Silverstorm El Salvador put the boot in at La Vila
LA VILA rugby club first team gave a spirited performance against league leaders SilverStorm El Salvador at El Pantano last Saturday.
After putting up a good fight and a late flourish, the game, which boasted 12 tries, finished La Vila 34 SilverStorm El Salvador 42.
When they took the pitch, both teams were well aware of what was at stake in the ensuing 80 minutes, with the Castilla y León side wanting to maintain their lead at the top of the table, and La Vila fighting to stay in the top flight of Spanish rugby.
The match started well for the home team when they took the lead through a Boggero try in the 16th minute. The subsequent missed conversion was to become a theme for La Vila throughout the match.
Despite taking this early lead, the visitors imposed themselves on the game and went in at half time 5-14 to the good.
A three try first half was replaced with a ‘frenetic’ second 40 minutes which saw SilverStorm El Salvador stretch their lead to 17-35 in the 65th minute. But with 15 minutes left on the clock the game still had four tries left in it – three for La Vila (68, 80 and 80+4 minutes), one of which was converted, and one for the visitors.
The aforementioned missed conversions were the deciding factor in the overall result, as both teams got over the try line six times - but with the home team converting just two and the visitors not missing one from the boot, the eight point difference tells the tale of two teams at opposite ends of the table.
With no points coming from penalties during the entire game, La Vila proved that with sheer grit and determination they had what it takes in open play, it was just the kicking that came up short.
It must be noted however that SilverStorm El Salvador’s Sam Katz’ one try and 100%, six out of six, kicking record on the day was the difference between a great day at the office and missing the last bus home.
La Vila’s next match is away on April 24 against Les Abelles from Valencia. Not only is this a Valencian derby but a must win for the team from Villajoyosa.