Jaguares Down Sharks to Close in on Play-Off’s

Los Jaguares downed the Sharks today in Buenos Aires to close in on the play-off’s. The 29-13 victory was the sixth consecutive win from the Argentine franchise and was played in front of 19,213 supporters, the most in franchise history.

With an eye to the play-off’s today’s match was vital for Los Jaguares. The Sharks were a direct rival for Los Jaguares and now the Argentine side is much more comfortable as the team breaks now to turn to the June Internationals.

Los Jaguares’ win was by four tries to one. Scoring a hat-trick was Ramiro Moyano and the Tucumán flier also created the remaining try from the men in black.

Yet the match was a highly challenging one for Los Jaguares. The final score and try differential do not tell the entire story. The Sharks forced Mario Ledesma’s team to dig deep. With ten minutes remaining Los Jaguares were four points ahead. The Sharks had a try scoring opportunity only for Lwazi Mvovo to knock-on.

Los Jaguares finished off the job thereafter, underlining the difference in the Ledesma error to that from Raúl Pérez. The Argentine side played the full 80 minutes, withstanding pressure. This included a powerful Sharks scrum in a try scoring position.

The physicality of the Sharks was a hallmark of the match. Los Jaguares were beaten up front, requiring other areas of their game to score points and, ultimately, win the contest.

The nervous match had just the one scoring opportunity in the opening quarter. Los Jaguares claimed a 3-0 lead through a Nicolás Sánchez penalty.

It was followed by the opening try of the match. The first try saw Ramiro Moyano taking a basketball pass from Marcos Kremer. It was, however, a team effort with Kremer, Matiás Orlando and Gonzalo Bertranou all providing support for Emiliano Boffelli who broke from fullback to create the opportunity.

Try number two saw Los Jaguares punishing Sharks ill discipline. A quick-tap penalty from Sánchez saw an unmarked Moyano touching down in the left corner. With Sánchez’ conversion Los Jaguares were 17-0 ahead.

The lead was quickly cut by seven. The Sharks hit back through captain Ruan Botha. He latched onto smart play from the visitors who won an attacking line-put through Daniel du Preez. With Robert du Preez’ conversion over the deficit was cut to 10 points at half time.

In the second half two penalties to Robert du Preez made it a four point game. It would remain as such until the 71st minute. Following a turn-over Moyano broke from inside his own half. He attracted both Sharks defenders to pass to Bautista Delguy who scored.

Prior to the try the Sharks were down to 14 players. Botha had been red carded for shoulder charging Matías Orlando in the neck.

In the final minute Moyano would complete his hat-trick. From a maul replacement Martín Landajo ran left and passed to Moyano who darted past Sibusiso Nkosi to score. The try gave Los Jaguares a winning bonus point.

The win takes Los Jaguares to 34 competition points for the season. Only the Lions have more in the South Africa conference with 36. The Sharks are third with 28 points.

SCORING

JAGUARES 29
Try: Moyano (3), Delguy
Conversion: Sánchez (3)
Penalty: Sánchez

SHARKS 13
Try: Botha
Conversion: du Preez
Penalty: du Preez (2)
Red Card: Botha

JAGUARES
15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Tomás Lezana (capt.), 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustín Creevy, 1 Santiago García Botta

Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Javier Díaz, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 21 Martín Landajo, 22 Bautista Ezcurra, 23 Juan Cruz Mallía

SHARKS
15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha (capt.), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Stephan Lewies, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Makazole Mapimpi