Malta produced one of the finest performances in their rugby history as they stunned Germany 37-31 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Saturday to move to the top of the Rugby Europe Trophy Division standings.
The memorable victory provided a fitting celebration for Malta’s 100th international match, with Phil Pretorius’s side overcoming opponents ranked 34th in the world following a thrilling encounter.
The Maltese players demonstrated tremendous determination and fighting spirit, dominating much of the opening half before withstanding a fierce German comeback after the interval.
The victory also guaranteed Malta’s place in the Trophy Division for another season.
Pretorius had urged his players to approach the match without fear and take the game to their more illustrious opponents, and his charges responded with an outstanding display.
Malta made a flying start, taking advantage of Germany being temporarily reduced to 14 men following a yellow card shown to Hassan Rayan for a high tackle.
John Connolly opened the scoring after just six minutes, finishing off an excellent attacking move in the corner, with Chris Dudman adding the conversion.
Dudman extended Malta’s advantage to 10-0 with a penalty before Rob Holloway crossed for the hosts’ second try following sustained pressure from a scrum.
Another successful conversion and penalty from Dudman put Malta firmly in control at 20-0.
However, Malta suffered a setback when Holloway was forced off with a muscle injury, with Rory O’Brien taking his place.
Germany eventually responded shortly before half-time when Christophe Edene scored from a driving maul, with Nikolai Karl Klewinghaus-Hacker converting to reduce the deficit to 20-7.
The visitors emerged strongly after the interval, with Klewinghaus-Hacker converting a penalty before Tobias Bauer touched down following another powerful driving maul.
The successful conversion brought Germany to within three points at 20-17, threatening to overturn Malta’s impressive early advantage.
However, Malta responded magnificently.
Brandon Dalton produced a superb individual effort to break through the German defence and score Malta’s third try, with Dudman converting to restore a ten-point cushion.
George Strickland then crossed for another crucial try in the 63rd minute, with Dudman again adding the extras to stretch Malta’s lead to 34-17.
Germany refused to surrender, and Robert Lehman scored a converted try to bring the visitors back into contention at 34-24.
The closing stages became increasingly tense when Malta’s Zarrin Galea was shown a yellow card with just over five minutes remaining.
Germany capitalised on their numerical advantage as Lehman crossed for his second try, reducing the deficit to just three points at 34-31 following the conversion.
But Malta held their nerve in the dying seconds, winning a penalty which John Connolly successfully converted to seal a famous 37-31 triumph.
The final whistle sparked celebrations among the Maltese players and supporters as the national team marked a historic milestone with a victory that will rank among the most memorable in Maltese rugby.
Result: Malta 37, Germany 31.
Malta: R. Apsee, R. Connolly, S. Camilleri, M. Davey, J. Greaves, L. Mifsud, J. Walker, O. Vassallo, T. Holloway, R. Holloway, A. Kelly, C. Dudman, B. Dalton, Z. Galea, J. Connolly.
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