Malta 15 – Israel 16
Tony Bezzina Stadium, Men’s Rugby Conference
Malta suffered a heartbreaking and controversial 16-15 defeat to Israel in their latest Men’s Rugby Conference clash, decided by a last-minute penalty conversion from Israel’s Maayan Levinson. The match, played at the Tony Bezzina Stadium, was also marked by protests in support of Palestine and against Israel’s participation, creating a tense backdrop for the international fixture.
The Maltese side looked set for a remarkable comeback after trailing 13-0 early in the second half. Tries from Harry Collins and a late penalty by Charlie Dudman gave Malta a 15-13 lead with just minutes to go. However, a penalty awarded in the 73rd minute allowed Levinson to snatch victory for Israel—just before the referee blew the final whistle seven minutes early, sparking confusion and frustration.
Malta had previously secured wins over Cyprus and Andorra, making this their first loss in the group. Questions are now being raised over match officiating, especially regarding the premature end to the game.
New coach Mark De Brincat faced criticism for initially leaving experienced players like Rory O’Brien, Mark Davey, and Harry Collins out of the starting lineup. Their introduction in the second half transformed the team and nearly sealed a famous victory.
Israel opened the scoring with two penalties by Levinson before extending their lead with a converted try from Daniel Stein, assisted by Idan Eisenberg. Malta responded through a dominant forward performance, with Collins scoring twice from mauls and Dudman adding the points from the boot.
Despite the loss, the Maltese showed character and resilience—qualities they’ll look to build on for the remainder of the campaign.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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