The 129th Argentine Open continued on Sunday, November 6,with two League B games, played at Palermo. Cría La Dolfina defeated La Esquina, while Ellerstina claimed a victorious debut win against La Irenita Clinova, on the Cathedral’s main ground. The highlight of the Argentine season and the most important tournament in the world sees ten teams, up to 39 goals, compete.
Cría La Dolfina and La Esquina, Pascual Sainz de Vicuña’s team, played the opening game. Guillermo Terrera and Diego Cavanagh scored the opening goals in the last minutes of the first chukka to give Cría La Dolfina an early 2-0 lead. La Esquina’s Iñaki Laprida scored in the second, but drama came in the third chukka when Cría La Dolfina pushed through, thanks to Diego Cavanagh’s accuracy converting penalties and crucial contributions by Tomás Panelo, Guillermo Terrera and Jejo Taranco.. This gave them an impressive 6-1 advantage by the end of the third chukka. By half time, Cría La Dolfina had secured a solid 8-2 lead, with goals by Guillermo Terrera and Tomás Panelo. Iñaki Laprida scored La Esquina’s single goal in the last seconds of the chukka.
Following a scoreless fifth chukka, Pascual Sainz de Vicuña scored a spectacular goal. Cría La Dolfina had a five goal advantage, so La Esquina had a tough challenge ahead, but Pascual’s team were determined. They managed to hold Cría La Dolfina back, meaning they were unable to score in for three chukkas (fifth, sixth and seventh). Despite La Esquina’s pressure, by the start of the last chukka, Cría La Dolfina maintained their 8-4 advantage. That’s when Diego Cavanagh managed to convert a penalty with only three minutes left; another penalty was awarded to La Esquina, which was successfully converted by Iñaki Laprida, it was too late for their team, and Cría La Dolfina secured the 9-5 win.
Last but not least, Ellerstina claimed a debut victory in the Argentine Open in the second match of the day by defeating La Irenita Clinova. The latter scored first, thanks to Facundo Fernández Llorente, but Ellerstina bounced back over the two next chukkas, with four unanswered goals by Facundo Pieres, securing a 4-1 lead by the end of the third. Gonzalito Pieres, Nicolás Pieres and Hilario Ulloa scored a goal each in the fourth chukka, which meant the Ellerstina had a comfortable 7-1 lead by half time.
The young and talented Bautista Bayugar scored La Irenita Clinova’s single goal in the fifth chukka, and added a couple more in the sixth; but Ellerstina kept pushing ahead, with goals by Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres. A great goal by Isidro Strada kept La Irenita Clinova’s hopes up, but Gonzalito Pieres scored again to close the sixth chukka with a five goal advantage (10-5). In the last chukkas, Ellerstina overwhelmed La Irenita Clinova, who were unable to keep up with Ellerstina. Despite Bautista Bayugar managing to add a couple of goals in the last chukka, the damage was done. Gonzalito Pieres scored two spectacular goals, securing Ellerstina’s 16-8 debut win.
It is worth highlighting Nicolás Pieres’ remarkable performance throughout the match in his comeback to Palermo after a year of absence due to an injury.
129th ARGENTINE OPEN – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6
CRIA LA DOLFINA 9-5 LA ESQUINA
Cría La Dolfina: Guillermo Terrera 9 (2 goals), Tomás Panelo 8 (1), Diego Cavanagh 8 (6, 3 penalties and 2 penalty 1), Alejo Taranco 8. Total: 33.
La Esquina: Pascual Sáinz de Vicuña 6 (2 goals), Cristian Laprida 8, Lucas James 7, Ignacio Laprida 8 (3 penalties). Total: 29.
Score Cría La Dolfina: 2-0, 4-1, 6-1, 8-2, 8-2, 8-3, 8-4, 9-5.
Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Gonzalo López Vargas.
Third man: José Ignacio Araya.
ELLERSTINA 16-8 LA IRENITA CLINOVA
Ellerstina: Facundo Pieres 10 (8 goals, 6 penalties), Hilario Ulloa 9 (2), Gonzalo Pieres Jr. 9 (5), Nicolás Pieres 10 (1). Total: 38.
La Irenita Clinova: Facundo Fernández Llorente 8 (2 goals), Tomás Fernández Llorente 8, Bautista Bayugar 8 (5 penalties), Isidro Strada 8 (1). Total: 32.
Score Ellerstina: 0-1, 3-1, 4-1, 7-1, 7-2, 10-5, 14-6, 16-8.
Umpires: Martín Pascual & Guillermo Villanueva.
Third man: Hernán Tasso.
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129th Argentine Open: Sunday, November 6
The final of the 129th Argentine Open is set to be played on Friday, December 2.