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Selknam delivered an impressive performance to claim a bonus point win over Los Cafeteros Pro. The 42-11 victory was by seven tries to one and all seven tries were converted by the Chilean team. The result moves Selknam to be two points behind the second placed Peñarol on the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) ladder.
Selknam scored three tries in either half. They were made to work for them, though made Los Cafeteros Pro work even harder for their try. The Colombians had a number of missed opportunities. Had they taken their chances then Los Cafeteros Pro ought to have come away with several additional tries.
The first points of the match went the way of Los Cafeteros Pro. Captain Gonzalo García landed a 6th minute penalty to open the scoring. Selknam responded swiftly. Winger Julio Blanc ran in a 9th minute score to give the Chileans the lead. They would remain in front for the duration.
A second García penalty reduced the deficit to one point. However, Selknam hit-back with an intercept try. Ignacio Albornoz latched on to a pass from his opposite Johan Ortíz and punished him by running from inside his 22. It was a double blow as Los Cafeteros Pro were gaining solid ground and were on their way to creating a try of their own.
The next points came on the stroke of half-time. Sustained pressure resulted in No8 Nicolás Garafulic breaking through to run over for a simple try. With it Selknam went into half-time with three tries. One more would secure them a bonus point.
The bonus point try came shortly after the interval. Outside center Domingo Saavedra continued his impressive form for Selknam. Having provided an assist try in the first half he scored Selknam’s fourth in the 43rd minute.
Selknam’s remaining tries were both scored by Alfonso Escobar. The flanker went over for a double in the final ten minutes. They both came after Cristian Rodallegas scored for Los Cafeteros Pro. It was a team effort that showed determination and was ultimately rewarded.
Both teams will play again on Friday. In round seven Selknam take on the Olímpia Lions while Los Cafeteros Pro will face competition leaders, Los Jaguares XV.
SCORING
CAFETEROS PRO – 11
Try: Rodallegas 67′
Penalties: García 2 (6′, 13′)
SELKNAM – 42
Tries: Blanc 9′, Albornoz 17′, N Garafulic 40′, D Saavedra 43′, Escobar 2 (71′, 80′)
Conversions: Videla 4 (10′, 18′, 40′, 44′), Albornoz 2 (71′, 80′)
TEAMS
CAFETEROS PRO
1 Javier Corvalán, 2 Agustín Acosta, 3 Diego Posada, 4 Lautaro Simes, 5 Danny Giraldo, 6 Diver Ceballos, 7 Felipe Puertas, 8 Gersón Ortíz, 9 Gonzalo García (capt.), 10 Johan Ortíz, 11 Alejandro Navarro, 12 Cristian Rodallegas, 13 Tomás García, 14 Jhon Arley Urrutia, 15 Andrés Álvarez
Replacements: 16 Jorge Álvarez, 17 Yani Pérez, 18 Brayhan Pérez, 19 Jhon Álvarez, 20 Sebastián Zapata, 21 Julián Navarro, 22 Álvaro Gamarra, 23 Juan David Herrera
SELKNAM
1 Javier Carrasco, 2 Tomás Dussaillant, 3 Matías Dittus, 4 Clemente Saavedra, 5 Santiago Pedrero, 6 Martín Sigren (capt.), 7 Alfonso Escobar, 8 Nicolás Garafulic, 9 Patricio Baronio, 10 Ignacio Albornoz, 11 Julio Blanc, 12 Santiago Videla, 13 Domingo Saavedra, 14 Franco Velarde, 15 Lucca Avelli
Replacements: 16 Raimundo Martínez, 17 Iñaki Gurruchaga, 18 Esteban Inostroza, 19 Tomás Orchid, 20 Bautista Stavile, 21 Lukas Carvallo, 22 José Larenas, 21 Matías Garafulic
Venue: Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo
Referee: Esteban Filipanics (Argentina)
