A crisp autumn afternoon saw the decider of third and fourth in the Americas Rugby Championship between the United States of America and Uruguay. The rain was looming at Westhills Stadium in Langford, BC as Uruguay kicked off to the Americans.

The pressure of the Uruguayan scrum half Francisco Vecino proved too much after two unsuccessful defensive scrums for the Americans at the nine-minute mark. His swiftness resulted in a penalty by the US, 15 metres from the centre of their own posts and was easily kicked through by Uruguayan fullback Jeronimo Etcheverry for the first points of the game. 

Some quick thinking nineteen minutes into the half and even faster trailing forwards; Uruguayan prop Franco Lamanna led the South Americans into the opposing territory which forced another penalty in the centre of the pitch, 35 metres out, and was swiftly slotted by the Uruguayan fullback for a 6-0 lead.

Due to a crossover pass by the Uruguayans, the Americans had a chance for centre Gearoid McDonald to go for the posts, just outside of the 22-metre line on the left side of the pitch. On a well-kicked ball, the inside-centre gained the USA their first points; raising the score to 6-3 Uruguay.

The minutes were ticking down in the first half when US flanker Eric Duechle broke through the opposing backline.  With two bodies hanging off of him like anchors, he persevered and dropped into the try-zone. The conversion for the Americans first try of the tournament was narrowly missed, but gave them the lead for the first time in the game. It was 8-6 at the half.

The Americans tried to start the second half right with a penalty kick attempt at the posts by Gearoid McDonald, but the shot sailed wide.

Shortly after, a succession of Uruguayan scrums on the American 5-metre line was finally pushed into the try-zone and got a well sought after 5 points.  With a conversion, it tipped the scales back to the South American side with them leading 13-8.

Uruguay’s fullback attempted a powerful kick for points just inside the American half, but he narrowly missed to the right. 

The boots of the Uruguayan’s were not easily silenced when another attempt for the posts 40 metres out held true, and raised the score another 3 points. Uruguay led 16-8.

With time ticking away in the second-half, a 5-metre scrum outside of the American try-zone was thrown out wide to the eagerly awaiting Uruguayan fly-half, Alejo Duran, which gave the South American s