Match Report

2019 Motorplus Autumn Series

23 November 2019 • KO 14:30

34 v 18

Dunraven Brewery Field, Bridgend

Attendance:

Referee : James Jones

Match Stats
6   Tries   0
5   Conversions   0
0   Penalties   0
0   Drop Goals   0

Match Report

Malta


By Ian Golden

Wales Dragonhearts overcame Malta Knights in a very competitive match in Bridgend, scoring two late tries to win 34-18.

It was the final game in the 25th anniversary Motorplus Autumn Series for the Dragonhearts, and despite the influence of Malta’s Super League star Jarrad Sammut, and two professionals from Australia’s NSW Cup, the match was evenly balanced until Wales pulled away in the final five minutes.

Both sides were close in the opening exchanges. Sean Franz’s grubber was close to creating a Maltese try, whilst Adam Watton nearly crossed for Wales, but good defending saw him pushed into touch.

The visitors took the lead on nine minutes when skipper Mark Camilleri stormed over on the right flank. Jarrod Sammut converted.

Wales levelled straight away. Adam Watton scored in the corner. Mike Hurley converted.

Then from kick-off they took the lead. Sam Pridgeon went over in the opposite corner for an unconverted try.

Some Super League magic got Malta back into the game. Wigan's Sammut got the ball from dummy half and twisted his way over the line, converting his own try to put his side 12-10 up.

They weren’t in the lead for long. Mike Hurley scored under the sticks and converted his own try, putting Wales 16-12 up at the break.

NSW Cup player Tyler Cassel got Malta level within two minutes of the second half, scoring under the posts and Sammut converting.

But Wales hit back within a few minutes, this time through a Grant Harrington try that Hurley converted.

A tough midfield slog followed, and this was nearly broken by a stunning run from Jonah Huntley, kicking the ball upfield three times, but knocked on as he finally dived on it to attempt to claim a tackle.

Huntley’s second charge, this time with the ball in his hands, again nearly led to a try. It was a good set of six, but on the final tackle, Dean Higgs was held up over the line.

Malta nearly got themselves a levelling try with ten minutes remaining, but Aiden Demicoli’s flick onto Camilleri was forward.

But Wales sealed it with a Jarad Hinnem try on 35 minutes that Hurley improved.

The game ended on a sour note for Malta when Tyler Cassel was sinbinned and Wales took advantage straight away with Hurley diving over and converting.

Team Lists and Scoring Information

Welsh League Tries Goals DGs Pts Cards
1 Jonah Huntley
2 Adam Watton 1 4
3 Liam Watton (c)
4 Kurtis Haile
5 Sam Pridgeon 1 4
6 Ben Jones
7 Shane Lee
8 Shaun Watton
9 Dean Higgs
10 Ben Stelmaszek
11 Jarad Hinnem 1 4
12 Morgan Nicholas
13 Mike Hurley 2 4 16
Substitute
14 Grant Harrington 1 4
17 Tom Matthews Y
20 Byron Edwards 1 2
21 Paul Welch
Malta Tries Goals DGs Pts Cards
1 Mark Camilleri (c) 1 4
2 Shaun Chircop
3 Andrew Muscat
4 Aiden Demicoli
5 Jamie Thompson
6 James Widdop
7 Jarrod Sammut 1 3 10
8 Tyler Cassel 1 4 Y
9 Sean Franz
10 Jake Lynch
11 Kyle Cassel
12 Alfie Jewitt Y
13 Ben Jones
Substitute
14 Karl Cassar
15 Jean-Pierre Zarb
16 Kane Dimech
17 George Widdop
Time Score Player Team Action
9 0 - 0 Mark Camilleri Try
10 0 - 0 Jarrod Sammut Conversion
13 4 - 0 Adam Watton Welsh League Try
14 6 - 0 Mike Hurley Welsh League Conversion
17 10 - 0 Sam Pridgeon Welsh League Try
19 10 - 0 Mike Hurley Welsh League Missed Conversion
23 10 - 0 Jarrod Sammut Welsh League Try
24 10 - 0 Jarrod Sammut Welsh League Conversion
26 14 - 0 Mike Hurley Welsh League Try
27 16 - 0 Mike Hurley Welsh League Conversion
42 16 - 0 Tyler Cassel Welsh League Try
43 16 - 0 Jarrod Sammut Welsh League Conversion
49 20 - 0 Grant Harrington Welsh League Try
50 22 - 0 Mike Hurley Welsh League Conversion
60 22 - 0 Tom Matthews Welsh League Yellow Card
60 22 - 0 Alfie Jewitt Welsh League Yellow Card
75 26 - 0 Jarad Hinnem Welsh League Try
76 28 - 0 Mike Hurley Welsh League Conversion
77 32 - 0 Mike Hurley Welsh League Try
77 32 - 0 Tyler Cassel Welsh League Yellow Card
78 34 - 0 Byron Edwards Welsh League Conversion