Due to injuries, absenteeism, and end-of-season lethargy, Marauders struggled to put together a team on an untypically overcast day. However, a few late additions trawled from the pub meant that they started with the bare fifteen against a large and impressively well-drilled Bulls squad. Marauders started with the wind and slope in their favour, but spent much of the first half pinned back in their half. The Bulls were making fewer unforced errors, and moving the ball around with alacrity, and they opened the scoring with a slick passing interchange. They soon added to their score when they were awarded a scrum 5 metres out, the ball was picked up from the base by the number 8, who crossed the line unopposed. The Bulls were dominating the scrums and regularly pushing the Marauders backwards at an alarming rate. Their third try came from such a pushover, as they rumbled over the line.
Marauders then managed to score against the run of play. A loose ball was picked up by Sean Doublesin on the halfway-line, who jinked and jived his way through several attempted tackles to score a brilliant individual try.
The Bulls scored their fourth touchdown after a mix-up in the 22 between the two Pierres when neither cleared the ball and allowed an unopposed try.
In the second half, the Marauders made a few welcome substitutions following the late arrival of extra players. However, this did not prevent the Bulls from scoring two quick tries within 5 minutes of kick off, again demonstrating slick handling skills. As the half settled down, Marauders at last started to put up some resistance in the scrummage area, and this enabled them to get their hands on the ball more often. A sustained period of pressure in the Bulls 22 led to a penalty which was quickly taken and Josef Zara burst through strongly to score his first try for Marauders.
The try geed up the Marauders, and they duly raised their game, making the remaining 20 minutes a much more evenly matched affair. Marauders got their third try following another penalty. The ball was passed down the line And Sean Duffy made the break through the stretched Bulls defence to score.
The Bulls fought back well and ran in another try in the far corne,, as Marauders were caught out defensively.
The last score went to Marauders, as Joss Howland scooped up a loose ball on the halfway line and showed blistering pace to outstrip the chasing Bulls and touch down in the right corner.
Final score Bulls 37 – Marauders 22
Many thanks to Aylseford Bulls for choosing Malta as their tour destination for the second time. A great bunch of lads, both on and off the pitch. We hope to welcome you back to ‘the Rock’ in the near future
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