Colombia Down Venezuela to Win South American B Championship

Colombia downed Venezuela to win the South American B Championship. Played on Saturday in Medellín, Los Tucanes won 53-15 thanks to a superb second half performance.

Venezuela went to Antioquia to play. Early pressure from Venezuela saw the visitors scoring the game’s opening try. Kelving Cordero raced over in the 2nd minute. It was unconverted and would be the only time in which Venezuela led during the match.

Los Tucanes opened their account through Brayan Campiño. The winger finished off a blitz from the backs to score near the right touchline. Center José Diosa added the conversion.

Diosa was impressive from the kicking-tee against Peru but was unable to land his second attempt against Venezuela. His second opportunity came following a break from flanker Gerson Ortiz. The break saw center Cebastián Zurique crossing for Colombia’s second try.

A third opportunity would be taken by Diosa. This time he successfully converted his own try. With it Colombia led 19-12. It came on the back of Venezuela’s second, and final, try, of the match. Venezuela managed to close the gap, landing a penalty to make it 19-15 at half time.

Although it had been a low-scoring, competitive first half the second half was vastly different. Colombia were in form control, leaving Venezuela with little more to do than tackling.

Tucanes skipper Sebastián Mejía had a tremendous performance. Leading from the front the No 8 scored Colombia’s opening try of the second half. Five more would follow, the last of which saw score by fullback Andrés Álvarez.

With the win Colombia were crowned South American B Championship winners. The title has been Colombia’s in recent years following a rapid rise to surpass both Peru and Venezuela. In 2018 Los Tucanes join the rebranded Sudamérica 6 Naciones A. It is to also include Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and the Argentina XV.

Venezuela’s international activities under the new structure are to be in the Sudamérica 4 Naciones B. This is to see la Maquina Vinotinto playing against Costa Rica, Guatemala and Peru. Ecuador’s potential return will be in the Sudamérica 4 Naciones C.

 

SCORERS

COLOMBIA
Try: Garcia (2), Zurique, Diosa, Seb. Mejia, Rodallegas, San. Mejía, Alvarez, Machado
Conversion: Diosa (4)

VENEZUELA
Try: Cordero, Barrios
Conversion: Marin
Penalty: Marin

COLOMBIA
1 Mauricio Espinal, 2 Diego Posada, 3 Andres Arango, 4 Jhon Alvarez, 5 Santiago Mejía, 6 Camilo Cadavid, 7 Gerson Ortiz, 8 Sebastian Mejia (Capt.), 9 Julian Navarro, 10 Emmanuel Bedoya, 11 Brayan Campino, 12 Jose Diosa, 13 Cebastían Zurique, 14 Enrique Garcia, 15 Andres Alvarez

Replacements: Johan Larrota, Jaider Esteban Pemberthy, Hector Navarro, Andrés Quintero, Alejandro Vanegas, Juan Esteban Marín Serna, Cristian Rodallegas, Maicol Machado

Head Coach: David Jaramillo

VENEZUELA
1 Lisandro Espinoza, 2 Eduardo Hernández, 3 Robert Torres, 4 Luis Lopez, 5 Xavier Pirela, 6 Jose Gutierrez (Capt.), 7 Carlos Cañizales, 8 Pedro Reañez, 9 Daniel Duran, 10 Roberto Schaefer, 11 Edwin Marin, 12 Luis Romero, 13 Wilkinson Arrieta, 14 Kelving Cordero, 15 José Rojas

Replacements: Alberto Araujo, Ali Ayoub, Rannel Barrios, Jesus Cañizalez, Gerardo Díaz y Luis Martinez.

Unused replacements: Miguel Salcedo, Luis Zabala

Head Coach: Mario Urdaneta

Venue: Estadio “Nando” Álvarez, Guarne, Colombia
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Juan Pablo Federico (Argentina)
Assistants: Luís Santa (Colombia) and Yheyson López (Colombia)