The 127th Argentine Open continued on a very hot day with a match between Los Machitos and La Dolfina Polo Ranch on Palermo’s number two ground. The first two chukkas saw La Dolfina Polo Ranch get off to a strong start, led by Diego Cavanagh, who converted both field goals and penalties. However, Los Machitos bounced back in a spectacular third chukka, outscoring La Dolfina Polo Ranch 3-0, with goals by Santiago Toccalino, Mariano Aguerre, and Agustin Merlos, who converted a penalty to tie the match 6-all, with just seconds remaining in the chukka. Los Machitos powered into the fourth. Cavanagh scored a 30-yard penalty for La Dolfina Polo Ranch, but Los Machitos replied quickly, with Agustín Merlos and Santiago Toccalino scoring a goal a piece, giving Los Machitos their first lead in the match (8-7 by half time).
Los Machitos defended well, meaning that La Dolfina Polo Ranch were unable to score in the fifth chukka, as Santiago Toccalino scored 3 times and Agustin Merlos converted once to widen the gap to 11-7. In the last three chukkas, La Dolfina Polo Ranch struggled against Los Machitos. Unable to score for two chukkas, Guillermo Terrera finally found the flags from the field, and Cavanagh converted a penalty. But Mariano Aguerre’s boys were still leading 13-9, after a 30 yard penalty converted by Santiago Toccalino. With only two chukkas remaining, a four-goal advantage was too much for La Dolfina Polo Ranch. Los Machitos maintained their lead, blocking every attempt made by their opponents. They managed to reduce the gap down to two goals with one chukka to go, but Los Machitos had it in the bag. It was their best match of the season so far. Agustín Merlos went on to score twice to seal the deal and give Los Machitos a fantastic win.
The Argentine Open then continued on Palermo’s number one ground, as Ellerstina, the only team eligible to win the Triple Crown, took on La Ensenada La Aguada. After a 1-all tie in the first chukka, Ellerstina took off in the second, scoring a devastating number of unanswered goals and overwhelming La Ensenada La Aguada. In the first half of the match, Ellerstina focused on sticking to their own system, and therefore secured a commanding 9-2 lead by half time.
The second half was not much different; Ellerstina maintained their lead while La Ensenada La Aguada were unable to do much about it. They managed to score a great goal in the sixth chukka, thanks to an amazing neck shot by Segundo Bocchino. Despite the wide goal difference, the match was one of the most enjoyable of the season – it was fast paced, with plenty of field goals, great plays, and with just a handful of fouls. Ellerstina did exactly what they came to do, and La Ensenada La Aguada tried their best against a powerful rival. The match resulted in an impressive 15-4 win for Ellerstina, another step towards their end goal: The Argentine Open title.
LOS MACHITOS 15-11 LA DOLFINA POLO RANCH
Los Machitos: Agustín Merlos 8 (6 goals), Ignacio Toccalino 8 (2 penalties), Mariano Aguerre 7 (3), Santiago Toccalino 8 (4 penalties). Total: 31.
La Dolfina Polo Ranch: Guillermo Terrera 8 (1 goal), Juan Britos 8 (2), Diego Cavanagh 9 (6, 4 penalties and 1 safety), Jejo Taranco 8 (2). Total: 33.
Score Los Machitos: 1-2, 3-6, 6-6, 8-7, 11-7, 13-9, 13-11, 15-11.
Umpires: Guillermo Villanueva and Gonzalo López Vargas.
Third Man: Federico Martelli.
BPP Polo Argentino: Machitos Jazzita (Sportivo x Machitos Jazz), played by Mariano Aguerre.
Nominees:
Machitos Odelay (Los Machitos Libano x Machitos Funky), played by Mariano Aguerre.
Anay Sur Luli (Fosforito x Mili), played by Juan Britos.
ELLERSTINA 15-4 LA ENSENADA LA AGUADA
Ellerstina: Facundo Pieres 10 (7 goals, 2 penalties), Hilario Ulloa 10 (1), Gonzalo Pieres 9 (5), Nicolás Pieres 10 (2). Total: 39.
La Ensenada-La Aguada: Segundo Bocchino 6 (1 goal), Alfredo Bigatti 8, Matías Torres Zavaleta 8 (1), Jerónimo Del Carril 7 (2 penalties). Total: 29.
Score Ellerstina: 1-1, 3-1, 7-1, 9-2, 12-2, 14-3, 15-3, 15-4.
Umpires: Gastón Lucero and Martín Pascual.
Third Man: Rafael Silva.
BPP Polo Argentino: Open Dicha (Yatay Anhelo x Ellerstina Felicidad), played by Gonzalo Pieres.
Nominee:
Open Guillermina (Optimun x Open Geisha), played by Nicolás Pieres.
127° ARGENTINE POLO OPEN: Fixture & Teams
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