Rugby league was the winner when Peru and Uruguay clashed in an international match at Waminda Oval on Sunday.
Normally the home of East Campbelltown Eagles, this time a sea of sky blue and red covered every vantage point of Waminda Oval as a big crowd gathered to support the two minnows of rugby league.
“We would like to thank all the Uraguay and Peruvian supporters for attending; they made a great atmosphere,’’ said Eagles president Daniel Draper, who helped facilitate the match.
Mr Draper said he was pleased that recent work had improved the venue in time for such a big game.
“The club want to thank the Mayor of Campbelltown George Brticivitch and local MP Greg Warren for their support of the work around Waminda Oval so we can give our community games like this,’’ he said.
“It was a tremendous day for our area.”
As for the game, this one had everything, including a fiery brawl that resulted in two players sent off and three sin-binned.
The two nations have had a history of willing contests in 9-a-side league, but this was their first chance to go head-to-head in the full version of the sport.
The lead changed five times as Peru beat Uruguay 34-30 in its 13-a-side international rugby league debut.
Peru sealed the game with a hat-trick to veteran hooker Jye Sommers (pictured above).
The entertaining affair in front of the packed crowd around Waminda had Uruguay ahead with 20 minutes remaining, largely off the back of the three Papa brothers, Diego, Nico and Gabriel.
However, the Uruguayans were left to rue the absence of several key players and a lack of fitness as they faded in the back end of each half.
Peruvian prop Sean Day was the juggernaut who put his team constantly on the front foot, with front row teammate Juan Carlos Carrion also submitting a hearty performance.
When the brawl erupted at the start of the second half, Peru had just scored via teenager Josh Marrufo-Davidson to put their noses in front 20-18.
Before a conversion could be taken, play was stopped for over four minutes as Angel Morrison (Uruguay) and Isaiah Parker (Peru) were sent for early showers.
Ordered to cool their heels for 10 minutes, Julio Toledo (Uruguay), Roy Lozano Razuri (Peru) and Jacob Parker (Peru) also spent time out of the contest.
Ultimately it was two tries in succession from old-stager Sommers and another to Jayden Ibarburu which gave Peru a 34-24 lead that could not be bridged, despite two tries to Uruguay in the last 10 minutes.
