Scotland sweep series

Scotland fended off an intense period of second-half pressure to defeat Argentina 13-9 in the second Test at Mar del Plata.

Jim Hamilton scored the only try of the contest as the visitors added to victory in Tucuman last Saturday to complete their first series victory in the southern hemisphere.

The Pumas fell to an early deficit but quickly hit back and then dominated after the half-time interval but could only muster three points during the 40 minutes.

Andy Robinson made only one change to his starting line-up from the first Test, with Simon Danielli being recalled on the left wing and Max Evans moving to inside centre.

And the visitors made a flying start when Dan Parks' penalty set-up a five-metre lineout and Hamilton forced his way over the try-line from the resulting maul.

Fine kick

Parks extended the lead with a fine conversion but then missed an ambitious drop-goal from just inside the Argentina half.

The hosts eventually found their way into the game and got on the scoreboard when Felipe Contepomi slotted a routine penalty through the posts after John Barclay had been penalised.

Like Barclay before him, Hamilton failed to release his opponent on the ground and Contepomi reduced the deficit to one point with another penalty midway through the first half.

The hosts continued to come forward and Rodrigo Roncero powered his way towards the try-line before being stopped by Scotland full-back Hugo Southwell.

Argentina were then penalised for not releasing and Parks nailed a huge kick from near the halfway line to restore the four-point advantage.

But the prolific Parks then missed two penalties as indiscipline threatened to cost the hosts dear.

Roncero did not heed the referee's warning and was sin-binned just before half-time, although Scotland did not capitalise on the one-man advantage.

Second half

Argentina piled on the pressure early in the second half but did not convert as Southwell made a crucial interception.

After the numbers were evened up again, Argentina firmly took control but continued to be wasteful as Gonzalo Tiesi knocked on and Contepomi missed a penalty from near the halfway line.

Martin Rodriguez eventually slotted home a penalty on the hour after Scotland were penalised for offside while defending in front of their try-line.

The gap was back to a single point but Parks settled Scotland's nerves by nailing a penalty from around 40 metres out.

Argentina continued to pressure in the closing stages but Scott MacLeod stole possession from a lineout to close out the victory.