La Dolfina Saudi and Ellerstina advanced to the semifinals of the 131st. Hurlingham Open, following the two remaining quarter final matches, that took place at the Argentine Association of Polo Headquarters, in Pilar, on Wednesday September 25. Title holders, La Dolfina Saudi and Ellerstina defeated Indios Chapaleufu and La Ensenada, respectively.
The day’s opening game had a great deal of historical significance. It marked the return of Indios Chapaleufu to the Triple Crown, since 2021, however a lineup that didn’t include any member of the Heguy family back then. The young and talented cousins, the sons of the four times winners of the Argentine Open with Indios Chapaleufu II, Eduardo (Ruso) and Alberto (Pepe), Cruz and Antonio, respectively, are the fourth generation representing the legendary polo family in the most coveted polo trophy worldwide. The foursome is completed with two other young guns, like Teo Lacau and Torito Ruiz Guiñazu. However, it is worth to notice that Cruz already played the Open last year with El Overo Z7 UAE, alongside Teo and Torito, and Lukin Monteverde, a lineup that got the spot to play Palermo through the qualification tournament.
With regards to the match, and with the exception of a close first chukka, La Dolfina Saudi was the absolute dominant force. From the second chukka onwards, they took control of the scoreboard, earning significative differences; by half time they were 12-6 ahead, but they never slowed down. Led by a poweful Poroto Cambiaso, who not only was the top scorer with 12 goals, but also 100% accurate on penalty conversions, La Dolfina Saudi seized the reins, and even left Indios Chapaleufu scoreless through the fifth and seventh chukkas. By the time to play the last chukka, and with La Dolfina Saudi leading 20-6, the deal was said and done. The Cañuelas-based team claimed a heavy 23-9 win, and the ticket to the semifinals.
Up next, a brand new Ellerstina clashed against La Ensenada. The former presented a brand new lineup, with only one Pieres in the lineup, Gonzalito, alongside Lukin Monteverde, Sapo Caset and Nachi du Plesis, while the latter is one of the three teams that remained the same as in 2023. Ellerstina got off to a great start, claiming a quick 2-0 lead in the first chukka, but La Ensenada managed to tie at 3-all in the second. It was nobody’s surprise, as perhaps it was expected to be a balanced contest. Nothing more far than that; from the third chukka onwards, the match belonged to the General Rodriguez-based lineup, under the command of a remarkable Sapo Caset who produced no less than 14 goals, Ellerstina took absolute control and swept their contenders, by earning considerable advantages that saw them leading 10-5 at half time. La Ensenada struggled to remain in the game; by the end of the seventh chukka, Ellerstina was 18-11 up. And although La Ensenada managed to bounce back in the last period, the damage has already been done. Ellerstina won 19-12 and they will play the second semifinal on Sunday against La Dolfina Saudi, in a new rendition of the derby of polo.
The 131st. Hurlingham Open will continue on the weekend with the semifinals, in Pilar and Palermo. The order of play is the following:
- Saturday September 28
Semifinal #1 Subsidiary Drysdale Cup (Pilar)
11am: La Hache Cría & Polo vs. Cría La Dolfina
Semifinal #1 Hurlingham Open (Palermo)
4pm: La Natividad vs. La Hache
- Sunday September 29
Semifinal #2 Subsidiary Drysdale Cup (Pilar)
11am: Indios Chapaleufu vs. La Ensenada
Semifinal #2 Hurlingham Open (Palermo)
4pm: La Dolfina Saudi vs. Ellerstina
The final of the 131st. Hurlingham Open is set to be played on Saturday October 5.
131° Hurlingham Open – Fixture & Teams
Cover photo by Matías Callejo.