By JOE SANTAMARIA
Round Eleven of the Super Rugby Season began with a mouthwatering double header on Friday night with huge ramifications for the play-offs.
Pampas produced their best performance of the season with a huge victory against fellow Argentinian side Dogos that sent the Buenos Aires franchise to the top of the table. Both sides exchanged early penalties before powerful Dogos hooker Tomas Bartolini crashed over to put his side in control. Pampas fought back with a well-taken try from centre Justo Piccardo and further penalties from Joaquin De La Vega Mendia. Dogos fullback scored after a period of sustained pressure to ensure Pampas led by just five points at the break.
The game’s momentum swung back and forth after half time with neither side able to land a knockout blow as the game more than lived up to its pre-match billing. It was clear that a moment of quality would be needed to breach either defence and Pampas provided if after 63 minutes when centre Juan Pablo Castro Collado picked a sumptuous line and raced in unopposed. Try-scoring sensation Santiago Pernas was able to add the bonus point with a powerful finish in the corner before flanker Nicolas Damorim crowned a brilliant individual display with a try from close range.
The Dogos players looked as though they could scarcely believe the 37-15 scoreline and will need to recover quickly after losing back-to-back games. Pampas’ victory means they are certain to feature in the semi-finals and will feel this performance is the springboard they need to deliver their maiden title in June.
Defending champions Peñarol produced their best performance of the season in their 35-17 victory over Selknam which could have huge ramifications in the race for the play-offs. No.8 Carlos Manuel Deus gave the Uruguayan hosts the perfect start after charging down a clearance kick and scoring to give his side an early lead. If Deus’ try was opportunistic, his teammate Ignacio Alvarez’s stunning effort from sixty metres was anything but, as the fullback showed great pace and composure to leave defenders in his wake. The hosts kept pouring forwards and Selknam simply couldn’t cope, as Dante Soto’s converted try gave his side a commanding 22-3 lead going into half-time.
The visitors improved in the second half and scored a good try through scrum half Rafael Iriarte but any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Juan Manuel Alonso Dieguez powered over in the corner to give Peñarol the bonus point. Selknam captain Clemente Saavedra scored a consolation with the clock in the red but will know that his side has relinquished control of the battle for a semi-final spot.
Yacare travelled to São Paulo looking to strengthen their hold on a play-off position but were made to work for their 27-10 victory by a defiant Cobras side. The visitors started brightly and eventually wore down the hosts’ defence, allowing combative flanker Juan Cruz Perez Rachel to burrow over from close range. They weren’t able to take advantage of their field position as much as they would have liked and were repeatedly thwarted by a resolute Cobras defensive line for the rest of the half.
Whatever Yacare head coach Ricardo Augusto Le Fort said at the break had the desired effect as fly half Joaquin Lamas continued his recent good form by scything through the defence to extend his side’s lead after just two minutes of the second half. Fullback Ramiro Moyano Joya followed suit with a great solo effort of his own just minutes later as the Paraguayan side took complete control of the game. Cobras deserve credit for the way they responded and eventually scored a deserved try through captain Cleber Dias Da Silva Junior who led impeccably from the front. In spite of the comfortable win, Yacare will surely regret not securing a bonus point that could prove crucial come the end of the season.
Round Twelve sees table-topping Pampas host Selknam in Buenos Aires on Friday night before Cobras welcome American Raptors to Brazil in a game that will likely determine who finishes last at the end of the season. Finally, Yacare face Peñarol with both sides knowing that defeat could be fatal in their pursuit of a place in the semi-finals.
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