By JOE SANTAMARIA
Round Four of the Super Rugby Americas season began with a tantalising all-Argentinian clash on Friday night, as Dogos condemned Pampas to their first defeat of the season.
Pampas stormed into an early lead after in-form winger, Santiago Pernas scored an excellent try after just five minutes. Pampas quickly doubled their lead after fullback Marcos Eliçagaray weaved his way through a crowd of bodies to score. Dogos fought back with a penalty try and a powerful finish from replacement Tomas Bartolini in a period where both teams were reduced to thirteen men. Remarkably, the second half remained scoreless despite Pampas missing some golden opportunities to retake the lead, as Dogos ground out an 18-14 victory that put them firmly in control of the tournament after four matches.
Selknam played host to the best game of the weekend as they fell to a late defeat to defending champions Peñarol. The visitors held a slender 7-6 at the break after talismanic hooker Joaquin Myszka Macé finished off a well-orchestrated attack from a lineout to cancel out two earlier Selknam penalties. The match exploded into life early in the second half when Uruguayan center Juan Andres Zuccarino danced through the Selknam defence to put Peñarol firmly in control. Just as it looked as though the game was slipping away from Selknam, they mounted a late surge, scoring two powerful tries to snatch the lead with three minutes to play. With the clock in the red, Peñarol showed why they are champions, remaining composed as Joaquin Myszka Macé scored his second try of the game to give his team a narrow 25-23 victory.
Paraguayan side, Yacare, bucked the weekend's trend for close matches with a dominant 51-7 victory over Cobras. In a brilliant display of attacking rugby, the hosts were able to secure the bonus point before halftime, with center Ramiro Luis Amarilla particularly impressive. The Brazilian side were rewarded for their endeavours with a consolation try after 70 minutes but it will have done little to raise their spirits. The hosts are averaging 37 points per game and leapfrogged Pampas to end the weekend in second place. Conversely, Cobras' opening-round victory over Peñarol must feel like a distant memory after three consecutive defeats.
Round Five sees Peñarol host Yacare in Montevideo on Friday night in what promises to be an explosive encounter. Selknam host Pampas on Saturday with both teams looking to return to winning form before the weekend concludes with American Raptors looking for their first victory of the season when they welcome Cobras to Colorado.
