At the end of a hard played win by the Philippine Tamaraws over the Malta Knights, inaugural Philippines Rugby League International Steven Bernstrom remarked to Cofounder of the Philippines Rugby League Erick Elefante:
“This is my last game of Rugby League for the Philippines. It’s awesome that we’ve ended the way we started. We won the Bowl Trophy here at the Cabramatta International 9s in 2012 in the dying minutes. Today we win again in Cabramatta in the last minute as well. It’s awesome to finish my Rugby League career this way!”
The Philippines first try in the 7th minute of play came from a cross-field kick spilled by the Malta Centre which was then gathered by Johansel Avery to score adjacent to the post, which was duly converted by Nikolas Forest for a 6-0 lead.
The majority of the first half was a hard played arm wrestle between the two sides. In the 25th minute of play. Malta gives away a penalty in the Philippines quarter, holding down Fullback Jerome Williams for too long in a tackle.
The ensuing penalty kick take the Philippines into the Malta quarter. With forwards Jeromy Cairns and Jordan Jones taking the ball closer to the Malta try line. The cutout pass by Gerald Ubado finds Ned Stephenson who passes the ball to Issac Rosario who scores the Philippines second try in the corner.
Malta did not give up coming up with the next converted try for a 10-6 scoreline to the Philippines.
With the clock counting down to end the first half a barn storming run by debutant front rower Liam Byrnes takes the Philippines close to the Malta try line. The succeeding cut out pass to the wing, finds Issac Rosario scoring in the corner for his second try, which was converted from the sideline by Nikolas Forrest. Ending the first half with a 16-6 scoreline, with a dominant performance by the Philippines.
Unlike their first half performance, Malta came out firing and dominating the second half. Scoring three unanswered converted tries for a 24-16 lead.
With 15 minutes left on the clock the Philippines fight back revives. Swiping passes across the back line finds Isaac Acheampong barge over the try line surrounded by 3 Malta players, but unfortunately was deemed to have been held up in goal.
Isaac Acheampong did not give up with 9 minutes left on the clock he scores in the corner narrowing Malta’s lead to 24-20.
With 2 minutes left on the clock and with Malta camped in the Philippines quarter. Ned Stephenson collects an intercept pass and runs 90 metres to score under the post, which was converted by Nikolas Forrest for a Philippines lead of 26-24.
With the short kick off from Malta not collected by the Philippines. The final tense 30 seconds of courageous Philippines defence wins them the international game!
Philippines 26 – Malta 24
Tries – Issac Rosario *2, Johansel Avery, Isaac Acheampong, Ned Stephenson
Goals – Nikolas Forrest *3
Team – Jerome Williams, Isaac Acheampong, Johansel Avery, Ned Stephenson, Issac Rosario, Gerald Ubaldo, Nikolas Forrest, Ian Nelson, Tyrone Tootell, Jeromy Cairns, Russell Nelson, Steve Bernstrom, James Hannaford, Ashley Marshall, Liam Byrnes, Juan Carlos Almonte, Jordan Jones
Coach – Paul Sheedy, Assistant Coach – Jason Carter, Manager – Michael Godfrey
