Uruguay’s Premier Division Grand Final was played earlier today in Montevideo with the historic Old Christians Club being crowned national champions by beating Old Boys 30-9. The title ended an eight year drought for the Montevideo club and was a 17th overall national title.
Having earned a reputation in recent years as being Uruguay’s Clermont Auvergne Old Christians Club celebrated a comprehensive Grand Final victory. The final score, though, was not a true reflection of the performance of Old Boys who proved to be solid opposition for much of the contest.
Old Christians scored all three tries of the final with Andrés García, Joaquín Pena and Rodrigo Bocking all crossing while Andrés De León added the extras.
The Club hit the global headlines in 1972 when flight 571 crash-landed in the Andes mountains. Known as the Miracle of the Andes 16 of the 45 on board survived following the heroics of Old Christians’ players Roberto Canessa and Nando Parrado who, after 61 days, trekked down to Chile and returned 9 days later with a rescue party.