The Argentinian midweek side made heavy weather of their fixture against NPC Second Division side Thames Valley in Paeroa on Tuesday afternoon, eventually emerging with a 26-12 victory.

The Pumas , so impressive in their big win over first division opposition on Sunday, failed to achieve any degree of control against eager and well organized opponents and coach Ledesma should not have too many problems selecting his side for Saturday's test in Christchurch against the All Blacks.

The opening quarter was , surprisingly, dominated by the home side. Tall at the lineout, they were able to win their own ball and were then keen to drive it on to put the Pumas under pressure.We also saw further evidence of the rolling maul being introduced into the game with both sets of forwards gaining good ground with this tactic. The Pumes also put themselves under undue pressure by turning the ball over far too easily.Two Aaron Steel penalties converted the pressure into points to give Thames Valley an early 6-0 lead.

Against the run of play, debutant full back Serra intercepted a pass and ran 70 metres down the left hand touchline to get the Pumas' first points of the game,Quesada's conversion giving his side the lead for the first time. With both sides struggling to come to terms with referee Bray's interpretation of the tackle ball laws, the game was stifled by a high penalty count, 20 before half time. As half time approached, Quesada extended the lead with a well taken penalty, but there was still time for Steel to kick his third penalty to make the score 10-9 to Argentina at the break.

Thames Valley started the second half well, one move from deep in their territory stretching the Pumas. But it was Quesada who secured the first points , his second penalty coming after the home side had gone offside in front of their posts. Nunes Piossek then scored a clever try on the blindside, converted by Quesada, to suggest that the Pumas would now take control of the game in the final quarter.

But Thames Valley came storming back, laying siege to the Argentinian line before Steel kicked his fourth penalty. Stung, the Pumas rushed back to the other end and Quesada goaled his third. The final 10 minutes turned out to be a scrappy affair, the Pumas unconvincing but clear winners by 14 points.

Scorers :

Thames Valley : 12 :Penalties : Steel (4)

Argentina : 26 : Tries : Serra, Nunes Piossek Conversions : Quesada (2) Penalties : Quesada (4)

Teams

Thames Valley

Dean Moloney, Marcel Ammes, Dion Lawson, Glen Neems, Aaron Steel, Bevan Robinson, Aaron McDonald, Andrew van Hout, Carl McDuff, Stephen Trebilco, Bob Rigter ( captain), Glen Stanton, Carl Tremayne, Aaron McKain, Bart Thompson

Substitutes : Paul Joseph, Terri Rahui, Kyle O'Brien, Hayden Cullen, Anthony Jackman, Matt Bartleet, Steve Morrison.

Argentina

Federico Serra, Jose Nunez Piossek, Eduardo Simone, Jose Orengo, Facundo Soler, Gonzalo Quesada, Nicolas Fernandez Miranda, Alfonso Amuchastegui ( captain), Rimas Alvarez, Martin Durand, Mariano Sambucetti, Leonardo Roldan, Mauricio Reggiardo, Mario Ledesma, Leopoldo De Chazal

Substitutes : Gonzalo Camardon, Felipe Contepomi, Agustin Pichot, Lucas Ostiglia, Alejandro Allub, Pablo Cardina
Federico Mendez.