Swiryn's tries spur U.S. to 27-22 win over Uruguay

MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) - Wing Kevin Swiryn scored two tries as the United States beat Uruguay 27-22 in the first leg of their 2011 rugby World Cup qualifier Saturday.

The Eagles, who have played at all the World Cups, ran in four tries, two in each half, and looked to be running away with the match when they led 27-6 with 15 minutes remaining.

However, a fine second half performance from Uruguay fullback Jeronimo Echeverry, who scored a try and 14 points from perfect goal kicking, gave the Teros hope for the return leg in the U.S. next Saturday.

The winner of the two-legged playoff, which is decided on total points, will qualify for the 2011 rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

U.S. scrumhalf Tim Usasz put the first points on the board after 15 minutes when he exploited gaps down the blind side behind a ruck to touch down.

Teros flyhalf Nicolas Morales replied with a penalty to make the score 5-3 but within seconds of the restart Swiryn stole the ball on the left and ran through several poor tackles to score.

U.S. flyhalf Mike Hercus, who missed both first half conversions, slotted a penalty to give the Eagles a 13-3 lead at the interval before Swiryn extended the lead eight minutes into the second half with another break down the left for his second try, which Hercus converted.

With Uruguay prop Mario Sagario in the sin bin midway through the second half, center Junior Sifa found a gap in the middle to dart through for another try that Hercus converted.

Echeverry began the Uruguay fight back with four well taken penalties before he picked up a well placed, left-footed, soccer style kick into his path on the left from scrumhalf Juan Campomar to score in the corner a minute into injury time.

"We have to correct our mistakes. We gave away all four tries," Campomar told ESPN.

Uruguay missed the last World Cup in France in 2007 after playing at the previous two.

(Writing by Rex Gowar in Buenos Aires, editing by Greg Stutchbury)