The 85th. Tortugas Open continued on Tuesday October 14, with two League A matches, that saw Los Machitos and La Natividad La Dolfina victorious against Sol de Agosto and La Irenita La Hache, respectively. The tournament, second leg of the prestigious Triple Crown in Argentina, is played at the Tortugas Country Club, and sees eight teams up to 40 goals, partake.

Los Machitos and La Hache La Irenita opened fire. While Los Machitos earned a remarkable win against La Hache La Irenita in their debut game, Sol de Agosto lost to La Natividad La Dolfina. Therefore, it was a crucial contest for both lineups, a contest that was expected to be very tight.

And it was, indeed – an almost epic match, very tight, hard fought and most likely, one of the best the Argentine season has seen up-to-date, with both teams giving their best, by exchanging the leadership, plenty of goals and ties, and in the event of a gap on either side, it went no further than two or three goals. Therefore, half time saw Los Machitos and Sol de Agosto tied at 6-all. The story would go on in the second part, and it was clear enough that the two of them had one thing in mind –  Los Machitos were seeking for their second victory in Tortugas, and Sol de Agosto were giving their best to demonstrate they were up to the task. And they didn’t dissappoint –  they delivered a remarkable contest, a contest that was anyone’s game. By the time to play the last chukka, Los Machitos’ Torito Ruiz produced a remarkable goal to tie at 13-all. Far from giving up, Sol de Agosto put more pressure, led by their most outstaning man, Juan Martín Zubía. But at the end of the day, luck was on Los Machitos’ side; with just seconds on the clock, Teo Lacau score his single goal of the match, which ended being “the” goal of the match. The one that sealed the deal and secured Los Machitos the 14-13 victory.

Up next, La Natividad La Dolfina continued their winning path, and the “victim” today was La Irenita La Hache, a foursome that still seems quite a bit aimlessly. Although the contest had a quite leveled start, with La Natividad La Dolfina leading by 4-2 at the beginning of the third chukka, soon the Cañuelas-based foursome became a merciless contender. A solid defense, and an accurate attack led by the indomitable Jeta Castagnola and his cousin Poroto Cambiaso, did the rest – La Natividad La Dolfina overwhelmed La Irenita La Hache, who struggled to stay in the game. Such was La Dolfina La Natividad’s dominance, that by half time they had taken a commanding 10-2 advantage.

Although La Hache La Irenita made several attempts to reach the goalposts, it was an impossible task – La Natividad La Dolfina’s very oiled defense made their rival’s life impossible, and the match was almost said and done in the sixth chukka, when the 40-goal foursome were 13-4 up. At the start of the eighth chukka, La Natividad La Dolfina were leading by an impressive 21-7; just one more goal in the last chukka, to capture the 22-8 win, and the Cañuelas boys will clash against Los Machitos for the first spot in the final of the Tortugas Open, next Saturday.

The 85th. Tortugas Open will resume on Wednesday October 15:

1pm: Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu vs. La Hache Cría & Polo

4pm: La Ensenada vs. UAE

(Argentina time)

THE FINAL OF THE 85th. TORTUGAS OPEN WIL BE PLAYED ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 25.

85th. TORTUGAS OPEN – Teams & Fixture

Cover photo by Matías Callejo/Prensa AAP.