Malta will be playing in the men’s Rugby Europe Trophy next season after they defeated Austria on Sunday in the access play-off match.
Both sides were unbeaten in the Conference competition this term heading into the big match at Malta’s Ta Qali National Stadium.
And the home side came out on top 39-13 here to spark celebrations, their pace and power just proving too much for Austria to handle over the 80 minutes.
Malta got off to a strong start and were 12-0 up after 17 minutes. Their first try came from No.8 Joseph Greaves after five minutes and then was backed up by a score from stand-off Robert Holloway converted by centre Christopher Dudman.
A penalty from Austria winger Max Karpeles got them on the scoreboard in the 18th minute. He then kicked another and missed one effort meaning that, when Dudman kicked one for Malta, it was 15-6 at the interval.
Given that Malta already had a nine-point advantage, the first points in the second period were always going to be crucial and it was the home side who got them to extend their lead.
Their third try of the game came from centre Brendan Dalton in the 46th minute and with Dudman converting it felt like a long way back for Austria as they were 22-6 behind.
That was even more so the case a minute later when an unconverted try from winger Adam Kelly made it 27-6.
Things continued to go from bad to worse for Austria and, after replacement hooker Donovan Goodman was yellow carded, Malta’s fifth try came against their shorthanded visitors on the hour mark.
Hooker Ryan Connolly was the scorer this time and Dudman’s conversion made it 34-6.
Malta really were firing on all cylinders now and, with 15 minutes to go, winger Rory Brien was the scorer of try number six.
With the home crowd already in party mode, that was the way it stayed until late on when sub Tobias Boehm bagged a consolation try for Austria which was converted by stand-off Samuel Schoenauer.
It finished 39-13 and Malta could celebrate its historic promotion to the Rugby Europe Trophy division. An exciting competition to come for Malta who will compete with Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania and Sweden next season.
© Nathan Chetcuti
By Gary Heatly
