Jaguares clinch First Division crown

Argentina’s Jaguares were crowned Currie Cup First Division champions after beating the Down Touch Griffons 27-13 (halftime 17-6) in the final at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground in Potchefstroom on Friday evening.

The Jaguares were supreme throughout the group stage of the tournament winning all seven of their pool matches convincingly and went into the fixture against the Griffons as overwhelming favourites.

They lived up to their billing on Friday night as they scored three tries to one. They also gave very little away on defence.

They threw flames in the First Division. Well done Jaguares XV!
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— The Currie Cup (@TheCurrieCup) August 30, 2019

The Argentines slotted an early penalty through flyhalf Domingo Miotti. But by the 11th minute his opposite number Robbie Petzer levelled matters with a penalty of his own.

After some sustained pressure the Jaguares got their opening try when right wing Tomas Cubilla sprinted over after 20 minutes for Miotti to convert.

Another Petzer penalty in the 28th minute narrowed the gap to 10-6.

Then there was a moment of individual brilliance on the half hour from Jaguares fullback Facundo Cordero who started his run on the halfway line and stepped through the opposition before showing a clean pair of heels through to the tryline. Miotti was again on target from the kicking tee.

The first 20 minutes of the second half was keenly contested when none of the sides managed any points.

But on the hour, the Jaguares applied massive pressure in the scrum and they were eventually awarded an automatic seven points for a penalty try to make it 24-6.

The Griffons finally got their try as No 8 Cody Basson bundled his way over from a lineout drive in the 65th minute. Petzer converted to make it an 11-point game with 13 minutes remaining.

But Domingo stretched the lead again with his second penalty of the evening to close out the game and secure the silverware.

SCORERS

Jaguares: Tries: Tomas Cubilla, Facundo Cordero, Penalty Try; Conversions: Domingo Miotti (2); Penalties: Domingo Miotti (2)

Down Touch Griffons: Tries: Cody Basson; Conversions: Robbie Petzer; Penalties: Robbie Petzer (2)