Wales Dragonhearts overcome a tough Malta Knights side to finish autumn series.

WALES DRAGONHEARTS 34 MALTA KNIGHTS 18
By Ian Golden at Brewery Field

Wales Dragonhearts overcame Malta Knights in a very competitive match in Bridgend, scoring two late tries to win 34-18.

It was the final game in the 25^th anniversary Motorplus Autumn Series for the Dragonhearts, and despite the influence of Malta’s Super League star Jarrad Sammut, and two professionals from Australia’s NSW Cup, the match was evenly balanced until Wales pulled away in the final five minutes.

Both sides were close in the opening exchanges. Sean Franz’s grubber was close to creating a Maltese try, whilst Adam Watton nearly crossed for Wales, but good defending saw him pushed into touch.

The visitors took the lead on nine minutes when skipper Mark Camilleri stormed over on the right flank. Jarrod Sammut converted.

Wales levelled straight away. Adam Watton scored in the corner. Mike Hurley converted.

Then from kick-off they took the lead. Sam Pridgeon went over in the opposite corner for an unconverted try.

Some Super League magic got Malta back into the game. Wigan’s Sammut got the ball from dummy half and twisted his way over the line, converting his own try to put his side 12-10 up.

They weren’t in the lead for long. Mike Hurley scored under the sticks and converted his own try, putting Wales 16-12 up at the break.

NSW Cup player Tyler Cassel got Malta level within two minutes of the second half, scoring under the posts and Sammut converting.

But Wales hit back within a few minutes, this time through a Grant Harrington try that Hurley converted.

A tough midfield slog followed, and this was nearly broken by a stunning run from Jonah Huntley, kicking the ball upfield three times, but knocked on as he finally dived on it to attempt to claim a tackle.

Huntley’s second charge, this time with the ball in his hands, again nearly led to a try. It was a good set of six, but on the final tackle, Dean Higgs was held up over the line.

Malta nearly got themselves a levelling try with ten minutes remaining but Aiden Demicoli’s flick onto Camilleri was forward.

But Wales sealed it with a Jarad Hinnem try on 35 minutes that Hurley improved.

The game ended on a sour note for Malta when Tyler Cassel was sinbinned, and Wales took advantage straight away with Hurley diving over and converting to further cement the victory.

Played in front of nearly 500 at the Brewery Field including Wales Women’s head coach Craig Taylor and many of his squad, the crowd also included a number of Bridgend Blue Bulls U16 side who attended as part of their development day, training at Pencoed in the morning.

DRAGONHEARTS
1. Jonah Huntley (Rhondda Outlaws, West Wales)
26. Adam Watton (Valley Cougars, East Wales)
3. Liam Watton (Valley Cougars, East Wales)
2. Kurtis Haile (Torfaen Tigers, East Wales)
5. Sam Pridgeon (Valley Cougars, West Wales)
6. Ben Jones (Valley Cougars, West Wales)
23. Shane Lee (Valley Cougars, West Wales)
8. Shaun Watton (Rhondda Outlaws, East Wales)
9. Dean Higgs (Valley Cougars, East Wales)
10. Ben Stelmaszek (Thatto Heath Crusaders, North Wales Origin)
15. Morgan Nicholas (Latchford Albion, North Wales Origin)
4. Jarad Hinnem (Torfaen Tigers, East Wales)
13. Mike Hurley (Valley Cougars, East Wales)
Subs:
14. Grant Harrington (Torfaen Tigers, East Wales)
17. Tom Matthews (Torfaen Tigers, East Wales)
20. Byron Edwards (Torfaen Tigers, East Wales)
21. Paul Welch (North Wales Crusaders A, North Wales Origin)

Tries: A Watton (14), Pridgeon (18), Hurley (27), Harrington (50), Hinnem (75), Hurley (78)
Goals: Hurley 5/6

MALTA KNIGHTS
1. Mark Camilleri (Expat Black Knights)
2. Shaun Chircop (Local Red Knights)
3. Andrew Muscat (Salford Roosters)
4. Aidan Demicoli (Local Red Knights)
5. Jamie Thomson (Expat Black Knights)
6. James Widdop (Expat Black Knights)
7. Jarrod Sammut (Wigan Warriors)
8. Tyler Cassel (Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles)
9. Sean Franz (Expat Black Knights)
10. Jake Lynch (Greater Manchester Police RL)
11. Kyle Cassel (Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles)
12. Alfie Jewitt (Featherstone Lions)
13. Ben Jones (Expat Black Knights)
14. Karl Cassar (Shaw Cross Sharks)
15. Jean Pierre Zarb (Local Red Knights)
16. Kaine Dimech (Gloucestershire All Golds)
17. George Widdop (Expat Black Knights)

Tries: Camilleri (10), Sammut (24), T Cassel (42)
Goals: Sammut 3/3

Referee: James Jones
Half-time: 16-12

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