Venezuela Make it Two from Two in RWC Qualifiers

Venezuela made it two from two in RWC Qualifiers this afternoon, defeating Ecuador 52-10. The win sets up a winner-takes-all fixture against Colombia this coming Saturday.

In a game featuring nine tries Venezuela scored seven of them. The first of which came after just four minutes. Second-rower Luis Lopez went over for the first of four scores in the opening quarter. Nestór Aguirre and José Rojas both scored while Venezuela also gone a penalty try.

Additional tries from Roberto Schaefer and Eduardo Hernández saw Veneuzela score 32 first half points. A late try from Ecuador flanker Danny Vera ended the opening half.

Four further tries were scored by the Northern South Americans. Left winger Rene Monasterios scored the first of these, crossing in the 47th minute. After 18 minutes of no scoring Juan Lopez went over.

Ecuador hit back three minutes later with Juan Pretel. The well taken score was followed by two late Venezuelan scores. Firstly Nestór Aguirre crossed for his second and Alfmarx Marquez completed the scoring three minutes from full time.

Both countries will play their third, and final matches on Saturday. Venezuela will face Colombia in the South American B Championship Final. Ecuador will take-on Peru in the battle for third position.

A win over Colombia would see Venezuela advance to face Mexico in the next round of Rugby World Cup qualification. The winner will then face Paraguay in the following round.

SCORERS
Venezuela
Try: Luis Lopez, Aguirre (2), Rojas, Penalty Try, Schaefer, Hernández, Monasterios, Juan Lopez
Conversion: Schaefer (1)

Ecuador
Try: Vera, Pretel

Venezuela
1 José Gutierrez (capt.), 2 Eduardo Hernández, 3 Robert Torres, 4 Juan Lopez, 5 Luis Lopez, 6 Carlos Cañizález, 7 Ulises Andara, 8 Luis Zandra, 9 Ramón Ruiz, 10 Roberto Schaefer, 11 Rene Monasterios, 12 Alfmarx Marquez, 13 Wickinson Arrieta, 14 José Rojas, 15 Nestór Aguirre

Replacements: 16 Rannel Barrios, 17 Luis Zabala, 18 Lisandro Espinoza, 19 Ajorubal Figueroa, 20 Yender Marrupo, 21 Daniel Duran, 22 José Dija, 23 Jamir Abache

Head Coach: Marion Ordaneta

Ecuador
1 Troya Rojas, 2 Alberto Vallarino, 3 Vicente Centeno, 4 Luis Hindatroza, 5 Jonathan Auria (capt.), 6 Luis Cordero, 7 Danny Vera, 8 Juan Cabrera, 9 Fausto Bastantes, 10 Kevin Anguilla, 11 Juan Pretel, 12 Jorge Civinta, 13 Edwin Lastra, 14 Leonardo Cabrera, 15 Kevin Liguileta

Replacements: 16 Andrés Sotumayor, 17 Juan Salazar, 18 Juan Suarez, 19 Omar Martínez, 20 Jael Mora, 21 Jaime Perelli, 22 David Vasquez, 23 Xavier Alban

Head Coach: Shawn Berry