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Matías Garafulic powered Selknam to victory over Los Cafeteros this evening. The Chilean winger scored an incredible four tries inside the opening three quarters. His success spoiled the franchise debut of Cafeteros Pro from Colombia who ultimately fell 35-12.
Selknam and Matías Garafulic stated very strongly. Smart work from inside center Santiago Videla produced the first try. The second minute score saw Selknam leading 5-0.
The second try also included sharp work from the backs. Using the width of the field to their advantage, Selknam’s backs stretched Los Cafeteros Pro. Matías Garafulic again was the scorer. He completed his hat-trick four minutes later. Unlike the first and second tries, the third was converted.
The 17-0 lead was deserved; however, Los Cafeteros Pro scored next. Argentine center Facundo Pueyrredón finished off an attacking raid for the visitors. Nicolás Roger added the conversion and with it the scores were 17-7 after 24 minutes.
Videla struck-back for Selknam. He landed a 27th minute penalty. It was the final scoring moment of the opening half. With it Selknam held a 20-7 half-time lead.
The second half scoring began like the first; Matías Garafulic scored. The winger completed his magnificent performance with an individual piece of magic. He kicked and chased, beating the defense to score. The conversion attempt was wide.
Los Cafeteros found themselves with a two man advantage. Selknam lost Matías Dittus and Clemente Saavedra for ten minutes each to yellow cards. Despite the advantage, Los Cafeteros Pro were unable to score points. There were opportunities, yet kickable points were turned down in favor of going for tries.
When the scoring did resume it was more points for Selknam. José Ignacio Larenas and Dittus crossed for back-to-back tries for the hosts. The result was secured.
With time running out, Los Cafeteros Pro ended on a high. Winger Jhon Arley Urrutia combined with Gonzalo García for a memorable try. The Colombian showed pace and determination to score. He did so after having received a clever pass from the Argentine scrum-half.
Both Selknam and Cafeteros Pro will play again on Sunday. Selknam will face the Olímpia Lions while Cafeteros will be up against Los Jaguares XV. Both matches will take place in Santiago.
SCORING
SELKNAM 35
Tries – M. Garafulic 4 (2′, 11′, 15′, 58′), J. Larenas (69′), M. Dittus (76′)
Cons – S. Videla (15′)
Pens – S. Videla (27′)
Yellow cards – M. Dittus (52′), C. Saavedra (52′)
CAFETEROS PRO 12
Tries – F. Pueyrredón (24′), J. Urrutia (79′)
Cons – N. Roger (24′)
TEAMS
SELKNAM
1 Javier Carrasco, 2 Raimundo Martínez, 3 Salvador Lues, 4 Santiago Portillo, 5 Clemente Saavedra, 6 Ignacio Silva (capt.), 7 Martín Sigren, 8 Nicolás Garafulic, 9 Patricio Baronio, 10 Ignacio Albornoz, 11 Lucca Avelli, 12 Santiago Videla, 13 Domingo Saavedra, 14 Matías Garafulic, 15 Rodrigo Fernández
Replacements: 16 Augusto Bohme, 17 Ramón Ayarza, 18 Matías Dittus, 19 Santiago Pedrero, 20 Alfonso Escobar, 21 Bautista Stavile, 22 José Ignacio Larenas, 23 Maximilano Filizzola
CAFETEROS PRO
1 Javier Corvalán, 2 Agustín Acosta, 3 Diego Posada, 4 Lautaro Simes, 5 Jhon Carlos Álvarez, 6 Aníbal Panceyra Garrido, 7 Felipe Puertas, 8 Gerson Ortíz, 9 Gonzalo García (capt.), 10 Nicolás Roger, 11 Alejandro Navarro, 12 Facundo Pueyrredón, 13 Tomás García, 14 Jhon Arley Urrutia, 15 Facundo Ferrario
Replacements: 16 Jorge Álvarez, 17 Yani Pérez, 18 Brayhan Pérez, 19 Ramiro Tallone, 20 Diver Ceballos, 21 Julián Navarro, 22 Andrés Álvarez, 23 Cristian Rodallegas
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Damián Schneider (Argentina)
