten - Straits Sharks
20. Mark Henwood - Straits Sharks
21. Owain Richards - Buccaneers
22. Jack Knight - Buccaneers
23. Nick Bottino - Straits Sharks

Adapted from https://www.facebook.com/GibraltarRugby