Uruguay beats US to hand Argentina Americas title

WASHINGTON: Agustin Ormaechea scored on five penalty kicks and converted two tries to give Uruguay a 29-25 home victory Saturday over the United States that ensured Argentina captured the inaugural Americas Rugby Championship.

The round-robin competition’s final set of matches was played Saturday in South America with Canada routing host Chile 64-13 and Argentina ripping host Brazil 42-7 thanks in part to a hat trick of tries by Juan Pablo Estelles.

Argentina, 4- 0 with a draw and 22 total points with a lineup of Puma reserves, had an insurmountable lead before its fi nal match with its nearest rivals – the US Eagles, Uruguay and Canada – having come up short after an extra match.

The Americans finished 2-2 with one draw, that against Argentina in their fi rst match, and 15 total points to take second in the overall standings. Uruguay was 3-2 on 14 total points for fourth.

Canada moved into third with a bonus point for producing nine tries in ripping Chile to finish third on 15 points with a 3- 2 record, but the Americans enjoyed a superior scoring margin, plus67 to plus- 53.

Ormaechea put the hosts in front with a penalty kick in the third minute but Aladdin Schirmer’s try in the 14th minute lifted the Eagles ahead. James Bird and Ormaechea each added two penalty kicks before half-time to see the United States lead 13- 9 at the break.

Chad London’s try six minutes into the second half gave the Eagles a 20- 9 lead but Mario Sagario answered with a Uruguay try in the 49th minute and Ormaechea’s kicks in the 62nd and 67th minutes put the hosts back in front 22-20.

Deion Mikesell put the visitors on top 25- 22 with a try in the 73rd minute but the conversion was missed and Uruguay used a maul to get over the line in the 78th minute for the deciding try, Ormaechea’s conversion stretching the fi nal margin.

Parfrey Patrick and Nick Blevins each scored two tries for Canada, which rolled to a 43-13 half-time lead and cruised from there. — AFP