Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Mackay Players Represent Malta

Three Mackay rugby league players represented Malta last Wednesday night, taking on Lebanon for the Elias-Fenech Trophy at Belmore Sports Ground in Sydney.

Mackay Cutters’ Hayden Pace and Wests Tigers’ Connor McDermott both made debuts for Malta while Carlton’s Devils club captain Nathan Benson made his twelfth appearance.

Lebanon took an early 4-0 lead, but Malta soon hit back with Pace scoring on debut playing in the centres.

Pace latched onto a Jarrod Sammut grubber with Sammut converting the try to make it 4-6 in the fifteenth minute.

A barrage of tries followed for Lebanon, with Malta going gown 30-14.

Malta coach Aaron McDonald said the young side needs to continue to build.

“Some young guys got an opportunity tonight and were impressive, so we just need to keep that core group together and keep working hard,” he said.

"They are a good young side as well, obviously they will throw in some NRL experience and you will have to back them to do well at the World Cup."

Hayden Pace plays on the wing for the Cutters and was slotted into the centres for Malta

Connor McDermott played on the wing in his Malta debut

Cartons Devils captain Nathan Benson made his twelfth appearance for Malta, playing on the wing. Photos supplied: Malta Rugby League

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