Enfield Ignatians’ front row forward Matt Georgiou gained another cap for Cyprus although his side again found Malta too hot to handle in the European Conference Pool D showdown, having suffered a 43-21 away defeat at the Tony Bezzina Stadium, Paola, on Saturday 5 October .

Playing at hooker, Matt Georgiou was introduced as a second-half impact sub, as Cyprus having trailed 24-0 at the break, rallied and claimed three tries of their own via Dom Georgiou (two) and Demetrios Sofocleous.

Player-coach Marcus Holden converted all three.

However, it was Malta, having won a penalty in the dying throes after Cyprus collapsed the maul, which had the last laugh by again crossing as they handsomely shaded the tries’ count 6-3, and claimed maximum points.

The Cyprus team also featured two former Ignatians with winger, Hadee Fayaz, and his brother, Farhad, who came on in the 71st minute, also getting a look-in.

A spokesman for Cyprus Rugby said: “Malta were a very well drilled and physical side. They capitalised on our errors and, unfortunately, we gave them too much of a head start in the first-half.”

Cyprus will get a chance to set the wrongs to right they host when they host Andorrra at the Tsirio Stadium, Limassol, in April.