Bardon earned a 13-7 win over El Milagro and claimed the Julio Novillo Astrada Cup, following the championship match, that took place at La Aguada Polo Club, in Open Door, Argentina, on Tuesday November 21m, on a cold and rainy afternoon. The Julio Novillo Astrada is the opening tournament of the 2023 Spring Season, at La Aguada Polo Club, presented by Río Uruguay Seguros.
El Milagro’s Lukin Monteverde opened the scores in the first chukka; but Bardon replied quickly through Jeta Castagnola and Rufino Lauhlé, who secured the 2-1 advantage for Bardon at the end of the first chukka. From then onwards, the match belonged to Bardon, who remained in the lead throughout the six chukkas of play; by halftime, Bardon was 7-3 ahead of El Milagro. In the second half, Andras Tombor’s lineup dominated their opponents, who struggled to remain in the game, but their efforts didn’t pay off.
By the start of the sixth chukka, the deal was said and done, with Bardon 12-5 up. At the end of the day, and after a very well played contest, Bardon produced one last goal to secure the 13-7 victory that led them to win the XIX Edition of the Julio Novillo Astrada Cup. It is worth to note that this is the second title for the organisation, previously winners of La Hache Polo Cup.
Meanwhile, the Subsidiary Trophy went to Forbes Plunkett, who defeated Santa Clara 14-12.
FINAL JULIO NOVILLO ASTRADA CUP. TUESDAY NOVEMBER 21, LA AGUADA POLO CLUB
- Subsidiary:Forbes Plunkett 14 vs Santa Clara 12
- Final Julio Novillo Astrada Cup:Bardon Polo Team 13 vs El Milagro 7
Bardon Polo Team: Andreas Tombor 0, Rufino Laulhé 3, Alfredo Bigatti 9, Camilo Castagnola 10. Total: 22.
El Milagro Polo: Federico Tomasevich 1 (Gonzalo Lozano 1), Santiago Solari 6, Benjamín Panelo 7 (Lucas Monteverde Jr. 7), Ignacio Novillo Astrada 8. Total: 22.
Score Bardon: 2-1, 4-2, 7-3, 9-5, 12-5, 13-7.
Awards Presentation:
MVP: Rufino Laulhé.
River Slaney BPP: Luca Cartagena, ridden by Alfredo Bigatti.
Best Polo Argentino Bred, presented by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Assn.: Siempre Mala Fama (Open Iphone x Luca Mara), ridden by Alfredo Bigatti.
Skeeter Johnston Fair Play Award: Gonzalo Lozano.
Best mounted player: Alfredo Bigatti.
Following the awards presentation, there was an after polo, that included asado, music and other delicacies, in which the attendants enjoyed the warmth of the Novillo Astrada family, and had a great deal of fun with family and friends.
The Julio Novillo Astrada Cup, the opening tournament of the 2023 Spring Season hosted by La Aguada Polo Club Presented by Río Uruguay Seguros, was underway at La Aguada Polo Club, the Novillo Astrada family’s club located in Open Door, Argentina. The contest is the club’s premier competition, and has been played since 2004, as a tribute to La Aguada’s founder, Mr. Julio Novillo Astrada, affectionately known as Yayo within his family. The 2023 edition of the tournament saw four teams up to 22 goals in participation.
2023 JULIO NOVILLO ASTRADA CUP – TEAMS
Bardon Polo Team: Andreas Tombor 0, Rufino Laulhé 3, Alfredo Bigatti 9, Camilo Castagnola 10. Total: 22.
El Milagro Polo: Federico Tomasevich 1 (Gonzalo Lozano 1), Santiago Solari 6, Benjamín Panelo 7 (Lukin Monteverde 7), Ignacio Novillo Astrada 8. Total: 22.
Forbes Plunkett Polo Team: Brandon Plunkett 0, Nicolás Escobar 6, Jerónimo del Carril 8, Miguel Novillo Astrada 8. Total: 22.
Santa Clara: Lucas Escobar 5, Alejandro Novillo Astrada 7, Cruz Novillo Astrada 5, Lucas Bosch 4. Total: 21.
2023 JULIO NOVILLO ASTRADA CUP – FIXTURE
Monday October 30
Bardon Polo Team 12 vs Santa Clara 8
El Milagro 13 vs Forbes Plunkett 9
Monday November 6
Forbes Plunkett 12 vs Santa Clara 11
Tuesday November 7
Bardon Polo Team 16 vs El Milagro 11
Thursday November 9
El Milagro 11 vs Santa Clara 10
Bardon Polo Team 13 vs Forbes Plunkett 11
FINALS – TUESDAY NOVEMBER 21
Subsidiary: Forbes Plunkett 14 vs Santa Clara 12
Final Julio Novillo Astrada Cup: Bardon Polo Team 13 vs El Milagro 7
Cover photo by Adrián Melo.