The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Argentina late show
Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias kicked a late penalty as Argentina gained revenge for last week’s Rugby championship defeat to South Africa by claiming a 26-24 home victory against the same opponents in Salta, Argentina.
The Pumas appeared to be letting another 10-point lead slip, like they did in the final 15 minutes to lose 30-23 in Nelspruit last week, but this time they made home advantage count courtesy of Gonzalez Iglesias’ 78th-minute threepointer. American athlete Matthew Wolak made a big impression on his Aberdeen road running debut with an emphatic victory in the Union Street mile on Saturday.
The research biologist, who comes from Virginia, clocked4min37sec tocome home seven seconds ahead of Aberdeen’sPaulHadden, while Neil McGregor (Metro Aberdeen) finished third in 4:54.
Wolak took an early lead as the runners set off from theMusic Hall and headed towardsHolburn Junction. Despite the best efforts of his challengers, he was always in control on the return to the finish line in front of the Town House.
It was an impressive performance from the Aberdeen University worker, who has been living in the north-east for three years but has never previously competed in any races.
He said: “I’ve just been running for fun but this was always a race I wanted to do, although I never previously got round to it.
“Even this year I was on the waiting list until Wednesdaybefore gettinga place after someone pulled out.
“I ran mainly 800metres and 1,500m when I was in high school and at college in US but this was my first real race for probably six or seven years. I really didn’t know what to expect.
“It was great and very exciting to win. I went out strong from the start and by the turnaround I had a bit of a lead. After that Iwas just trying to hold everyone off but I was worried all the way back down the street as I could hear a runner behind me.”
Wolak plans to return to action next weekend when he will step up in distance.
He said: “I’ve entered the Dandara 5km at Hazlehead, so that’s going to be a much longer run for me. I’m looking forward to seeing how that goes.”