Following the rain delay, the 132nd. Hurlingham Open resumed on Tuesday September 30, with the first day of semifinals, that took place at the Argentine Polo Association Headquarters, in Pilar.La Natividad La Dolfina and Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu were set to clash for the first spot in the decisive game, in a quite different version of the derby of the XXI Century. It’s worth to notice that La Natividad La Dolfina and Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu reached the semifinals after beating La Hache Cría & Polo and Los Machitos, respectively, in quarter finals. In addition, Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu had to hire Lorenzo Chavanne to sub in for Antonio Heguy, who suffered an injury in the quarter finals and had to undergo surgery.

There was plenty of drama in the match between La Natividad La Dolfina and Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu; after scoring an impressive 29 goals against La Hache Cría & Polo, the Cañuelas-based lineup had to fight hard to beat a very determined Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu, who were always on their tails thoroghout the eight chukkas of play. And so hard it was, that the contest was only decided in an extra chukka, with a goal produced by Jeta Castagnola in the last minutes within OT.

Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu had a stronger start, with a display of strong team play and very solid both in attack and defense. It was a very tough game, with both teams exchanging the leadership as well as several ties (a total of five in eight chukkas). This made things very difficult for La Natividad La Dolfina, despite they had the always indomitable Jeta Castagnola (he scored 10 out of 13 goals for his team), and sometimes they had to struggle against a fierce Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu foursome who were on their tails. After a scoreless fifth chukka, La Natividad La Dolfina seemed to take off – Jeta Castagnola and Poroto Cambiaso produced one goal each, to widen the advantage to three goals (11-8). But it didn’t last that long – the reply came from Cruz Heguy and two unanswered goals to close the gap to just one goal.

It was Jeta Castagnola who found the flags in the seventh chukka, that allowed La Natividad La Dolfina to step into the eighth and last chukka with two goals ahead (12-10). But in a big, remarkable efford, Cruz Heguy and Gonzalito Pieres outscored their contenders 2-0 in the last chukka to send the match into overtime. An overtime that was almost like a battlefield; the agony finally came to an end with just one minute left, when Jeta Castagnola picked the ball and ran to the goalposts to seal the deal. The Cañuelas boys earned a very hard fought 13-12 victory and the first ticket to the final of the first tournament of the Triple Crown.

LOS MACHITOS ADVANCED TO THE FINAL OF THE DRYSDALE CUP

Previously, Los Machitos and La Hache Cría & Polo played the semifinal of the Drysdale Cup, which saw Mariano Aguerre’s organisation lineup better at the start. However, the Ulloa family’s team bounced back slowly, although Los Machitos managed to remain in the lead. At the end of the day, Diego Cavanagh and Torito Ruiz sealed the deal with one goal each, in the last chukka. Los Machitos won 18-14, and will play the final of the Drysdale Cup.

The second matchdate of semifinals of the Hurlingham Open will take place on Wednesday October 1:

1,30pm: Semifinal Drysdale Cup #2, Sol de Agosto vs. La Ensenada

4pm: La Irenita La Hache vs. UAE

(Argentina times)

THE FINAL OF THE 132nd. HURLINGHAM OPEN WIL BE PLAYED ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 4.

132nd. HURLINGHAM OPEN – Teams & Fixture

Cover photo by Matías Callejo/Prensa AAP.