Title holders La Dolfina were back on ground 2 at Palermo to play their second match of the 127th Argentine Open on Sunday, this time against the young La Irenita II foursome. As expected, it was a very one sidede performance as La Dolfina played their second match of the season with their original four members, and they dominated the action from the get go.
La Dolfina reached a comfortable 10-5 lead by half time, but the third chukka was particularly remarkable because Adolfo Cambiaso scored his one thousandth goal in his history of the Argentine Open. Another remarkable record for this extraordinary player, a true star of the sport, who scored his first goal in the Argentine Open (a corner) back in 1992, while playing with Ellerstina.
In terms of the match, La Irenita II struggled throughout but they still managed to score some great goals, thanks to Pedro Falabella, Santiago Loza and Tito Ruiza Guiñazu. In the second half, La Dolfina seized the reins and took absolute control of the match, making great plays and scoring many goals, proving that hey have fully recovered from their slow start and the injuries that hindered them this season. There was not much La Irenita II could do against the overwhelming performance of the Cambiaso and Co., who left the field with an impressive 24-9 win under their belts.
Up next came one of the most anticipated matches of the Open, as La Natividad Las Monjitas took on RS Murus Sanctus. The truth is that no one was disappointed by what these two powerful teams displayed on the field. RS Murus Sanctus got off to a stronger start within the first five minutes of play, with Sapo Caset scoring a penalty conversion, and Fran Elizalde converting a great field. But La Natividad Las Monjitas only needed one minute to change that first chukka – the one and only Jeta Castagnola found the flags twice, to end the first period tied at 2-all. It was undoubtedly the clash of two giants – a very hard fought match, with plenty of great plays and goals. Every attack from RS Murus Sanctus saw La Natividad Las Monjitas reply quickly, and vise verse. It was definitely the kind of polo everyone wanted to see.
RS Murus Sanctus were narrowly leading 5-4 in the third chukka, but an absolutely thrilling fourth chukka followed, where both teams went head-to-head and fought hard in a true battle. Halfway though that fourth period, a confident 17-year-old Jeta Castagnola scored two amazing goals, that forced a quick reply from RS Murus Sanctus, thanks to a fantastic pass from Facundo Sola to Fran Elizalde that found the flags. After another goal from superstar Jeta, Sapo Caset converted a corner to tie the match 7-all.
It was in the sixth chukka that La Natividad Las Monjitas took off. Jeta converted a 40 yard penalty to extend the gap to two goals for the first time in the match, 9-7, and when the seventh chukka was about to end, Bartolito Castagnola sent a fantastic pass to Polito Pieres, who scored a great goal to widen the advantage to 10-7. Not only they were accurate in attack, but also in defence, as they managed to hold RS Murus Sanctus scoreless, over three chukkas thanks to their remarkable back, Nachi du Plessis.
Wonder boy, MVP and top scorer Jeta Castagnola, sealed the deal within the first minutes of the last chukka. While Sapo Caset and Facu Sola scored two goals apiece to keep RS Murus Sanctus’ hopes alive, it was too late: La Natividad claimed a very important 12-11 win.
LA DOLFINA SAUDI 24-19 LA IRENITA II
La Dolfina Saudi: Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (12 goals, 7 on penalties and 1 safety penalty), David Stirling 10 (5), Pablo Mac Donough 10 (2), Juan Martín Nero 10 (5). Total: 40.
La Irenita II: Santiago Loza 7 (4, 1 penalty), Tomás Fernández Llorente 7 (3, 1 penalty), Tito Ruiz Guiñazú 8 Pedro Falabella 7 (2). Total: 29.
Score La Dolfina Saudi: 4-0, 7-1, 10-3, 10-5, 13-7, 17-8, 22-8, 24-9.
Umpires: Esteban Ferrari & Martín Aguerre.
Third Man: Gastón Lucero.
BPP Polo Argentino: Oro Cañita Voladora (Dolfina Cuarteto x Chapaleufu Caradura), played by Adolfo Cambiaso.
Nominees:
Pacua Ladina (Open Tintero x Pacua Beduina), played by Pedro Falabella.
Irenita Acertada (Clarin x Irenita Certera), played by Pablo MacDonough.
LA NATIVIDAD LAS MONJITAS 12-11 RS MURUS SANCTUS
La Natividad Monjitas: Camilo Castagnola 8 (10, 4 on penalties), Pablo Pieres 10 (2), Barto Castagnola 9, Ignatius Du Plessis 9. Total: 36.
RS Murus Sanctus: Facundo Sola 9 (2 goals), Francisco Elizalde 8 (2), Guillermo Caset 10 (7, 4 penalties and 1 safety), Alfredo Cappella Barabucci 8. Total: 35.
Score La Natividad Monjitas: 2-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-7, 8-7, 9-7, 10-7, 12-11.
Umpires: Guillermo Villanueva & Martín Pascual.
Third Man: Matías Baibiene.
BPP Polo Argentino: Chalo La Luli Pop (Theol x Chalo Bebota), played by Bartolomé Castagnola Jr.
Nominees:
Latia Ramona (Open Cabernet x Open Rayuela), played by Barto Castagnola.
El Overo Fisura (Beautiful Boy x Soy Figurita), played by Polito Pieres.
The 127th Argentine Open continues on Monday, December 7:
12pm: Ellerstina vs. Cria GT
4pm: La Ensenada La Aguada vs. La Dolfina Polo Ranch
127° ARGENTINE POLO OPEN: Fixture & Teams
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