Kings salvage draw against Pampas

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Johannesburg – The Pampas team from Argentina were unable to hold on to their lead as Wesley Dunlop slotted a last-minute penalty to salvage a 20-20 draw for the EP Kings in their Vodacom Cup clash in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

The Pampas thought they had secured the four points for victory when Manuel Montero went over for a try in the 74th minute, although flyhalf Benjamin Madero missed the conversion, with the visitors leading 20-17 with just five minutes to go.

But poor discipline from the Pampas allowed the Kings to have the last word and grab a share of the spoils.

Dunlop kicked four penalties in the match, as he and Madero traded punches with the boot.

Madero opened the scoring in the first minute with a penalty, but Dunlop struck back three minutes later with a penalty of his own.

Kings fullback Siviwe Soyizwapi linked up wonderfully to go over the line in the 14th minute, with Dunlop missing the conversion.

Madero, however, struck two more penalties in the 17th and 20th minutes to give the visitors the lead.

The Kings came back in a tightly contested first half with two Dunlop penalties, to go into the break 14-9 up.

The first 20 minutes of the second half resembled two heavyweight boxers sparring with each other as they sought weaknesses in defence, but the Kings were awarded a penalty on the halfway line in the 59th minute, which centre Scott van Breda slotted over with ease to extend the hosts' advantage to eight points.

Madero brought the Pampas within two points with two penalties in the 66th and 70th minutes before Montero went over for the try which seemed to have knocked the stuffing out of the hosts.

The Kings went in search of a breakthrough which would give them the win, and Dunlop slotted a penalty at the sound of the hooter to save a draw for the home side.

SCORERS

EP Kings: Try: Siviwe Soyizwapi. Penalties: Wesley Dunlop (4), Scott van Breda.

Pampas: Try: Manuel Montero. Penalties: Benjamin Madero (5). – Sapa