Pampas XV forwards lay platform for victory
The Pampas XV had their pack of forwards to thank as the eased to a 46-20 (half-time 15-20) win over the Border Bulldogs in their Vodacom Cup match at the BCM Stadium in East London on Friday.
The visitors eventually ran in six tries to two but they were made to work hard for their victory by a gallant Border outfit which made use of the dry conditions during the majority of the first half to take a half-time lead over the defending champions.
But the heavy rain which lashed down over the stadium played into the Pampas XV’s strengths as their powerful forwards overwhelmed the lighter Border pack while flyhalf Benjamin Madero contributed 16 points courtesy of five conversions and two penalties.
The hosts lead 20-15 at the break thanks to two converted tries from fullback Logan Basson and flank Gareth Krause while flyhalf Louis Kruger also kicked two penalties.
The Pampas XV kept themselves in the contest thanks to tries from centre Javier Rojas and lock Mariano Galarza.
But the visitors dominated the second half to such a degree that they kept Border scoreless while running in four more tries with flank Rodrigo Bruno scoring a wonderful try after he ran 65 metres untouched after taking a pass from scrumhalf Martin Landajo following a scrum just outside the Pampas XV’s 22-metre area.
The defeat was Border’s third on the trot while the Pampas XV will be relieved to claim a win after going down 34-30 to SWD in their previous match.
BORDER BULLDOGS – Tries: Logan Basson, Gareth Krause; Conversions: Louis Kruger (2); Penalties: Kruger (2).
PAMPAS XV – Tries: Javier Rojas, Mariano Galarza, Manuel Montero, Bruno Postiglioni, Rodrigo Bruno, Gabriel Ascarate; Conversions: Benjamin Madero (5), Penalties: Madero (2).
