It was a rugby bonanza on Saturday 11 May as the UM Wolves RFC Men’s Team faced a touring team from Wales in the form of Croesyceilog RFC on a sunny afternoon at the Marsa rugby pitch.

It was a team mixed with familiar names from the domestic season and some newer names, as development players got an important run-out, with some even playing their first match in the synonymous green shirts.

It was a strong start to the match by the Wolves, as single tries from Virain Hariramani, Simon Borg – playing in an unfamiliar position in the centres – and two from guest player Cillian Watterson – all of which were ably converted by Hariramani – put the score at 28-0 at the end of the first quarter of the match.

Croesy did grow into the match as it went on, but it was a clinical performance by the Wolves which allowed them to secure a 52-25 win come the final whistle.

Hariramani was the top scorer of the day, with a hat-trick of tries and six conversions.  Watterson scored twice, while Borg, Philippe Ioffe and young flanker Crispin Gauci Peresso added a try each to the scoreline.

As is traditional for rugby – particularly when a foreign team is involved – the Wolves organised and hosted their Welsh counterparts for what is known as a ‘third half’ which took place at the Marsa pitches itself.

Both teams then hunkered down to watch the MRFU Cup Final – a match which truly went down to the wire!

This event was supported by SportMalta through a financial grant via the Sports Tourism Bed Nights Scheme 2024.