Mexico downed Guyana this afternoon to finish 3rd in the Americas Rugby Challenge. Played in Medellín, the tournament was won by the hosts who made history by defeating Paraguay earlier in the day.
Las Serpientes of Mexico defeated Guyana 48-36, doing so after having dominated the opening half to hold a 31-12 half time lead. The win was officially an upset as Guyana entered the match ranked 11th in the Americas Rankings, one place higher than Mexico.
Both teams were playing their third match of the Americas Rugby Challenge. The competition began last Sunday with Mexico facing Paraguay and Guyana facing Colombia. Both Paraguay and Colombia had opening day victories.
The second match day took place on Wednesday. Mexico faced Colombia while Guyana took on Paraguay. In both matches Mexico and Guyana saw off their opposition by recording large winning margins.
Results on the final day of the Americas Rugby Challenge confirmed Colombia as champions, Paraguay as runners-up and Mexico as the third-placed finisher. They achieved 3, 2, and 1 wins respectively in the competition. Guyana finished winless though the Green Machine played their best rugby of the campaign in the second half against Mexico.
SCORING
MEXICO 48
Tries – M. Nievas (6’), C. Fernández (9’), Penalty try (13’), R. Ripoll (21’), M. Moreno (31’), S. Pierre (53’), F. Guerrero (60’)
Cons – F. Guerrero 4/6 (22’, 32’, 54’, 61’)
Pens – F. Guerrero 1/1 (50’)
GUYANA 36
Tries – C. Prowell 2 (24’, 77’), J. Angus (39’), L. Adonis (45’), R. Staglon (47’), C. Butts (78’)
Cons – R. Gonsalves 2/4 (40’, 48’), D. de Abreu 1/2 (79’)
Pens – R. Gonsalves 0/1
Yellow cards – K. David (19’)
TEAMS
MEXICO
1 Esteban Viñas (16 Adolfo Acevedo 69’), 2 Mizael Loredo (17 Jorge Cortés 63’), 3 Maximiliano Douek (capt.) (1 Esteban Viñas 79’), 4 Abubacar Conde (20 Jesús Mayorquin 69’), 5 Tomas Allen (18 Alan Gutierrez HT), 6 Erik Castillo, 7 Manuel Nievas (19 Roger Bruguera 45’), 8 Simon Pierre, 9 Mauricio Moreno (22 José Peña 69’), 10 Carlos Fernández, 11 Angel López (23 Luc Martin HT), 12 Juan Pablo Martínez, 13 Diego Hidalgo (21 Luis Rosete 63’), 14 Franco Guerrero, 15 Rodrigo Ripoll
GUYANA
1 Jason Tyrell, 2 Ahmad Isaacs (16 Allain Crawford 57’), 3 Rondel McArthur (17 Cyon Kitt 63’), 4 Kevon David (18 Walter George 73’), 5 Vallon Adams, 6 Richard Staglon, 7 Toby David (20 Jamal Angus 63’), 8 Cloyd Prowell, 9 Ryan Gonsalves (capt.) (23 Daniel De Abreu 73’), 10 Lancelot Adonis, 11 Selwin Henry (21 Sean Phillips 63’), 12 Godfrey Broomes (22 Claudius Butts 13’), 13 Peabo Hamilton, 14 Oneil Charles, 15 Joseph Rahaman (19 Grantley Williams 13’)