Photo credit: Tatiana Frayssinet

Palermo ground 2 became literally a battlefield in the second semifinal of the 131st. Hurlingham Open, the first leg of the much coveted Argentine Triple Crown. Title holders, La Dolfina Saudi, clashed against the brand-new Ellerstina lineup, in another edition of the derby of polo, that took place on Sunday September 28.

But beyond any results, one thing is for certain – both lienups demonstrated to be up to the task. They played a fantastic match, remaining on each other’s tails thoroghout eight intense chukkas of play, led by two crucial men, who were in charge to set the goalposts on fire  – La Dolfina’s Poroto Cambiaso and Ellerstina’s Sapo Caset, who produced eleven and twelve goals, respctively. La Dolfina Saudi and Ellerstina played a very tight contest – they exchanged the lead many times as well as tied on three occassions. They played a thrilling, hard fought game until the very end. By the start of the eighth chukka, Ellerstina was 15-14 ahead, but in that last chukka, penalties decided the fate – Poroto Cambiaso converted three and Sapo Caset two, which led to a 17-all, that sent the match into overtime. That’s when Poroto Cambiaso scored the winning goal that securedLa Dolfina Saudi the 18-17 win and the second spot in the final of the Hurlingham Open.

Therefore, next Saturday, the Lewis Lacey ground at the Hurlingham Club, will host the first 80-goal final of the Triple Crown in six years. The last one was in 2018, precisely at the Hurlingham Open, between Ellerstina and La Dolfina, that saw the former victorious.

Meanwhile, and in the second semifinal of the Subsidiary Drysdale Cup, La Ensenada beat Indios Chapaleufu 18-16, in Pilar, and will clash against Cría La Dolfina.

La Natividad and La Dolfina Saudi will play the championship match of the 131st. Hurlingham Open on Saturday October 5, at 4pm.

131° Hurlingham Open – Fixture & Teams

Cover photo by Matías Callejo.