It was a great week for Costa Rican rugby as the national team won the Campeonato Sudamericano Mayor C (South American C Championship) on home soil in front of a host of dignitaries.
Costa Rican First Lady Mercedes Peña Domingo showed her enthusiasm for the game she learnt as a young girl at home in Spain, as the four-team tournament was played at her daughter’s school. Also, the attendance of Sports Minister Carolina Mauri bodes well for the future of the game in this Central American country.
Calculators had to be brought out after the end of the final round as Costa Rica and reigning champions Guatemala drew 8-8 in a hard-fought game in which both teams scored a try and a penalty. It was thanks to their better points differential that Los Ticos claimed the trophy.
In the first of three rounds played entirely at the Liceo Franco Costarricense in San José de Costa Rica, the home side beat Panama by a staggering 91-5, with defending champions Guatemala also posting a big win against Nicaragua, 57-9.
In the build-up to the second round, 200 schoolchildren took part in a Get Into Rugby activity at the school where the games were played, following which they enjoyed another good win by their national team, this time 58-7 against Nicaragua. Soon after, Guatemala also ran in try after try against Panamá for a 65-5 win.
HISTORIC WEEK FOR NICARAGUAN RUGBY
Saturday’s play included Nicaragua’s first international win in an enjoyable bronze medal match against Panama. Nicaragua raced into a 31-0 before their more established opponents mounted a comeback. However, there was to be no denying Los Tiburones who eventually won 46-36.
In the eagerly-awaited final, where both sets of horn-blowing supporters produced a magnificent atmosphere, Guatamala scored the only points of a tight first half to lead 3-0 at the break.
"Es la segunda vez que ganamos este torneo en lo que fuer una final muy dura. Felicito a Guatemala por la forma en que han crecido en su juego."
Shortly after having had a try disallowed, the Guayras scored the game’s opening try in the 51st minute after a tapped penalty caught Costa Rica’s defence off guard.
Costa Rica finally got on the board in the 58th minute after slotting a penalty before, after a five-phase move, they levelled the scores seven minutes from time with an unconverted try.
Guatamala had a late chance to snatch victory and complete a hat-trick of title wins after being awarded a last-minute penalty but the kick, from 45 metres out, sailed past the left-hand upright. Still, the game was not over, as a Los Ticos player knocked on in the in-goal area, giving their opponents one final opportunity. The ensuing scrum generated a great attacking platform, but the home defence stood firm and held out for a draw, which felt like a win.
“It is the second time we’ve won this tournament in what was a very tough final. I have to congratulate Guatemala for the way they have grown their game. Our two big wins in the previous rounds helped us to win the Championship,” said Nicolás Broggi, the happy winning captain.
“Rugby in Costa Rica, and in Central America, is growing and we must get the younger generations involved,” he added, while announcing his retirement from international rugby.
With a revamped competition structure set to be unveiled by Sudamérica Rugby it is not yet clear where Costa Rica, as South American C champions, will play their rugby next season.