Pampas stretch unbeaten run

Stellenbosch - The Pampas remained unbeaten in the Vodacom Cup campaign as they beat the Border Bulldogs 45-26 (half-time 24-9) here on Saturday.

The Bulldogs, who remained without a win in the competition, remained bottom of the south section log, while the Pampas moved second after claiming a convincing win and picking up a bonus point.

The Pampas scored five tries in the first half to take control as Jeronimo de la Fuente went over the line twice while Benjamin Madero slotted over two conversions.

The scoring was opened in the first minute with De la Fuente getting over the line, but the conversion was missed.

Border were awarded a penalty in the fourth minute, converted by Karlo Aspeling, but the Pampas got over the line just five minutes later with Matias Massero scoring and Madero converting the try.

Two penalties in the 13th and 21st minute provided some solace for the Bulldogs, but their defence struggled against the rampant Pampas who crossed the line again in the 25th minute, with De la Fuente bagging his second try and Madero kicking over the poles to stretch the lead.

Benjamin Macome scored before the break, and though the conversion was missed, the Pampas were by far the more dominant team.

The rout was carried into the second half, and while the Bulldogs found some impetus which saw them cross the line three times, through captain Quinton Crocker, Juan Pretorius and Johannes Seerane, the failure to convert those tries cost the Bulldogs.

A penalty try in the 58th minute rubbed salt into the Bulldogs’ wounds and even though Crocker and Pretorius managed to cross the line for Border, just one conversion pushed their backs further up against the wall.

Border managed a late try with 12 minutes remaining and the conversion was missed yet again, summing up the match for the bottom-of-the-log side as the Pampas claimed an easy win.

Scorers:

Pampas:

Tries: Jeronimo de la Fuente (2), Matias Massero, Benjamin Macom, Santiago Cordero, Cesar Fruttero, Penalty Try.

Conversions: Benjamin Madero (4), Santiago Gonzales Iglesias

Border:

Tries: Quinton Crocker, Juan Pretorius, Johannes Seerane

Conversions: Karlo Aspeling

Penalties: Karlo Aspelling (3)

Vodacom Cup results this weekend:

Saturday:

Pampas  45-26  Border Bulldogs
Boland Cavaliers 12-44 South Western Districts
Sharks XV 34-33 Free State XV
Limpopo 5-124 Griquas
Pumas 64-7 Griffons
Golden Lions 26-54 Blue Bulls

Friday: