Without a doubt, the two best teams in the tournament collided. Both Pampas and Dogos First and second in the general table, with one match won by each in the regular tournament. Pampas was the most winning team throughout, since of its 13 games it had achieved 12 victories. He only lost fairly to Dogos XV on the fourth date of the first round by 18 to 14. But it was clear that he was forceful throughout the regular stage, because he added 80 tries and only received 36, with 524 points in favor and 230 against. In the semifinal he dispatched two-time champion Peñarol 50 to 27 to reach this final.
Dogos XV, for its part, had also done its part to finish second. They had eight wins, two draws and two losses in the regular season. He scored 55 tries and received 25, and in the semifinals, on the Tala court in Córdoba, he beat Yacaré XV 17-14 in overtime, after a tie of 14 points; in addition to being the only one who had been able to handle Pampas.
The grand finale
De la Vega Mendía’s kick off started the match. The first emotion came after 5 minutes through the left foot of Hernández from Mendoza so that Dogos XV took the lead 3 to 0. Pampas did not let himself be and went in search of the tie that after a good play came after an infraction so that, with a penalty, Joaquín de la Vega Mendía tied the match 3 to 3. And it was Dogos again, with the formula of the entire tournament, the line and maul, to reach the first try of the match supported by Bildosola and converted by Hernández to make it 10 to 3.
Pampas’s response again, and pillar Corvalán’s try converted by de la Vega Mendía to equalize again at 10 points, a match played with more nerves and mistakes than with skills and good play. A penalty from the Pampas flyhalf put Jua Leguizamón’s team ahead for the first time in the game; but an interception by Cabral, with a wonderful run towards the right flag, turned the score around again and Dogos took the lead 15 to 13. Thus, around half an hour into the first half, with an open game, without a defined owner, Pampas went looking for him again. With a pick and go very close to the visiting ingoal who defended as hard as he could, the home team decided on a new penalty, and De la Vega Mendía turned it around again (16-15).
From there until the end of the first half, and as in the entire game, the inaccuracies won over the put together plays. In summary, Pampas wanted more; but Dogos did not let him do it and even with one less he defended him well so that the match remained open, and as Dogos had proposed to know in the second part who was the champion of the tournament.
Dogos’ perfect second half
From the start, the entry of Juan Cruz Baronio, who replaced Hernández, made it clear that he would be important for his team. First with his left foot he once again left Dogos ahead 18 to 16. His kicks were infallible – except for one, he put everything in – and so in every mistake that Pampas made, his left foot greatly damaged Juan Leguizamón’s team. One after another, Dogos’ penalties increased the score to gain distance and make an eight-point difference (24-16), against a Pampas that could not react or give a foot with the ball.. At 20 minutes, Pampas tried to penetrate with the adverse result and could not. Dogos’ scrum made the difference, the nerves played against the local team and Dogos perfectly fulfilled the script that their coach Nicolás Galatro simply sought to defend and add to each infraction committed to win the tournament.
So, with 13 minutes left, again Juan Cruz Baronio widened the difference with two more penalties to make it 30 to 16. Pampas went to play all or nothing. Nogues came in and gave him depth, but he couldn’t reach him. After a great play by Piccardo, Gea Salim received the yellow card. Dogos finished with one less like in the first half and Pampas had to look for the try to bail out. Efrain Elías stole a key ball, and the Cordobans once again defended Pampas’ attempt, which he gave up. The match was decided for Galatro’s team, which with a penalty try closed the party with that icing on the cake and celebrated the title with 37 to 16. Pampas’ try and conversion before the final whistle only served to decorate the result. The righteous champion was already marked and it was Dogos XV. Tackle, defense, Scrum and Baronio’s left foot…
Salud Dogos XV, Salud Super Rugby Americas Champion.
