Reigning champions, La Natividad, defeated La Dolfina Saudi 15-11 and earned the second spot to the championship match of the 83rd. Tortugas Open, following a memorable semifinal that took place on Saturday October 21, at Tortugas Country Club. The 83rd. Tortugas Open, the tournament that preceeds the 130th. Argentine Open, sees eight teams up to 40 goals, in participation.
La Dolfina Saudi got off to a stronger start, by outscoring their opponents 2-0 in the first chukka. Things would change from the second chukka onwards – led by the indomitable Jeta Castagnola, who produced three unanswered goals in the third chukka, La Natividad earned a 6-4 lead. Both teams fought hard in the fourth chukka, to reach a 7-all, but La Natividad re-took the lead in the fifth chukka, and played a formidable sixth chukka, when they outscored La Dolfina Saudi by an impressive 5-1, a gap that left the deal almost said and done. Poroto Cambiaso converted two penalties in the seventh chukka, but the damage has been done. A single goal by Pablo MacDonough secured La Natividad the win and the second spot in the final.
Previously, La Ensenada claimed their first win of the season, after beating Cria La Dolfina 15-13. Despite the close final score, La Ensenada dominated much of the game through a remarkable performance by Juan Martín Zubía, Cría La Dolfina closed the gap in the two last chukkas under the guidance of Tomás Panelo, but at the end of the day, luck was on La Ensenada’s side, who took the victory home.
83rd. TORTUGAS OPEN – SATURDAY OCTOBER 21
MATCH #1: LA ENSENADA 15-13 CRIA LA DOLFINA
La Ensenada Brubank: Juan Britos 9 (2 goals, one penalty), Alfredo Bigatti 9 (3), Juan Martín Zubía 9 (5), Jerónimo del Carril 8 (5, one penalty). Total: 35.
Cría La Dolfina: Guillermo Terrera 9 (1 goal), Tomás Panelo 9 (6, two penalties), Diego Cavanagh 8 (5, three penalties), Alejo Taranco 9 (1). Total: 35.
Score La Ensenada: 2-0, 5-2, 7-4, 9-5, 10-6, 12-10, 15-13.
Umpires: Martín Aguerre & Gonzalo López Vargas. Third man: Matías Baibiene.
MATCH #2: LA NATIVIDAD 15-11 LA DOLFINA SAUDI
La Natividad: Facundo Pieres 9 (4 goals, one penalty), Camilo Castagnola 10 (9, three penalties), Pablo Mac Donough 10 (1), Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 10 (1). Total: 39.
La Dolfina Saudi: Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (2 goals), David Stirling 10, Adolfo Cambiaso Jr. 10 (8, five penalties, one Penalty 1), Juan Martín Nero 10 (1). Total: 40.
Score La Natividad: 0-2, 3-4, 6-4, 7-7, 9-8, 14-9, 15-11.
Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Guillermo Villanueva. Third man: José Ignacio Araya.
The 83rd. Tortugas Open will come to an end on Saturday October 28, when La Hache La Roca and La Natividad will go head-to-head for the title, at Tortugas Country Club.
83rd. Tortugas Open: Fixture & Teams
Cover photo by Matías Callejo / Prensa AAP.