Sweden preserved their perfect rugby record in the FIRA-AER qualifiers when they saw off a battling Malta side 24-13 in Enkoping, yesterday.
It was Sweden’s first win over Malta after two successive defeats and left them in second place on 13 points, one adrift of leaders Lithuania who beat Croatia 29-12 in Zagreb, yesterday .
Sweden were off to a flier and hit their first try in the opening minutes through Hannes Eriksson. Thomas Arvidsson scored the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
James O’Brien bridged the gap to 7-3 from a penalty and Malta could have taken the lead but for some poor passing near the try-line.
Sweden started the second half strongly and scored their second try through Peter Wiklund, the try again converted by Arvidsson to make it 14-3.
Malta lost Matthew Camilleri, who was sin-binned, but despite the blow Damian Neill’s men still succeeded in scoring their first try through Oliver Sacco.
O’Brien’s conversion reduced the gap to 14-10.
However, any hopes of a come-back were dashed as Matthew Youngman scored Sweden’s third try immediately after the re-start.
Arvidsson was again successful from the conversion – 21-10.
O’Brien was again on the mark from a penalty but it was Sweden who had the final say as Arvidsson scored from another penalty to wrap up the win.
Standings: 1. Lithuania (3-0-1) 14; 2. Sweden (3-0-0) 13; 3. Malta (1-0-3) 7; 4. Latvia (1-0-2) 6; 5. Croatia (1-0-3) 5.
Saturday: Latvia-Sweden.
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