The Argentina Jaguars beat Canada in an action packed final to secure the Churchill Plate at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in front of nearly 4,000 fans.

Both sides had reason to be pleased as the Jaguars won a trophy and Canada achieved their highest finish since the start of the tournament seven years ago.
Canada got off to the best possible start with a penalty on 2 minutes through James Pritchard, but the euphoria did not last long as the Jaguars looked sharp with ball in hand and they took the lead on 5 mins with a try by hooker Agustin Creevy converted by Benjamin Urdapilleta. This was followed up on 13 and 18 minutes with further tries to Francisco Merello and Benjamin Urdapill, with both being converted the score moved out to 3-21. If the Jaguars thought the match was theirs the Canucks had other ideas and Matt Evans closed the gap with scores on 21 and 29 minutes 15-21. As the half closed out a fracas involving Jebb Sinclair and Pedro Ledesma saw them both into the bin for 10 minutes and we closed with the half time score of 15-21.

The second period and the Jaguars were soon back on the score sheet as Thomas De Vedia scored on 48 minutes,15-28. On 51 minutes Adam Kleeberger who had just come on went from the field for 10 minutes and probably scuppered any chance of Canada taking the game. The Jaguars kicking the resulting penalty ands then scoring on 53 minutes through Leonardo Senatore, 15-38. A penalty on 61 and 69 minutes took the Jaguars to 44 points and this was interspersed with a powerful surge from trhe Canadians and smart score by Dth Van Der Merwe moving the score to 22-44. The final score of the match went to Canada as on 70 minutes Van Der Merwe dotted down under the posts, turned and fired a drop conversion looking to pressure the Jaguars, but that was the last score and the Jaguars ran out worthy winner with the final score of:

Canada 29 Argentina Jaguars 44

Scorers

Canada
Tries: Matt Evans (2), DTH van der Merwe (2)
Conversions: James Pritchard, Ander Monro, DTH van der Merwe
Penalty: James Pritchard
Argentina
Tries: Agustín Creevy, Francisco José Merello, Benjamín Urdapilleta, Tomás De Vedia, Leonardo Senatore,
Conversions: Benjamín Urdapilleta (5)
Penalties: Benjamín Urdapilleta (3)

Teams

Canada
1 Frank Walsh (Vandals RFC/St. John’s, NFLD)
2 Mike Pletch (Velox Valhallians/London,ON)
3 Dan Pletch (Niagara Thunder/London, ON)
4 Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers/Frederiction, NB)
5 Tyler Hotson (UBC Old Boy Ravens/Vancouver, BC)
6 Stan McKeen (Oxford University/Vancouver, BC)
7 Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers/Saskatoon, SK)
8 Aaron Carpenter (capt, Brantford Harlequins/Coventry/Brantford, ON)
9 Ed Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates/Victoria, BC)
10 Ander Monro (Colorno, Italy)
11 Matt Evans (Hartpury College/Cowichan, BC)
12 Bryn Keys (Moseley RFC/Abbotsford, BC)
13 DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK)
14 Sean Duke (University of Victoria/Vancouver, BC)
15 James Pritchard (Bedford Blues)

Replacements
16 Pat Riordan (University of Victoria/Burnaby, BC) for Mike Pletch 47 mins
17 Doug Wooldridge (Cowichan RFC/Lindsay, ON) for Dan Pletch 58 mins
18 Stuart Ault (Moseley RFC/Perth, ON)
19 Chauncey O’Toole (Castaway Wanderers/Belleisle, NB) for McKeen 62 mins
20 Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria/White Rock, BC) for Dala 47 mins
21 Dean Van Camp (Velox Valhallians/Port Perry, ON) for Pritchard 56 mins
22 Phil Mack (James Bay AA/Victoria, BC) for Fairhurst 59 mins
Yellow Cards: Jebb Sinclair (40 – 50 mins), Adam Kleeberger (51 – 61 mins)

Argentina Jaguars
1. Juan Figallo (Jockey Club)
2. Agustín Creevy (capt, San Luis)
3. Pedro Arocena Ledesma (Stade Francais)
4. Mariano Sambucetti (Bristol)
5. Carlos José Cáceres (Tucumán Lawn Tennis)
6. Alejandro Tomás Campos (Pueyrredón)
7. Leonardo Senatore (G.E.R.) off for front row sub on yellow card 40:25
8. Tomás Leonardi (S.I.C.)
9. Martin Landajo (C.A.S.I.)
10. Ignacio Mieres (Perpignan)
11. Tomás De Vedia (London Irish)
12. Benjamín Urdapilleta (C.U.B.A.)
13. Matías Viazzo (Bourgoin)
14. Francisco José Merello (Regatas de Bella Vista)
15. Lucas Bernado Barrera Oro (Universitario)
Replacements
16. Mauricio Rául Guidone (La Plata R.C.) for Creevy 59 mins
17. Juan Francisco Gomez (Leeds) on for 3 on YC – 40 mins
18. Tomás Roan (La Plata R.C.)
19. Agustín Guzman (Tucumán R.C.) for Senatore 66 mins
20. Francisco Cubelli (Belgrano Athletic) for Landajo 66 mins
21. Horacio Alberto San Martin (Tala R.C.) for Mieres 62 mins
22. Belisario Agulla (Hindu) for Merello 62 mins

Referee Peter Fitzgibbon