La Natividad La Dolfina beat UAE 12-9, and claimed the 132nd. Hurlingham Open, the first leg of the prestigious Triple Crown in Argentina. The championship match was played on Saturday October 4, on the club’s main ground, Lewis Lacey, named after the extraordinary Canadian-born player who was the second 10-goaler in Argentina, back in 1915.
It was the first title for the all-Cañuelas foursome, made of the Cambiasos (father and son) and the Castagnola brothers; after a very tough semifinal against Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu, they were able to display their own system over a remarkable UAE lineup, coached by Lucas Monteverde. Let’s remember that UAE are playing their first complete Triple Crown, and already reached a final; but beyond the result of this final, be prepared, because they’ve made perfectly clear they are eager to go further in the remaining of the season.
In addition, the win in the Hurlingham Open secured Adolfo Cambiaso a couple of new records to add to his very own large personal collection of achievements. He became the player who won the most tournaments of the Triple Crown (43), ranking above two legends, Juan Carlitos Harriott and Alberto Pedro Heguy. And he has titles in the Hurlingham Open more than anyone else (16), overcoming Juan Carlitos Harriott.
With regards to the final of the 132nd. Hurlingham Open, which took place on a sunny and warm Spring afternoon, La Natividad La Dolfina and UAE played a very balanced first start, or at least until the third chukka. They tied at 1-all in the first, UAE took the lead in the second (4-2) and a 60-yards penalty converted by Jeta Castagnola, made it to 5-all in the third. The story would change in the fourth chukka – a couple of fouls awarded to La Natividad La Dolfina ended up in two consecutive 30-yards penalties, successfully converted by Jeta to stretch their lead to 8-5. However, UAE could recover a bit, thanks to a goal produced by Lukin Monteverde in the last seconds within the fourth chukka.
It sounded like things could be different for UAE after half time, following two unanswered goals by Polito Pieres, in the fifth, that closed the gap to one goal. UAE was back in the game, like in the first chukkas, but a determined La Natividad La Dolfina had another ideas in mind; they scored again with only 45 seconds to go to re-take the two goal advantage. In the sixth chukka, La Natividad La Dolfina seized the reins – a 40 yards penalty conversion secured them a 10-7 lead that gave them some fresh air to play the two last chukkas. Although Polito Pieres came back once again in the seventh with a couple of goals, it was Adolfo Cambiaso who produced a remarkable goal, which meant that with only chukka to go the Cañuelas boys were two goals ahead (11-9). The last chukka was a real challenge for UAE, who were obliged to score at least twice to send the match into over time. But UAE’s hopes vanished halfway the last chukka, when Poroto Cambiaso found the flags to mark what would be the final result – 12-9. Time was running up; at the end of the day, La Natividad La Dolfina were victorious, and took home the first leg of the Argentine Triple Crown.
LA ENSENADA WON THE DRYSDALE CUP FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Early in the morning, La Ensenada claimed a 15-13 win over Los Machitos and won the Drysdale Cup, in the final that took place at the Argentine Association of Polo Heaquarters, in Pilar. The first half was very leveled, until La Ensenada were able to take the lead in the two following chukkas. Los Machitos made a comeback in the seventh, but La Ensenada outscored them 2-0 in the last, that earned them the 15-13 win and the title.
It’s worth noting that La Ensenada won the Drysdale Cup for the second consecuive year; in 2024 they beat Cría La Dolfina 15-11, with Alfredo Bigatti within the lineup. Alfredo is playing now for Los Machitos. Juan Britos and Jerónimo del Carril are the remaining members of the 2024 foursome (the fourth member was Juan Martín Zubía).
132nd. HURLINGHAM OPEN – FINAL – SATURDAY OCTOBER 4
LA NATIVIDAD LA DOLFINA 12-9 UAE
La Natividad La Dolfina: Camilo Castagnola 10 (8 goals, 4 penalties), Poroto Cambiaso 10 (1), Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (2), Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 10 (1). Total: 40.
UAE Polo: Pablo Pieres 9 (6 goals, 4 penalties), Lukin Monteverde 9 (2), Tomás Panelo 9 (1), Juan Martín Nero 10. Total: 37.
Score La Natividad La Dolfina: 1-1, 2-4, 5-5, 8-6, 9-7, 10-7, 11-9, 12-9.
Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Gonzalo López Vargas.
Third man: José Ignacio Araya.
Juan Carlos Harriott MVP Award: Camilo Castagnola.
Javier Novillo Astrada MVP Award: Camilo Castagnola.
Fair Play Award: Juan Martín Nero.
Daniel Kearney BPP, Presented by the Hurlingham Club: Baysur Clara, ridden by Adolfo Cambiaso.
BPP. Presented by the AAP: Show Down, ridden by Barto Castagnola.
Best Polo Argentino Bred, presented by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Assn: Baysur Clara, ridden by Adolfo Cambiaso.
Top scorer of the final: Camilo Castagnola (8).
132nd. HURLINGHAM OPEN – Teams & Fixture
Cover photo by Matías Callejo/Prensa AAP.