And we’re back in action! The high goal in Argentina finally resumed on Sunday with the semifinals of the Tortugas Open after 10 days of suspended matches due to poor weather conditions. The semis of the first leg of the Triple Crown took place at the AAP grounds in Pilar. After claiming respective victories, La Dolfina and Ellerstina qualified for the final, which has been set for Wednesday. The two powerhouse teams have not faced each other since the 2018 Hurlingham Open.
The first match of the day saw defending champions La Dolfina take on Cría Yatay, a battle that had also taken place in the Argentine Open semifinal in 2016. This meeting was not too different from the former. The ten days of rest didn’t seem to have affected the Cañuelas foursome; they secured the win and a place in the final, and displayed a good level of polo throughout. The match also marked Matías Mac Donough’s debut as La Dolfina coach.
Next up, one of the most anticipated matches of the season so far: Ellerstina fought Las Monjitas for the second spot in the tournament final. The clash marked the first time the two have met since Las Monjitas defeated La Z in the Open semis last year. The match exceeded expectations! At many points throughout the game it seemed like Las Monjitas would take the victory, especially once they had secured a six goal advantage. But Ellerstina came back in the second half. While the Pieres didn’t have their best day, they managed to gain a one goal advantage in the final minute of the seventh chukka. But a goal from Santi Toccalino sent the match into overtime. That’s when Polito Pieres came through for his team, receiving a long pass up from cousin Facundo and scoring the golden goal.
LA DOLFINA 20-4 CRÍA YATAY
La Dolfina: Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (10 goals, 4 penalties), Pelon Stirling 10 (4), Pablo Mac Donough 10 (3), Juan Martín Nero 10 (3). Total: 40.
Cría Yatay: Valerio Zubiaurre 8 (1 goal), Magoo Laprida 8 (2), Joaquín Pittaluga 8, Iñaki Laprida 8 (1). Total: 32.
Score La Dolfina: 5-1, 5-1, 9-2, 13-2, 17-3, 19-4, 20-4.
Umpires: Gastón Lucero & José I. Araya.
Third man: Rafael Silva.
BPP by the Argentine Breeders Association: Dolfina B05 Cuartetera – Clone 5, played by Adolfo Cambiaso.
Nominations: Mas Claudia (Adolfo Cambiaso) & Dolfina B02 Cuartetera – Clone 2 (Adolfo Cambiaso).
ELLERSTINA 16-15 LAS MONJITAS
Ellerstina Johor: Polito Pieres 10 (3 goals), Gonzalo Pieres 9 (1), Nicolás Pieres 10 (1), Facundo Pieres 10 (11, 9 penalties and 1 safety). Total: 39.
Las Monjitas: Facundo Sola 9 (3 goals), Hilario Ulloa 10 (3), Sapo Caset 10 (7), Santiago Toccalino 9 (2). Total: 38.
Score Ellerstina Johor: 1-3, 1-5, 4-6, 5-10, 7-12, 11-12, 15-15, 16-15.
Umpires: Guillermo Villanueva & Martín Pascual.
Third man: Gonzalo López Vargas.
BPP by the Argentine Breeders Association: Anay Sur Kurnikova, played by Facundo Sola.
Nominations: El Overo Fisura (Hilario Ulloa) & Open So Pretty (Facundo Pieres).
The Tortugas Open will continue as follows:
Wednesday:
4pm, FINAL TORTUGAS OPEN: La Dolfina vs Ellerstina
Date TBA:
Semifinal Subsidiary: La Aguada vs. La Ensenada
Semifinal Subsidiary: La Dolfina Polo Ranch vs. La Albertina Abu Dhabi
IMAGES:
