Ceibos start SLAR with dominant win over Olímpia Lions

Ceibos started their Súper Americana Liga de Rugby (SLAR) account with a dominant 48-8 win over the Olímpia Lions. The result of the Argentine vs Paraguayan professional match sees the Córdoba-based side top of the SLAR table after the opening round of the inaugural competition.

The Córdoba side played the better rugby and got the win done through determination. Lucas Mensa captained well and forwards Franco Molina, Rodrigo Fernández Criado, Santiago Ruiz and Santiago Montagner all provided excellent work rates.

The win was by five tries to one. Two tries came in the first half, the initial one going to the inaugural Ceibos signing Tomás Cubilla. The outside center provided support for what was an impressive team try wherein the ball went through the hands and support runners were ready when required.

The 12th minute score by Cubilla was followed by a 21st minute try to Juan Bautista Daireaux. The fly half come fullback fooled the defense with a  dummy pass before stepping infield to touch down. The unconverted try face Los Ceibos a 12-0 lead to start the second quarter.

No further tries would come until the 70th minute. Yet, Mensa opted for penalty shots at goal during the period in between. Martín Elías landed four and replacement, Tomás Albornoz one more. The Olímpia Lions also landed one with Máximo Ledesma scoring the first points in the franchise history.

Three late tries to Ceibos saw the Argentine side claiming the bonus point win. The Olímpia Lions would score one of their own with Manuel Montero pouncing on an error from kick-off.

Both teams will play again in round two. Ceibos travel to Chile to face Selknam at the National Stadium in Santiago. The Olímpia Lions will be at home in Asunción against Corinthians. The Brazilians side will make their SLAR debut.

 

SCORING

CEIBOS 48
Tries – T. Cubilla (13’), J. Daireaux (21’), L. Oviedo (66’), Penalty try (76’), I. Inchauspe (77’)
Cons – M. Elías 1/2 (14’), T. Albornoz 2/2 (67’, 78’)
Pens – M. Elías 4/4 (26’, 32’, 37’, 51’), T. Albornoz 1/1 (55’)
Drop goals – G. García 0/1

OLÍMPIA 8
Tries – M. Montero (68’)
Cons – D. Stevens 0/1
Pens – M. Ledesma 1/2 (29’)
Yellow cards – N. Proto (31’), F. Pomponio (49’), F. Maina (73’)

 

TEAMS

CEIBOS
1 Federico Wegrzyn (17 Rodrigo Martínez 62’), 2 José Luis González (16 Leonel Oviedo 52’), 3 Juan Pablo Zeiss (18 Francisco Minervino 60’), 4 Franco Molina, 5 Rodrigo Fernández Criado (19 Santiago Portillo 57’), 6 Lautaro Bavaro, 7 Santiago Ruiz (20 Conrado Roura 57’), 8 Santiago Montagner, 9 Gonzalo García (21 Ignacio Inchauspe 62’), 10 Martín Elías (22 Tomás Albornoz 52’), 11 Facundo Cordero, 12 Lucas Mensa (capt.), 13 Tomás Cubilla, 14 Martín Cancelliere (23 Facundo Ferrario 56’), 15 Juan Bautista Daireaux

*19 Santiago Portillo left the field at 73 mins with no replacements available

OLÍMPIA LIONS
1 Liam Hendricks (17 Facundo Maina 61’), 2 Axel Zapata (16 Juan Ávila 52’), 3 Facundo Pomponio (18 Enrique Quinteros 67’), 4 Federico Gutiérrez, 5 Brandon Valentyn, 6 Max Katjijeko, 7 Enzo Ocampo (19 Matt Matich 27’), 8 Nicolás Proto (17 Facundo Maina 53’-59’) (1 Liam Hendricks 73’), 9 Facundo Munilla (21 Damian Stevens 49’), 10 Máximo Ledesma (22 Renato Cardona 64’), 11 Manuel Montero, 12 Gabriel Ascárate (capt.), 13 Santiago Resino (23 Sebastián Urbieta 45’), 14 Napolioni Nalaga, 15 Grant Hermanus

Not used: 20 Ariel Núñez

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Felipe Balbontín (Chile)

 

Attendance: 6,000