Defeat from the Jaws of Victory.

With the crowd being one of the biggest and probably the nosiest that most,( if not all of the squad), had experienced before creating an electric atmosphere within the ground, the stage was all set for an exciting game. That is exactly what was served up! With players from both sides making basic errors, unfotunately the majority from Sweden, which resulted in a lot of scrambled defence in the first 10 minutes and that was enough to keep the home side from scoring first. That honour fell to the away team courtesy of a penalty which should have settled them,but unfortunately not and it was not long before the home side sent their fans into a a frenzy via a try. One of the main problems for the Swedes, appeared to be a very strong swirling wind, whilst not favouring any side, the Maltese were obviously used to it and used their knowledge to great effect. However more errors aloud for the home side to produce very effective counter attacking and from one of these, they went over the goal line again.
Frustration was showing in the faces of the players, but as in the last game, they refused to buckle and continued to take the game to the opposition and eventually went over themselves to reduce the deficit and give themelves a lift at half time. So they went in 12-8 down, but with heads held high.
It was obvious that the Swedish team were making better decisions in this match and were following their game plan, but, and ultimately this was their undoing, they still made too many basic errors in the second half and with the home side's back enjoying some quick turnover ball, showed just how effective they could be and once again some scrambled defence by the Swedish players saved their line. With their forwards becoming more effective they managed to set up a series of moves which eventually resulted in a try, taking them into the lead for the first time. The Maltese were still playing some organised rugby and they then scored  twice themselves retaking the lead,  making the score 22-15. Again the Swedes came back and were awrded a well deserved penalty, followed shortly by a well taken try give them back the lead 22-23, just 5 minutes before the end of the match. The Maltese players then tried everything they could and applied some dangerous pressure, which was being contained well until with just seconds on the clock, the referee awarded them a penalty on the 15 metre line just inside the 22. Everybody in the ground held their breath and prayed , unfortunately for the Swedes on the pitch and in the ground, the penalty was kicked and the fianl whistle was blown, result 25-23.
With very little preparation time for this match and players making themselves unavailable this was still a game they could have won! But they look as if they are working for each other and appear to be moving forward, this could be a very good squad in the future if they can develop together. We have been informed that the Maltese managed to fly in players from Australia, 4 days prior to the match, makes us wonder about sponsorship?