The much anticipated 2025 Triple Crown in Argentina kicked off on Wednesday September 24, with the first leg of the most important polo series worldwide, the 132nd. Hurlingham Open. The two first games took place at the Argentine Association of Polo Headquarters (AAP) located in Pilar. The 132nd. Hurlingham Open, that is played on single elimination – meaning that today were the quarter finals – sees eight teams up to 40 goals, partake.
There was a huge expectation with regards to the first match of the day; it was the debut of the all-Cañuelas foursome, La Natividad La Dolfina, made of the Cambiasos, father and son and the Castagnola brothers. The only team rated at 40 goals also revealed a well kept secret – the new jersey colors – half green (La Natividad), half blue (La Dolfina). They were to face the second team of the Ulloa family, La Hache Cría & Polo (32 goals).
La Natividad La Dolfina got off to a very strong start; by the end of the first chukka, they had a commanding 5-0 lead. But that was only the beginning of what would come next. In a merciless display of power, the Cañuelas foursome seized the reins, based on a very solid lineup and a perfect, very well oiled performance in attack and defense and a remarkable team play; literally, they swept La Hache Cria & Polo, who were unable to stop such a strong contender, who, by half time, had an impressive 13-2 advantage. Far from slowing down, La Natividad La Dolfina overwhelmed their rivals in the second half; under the command of the indomitable Jeta Castagnola, who produced eleven goals, the match was a walk in the park for La Natividad La Dolfina, who claimed a heavy 29-4 victory, one of the highest scores in the history of the Triple Crown, and earned the first spot in semifinals.
Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu vs. Los Machitos came up next, with the former bringing two families together – the two Pieres brothers, Gonzalito and Facundo, and cousins Antonio and Cruz Heguy, in a mix of youth and experience. In addtion, it marked Facundo Pieres’ comeback to Ellerstina, after spending a couple of years with La Natividad. Meanwhile, Los Machitos, Mariano Aguerre’s organisation, were back in the Triple Crown, with a 32-goal lineup made of Torito Ruiz, Alfredo Bigatti, Diego Cavanagh and Teo Lacau. Fact: the latter played with Cruz and Antonio in Chapaleufu, last year.
Los Machitos opened the scores halfway the first chukka, through a penalty conversion by Torito Ruiz, but Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu replied quickly with goals courtesy of Facundo Pieres, Antonio and Cruz Heguy, to earn a 3-1 lead, which was widened to 5-1 at the end of the third chukka. But the best was about to come – in an epic fourth chukka, Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu outscored Los Machitos 5-0 and the scoreboard at half time read a 9-2 lead for the black jerseys. However, after the storm, Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu slowed down, but still hold a comfortable advantage.
The fifth chukka brought another comeback – Antonio Heguy, who suffered an injury on a knee in the second chukka, was unable to continue, and was replaced by Nicolás Pieres, who went to play with his brothers again after two years. It’s worth to notice that Nico will play the qualification tournament with Kazak. And it was Nico precisely who produced a great goal to put Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu 10-3 up. However, Los Machitos never gave up, and struggled to get in the game, mostly thanks to Torito Ruiz’s accuracy to convert penalties. Even so, Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu re gained control, and Gonzalito Pieres scored a great goal within the last minutes in the sixth chukka; Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu was 11-6 ahead. After closing the seventh chukka 13-6 up, the deal was said and done; a scoreless eighth chukka followed, the black jerseys were victorious and will play the semifinal against La Natividad La Dolfina.
The 13nd. Hurlingham Open will resume on Thursday September 25, with the following schedule:
2pm: La Irenita La Hache vs. Sol de Agosto
4pm: UAE vs. La Ensenada
(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.