Las Monjitas and La Hache claimed wins in the two League B matches of the 86th. Tortugas Open, that were played at the Tortugas Country Club, on Sunday October 25. Therefore, both teams are eligible to play the league decider, due next Sunday, although Las Monjitas need to defeat La Hache, who still remain unbeaten, having won all their three games.
In the opening game of the day, Las Monjitas clashed against La Aguada (with Alfredo Bigatti back on the saddle). The contest had a terrific start for the former – with 30 seconds in the game, Rufino Bensadon opened the scores, which was the start of a terrific performance delivered by the young player – Rufo produced five goals in that first chukka, that ended with Las Monjitas 6-0 up (Nachi du Plessis scored the remaining goal). Although La Aguada fought hard to get into the scoreboard, they only managed to produce a handful of goals during the first four chukkas (Joaquin Pittaluga x2 and Bautista Bayugar), while orange jerseys overwhemed them, led by a merciless Rufo, who, by the end of the fourth chukka, he already scored nine goals; Las Monjitas had a commanding 12-3 lead at half time.
There were no significant changes thoroghout the second half – for Las Monjitas, the match was a walk in the park, led by a outstanding Rufo, very wel supported by his team mates – Juanma Nero, Lukin Monteverde and Nachi du Plessis – who contributed to the cause with great goals and plays, while La Aguada struggled – they shot at the goalposts, but many of them went wide. At the end of the sixth chukka, Las Monjitas had the deal almost said and done – they outscored La Aguada 4-0, to make it at 18-4. La Aguada managed to produce a couple of goals more in the two last chukkas, but that was all. Camilo Bautista’s team played an impressive game, dominated the match and the scoreboard and at the end of the day, they were victorious 22-8; a win that give them the opportunity to play for a spot in the final, if they eventually defeat La Hache, next Sunday.
La Hache and Hiper Polo came up next. The contest kicked off with a close 1-1 tie, until La Hache took off in a remarkable second chukka – they outscored Hiper 4-0, and the scoreboard read a 5-1 lead for the Ulloa-Panelo foursome. Although Hiper managed to get closer in the score, with goals by Torito Ruiz and Teo Lacau, La Hache replied quickly through goals by Hilario Ulloa and Tomás Panelo, to make it at 7-3. In the last seconds of the fourth chukka, Hiper was awarded with a 30-yards penalty which was successfully converted by Torito Ruiz, and by half time, La Hache were 7-4 up.
In the two following chukkas, La Hache managed to earn significant differences; by the end of the sixth chukka, they had a commanding 11-4 lead. However, Hiper seemed to bounce back, and after two penalty conversions by Torito Ruiz, they closed the gap to five goals. La Hache remained in the lead, though (11-6), but the had slowed down a bit with regards to the first chukkas.
Although La Hache maintaned the advantage, Hiper kept pushing. Torito Ruiz produced four goals in the seventh chukka, and now La Hache were four goals ahead (12-8), with one chukka left. That last chukka started with a great goal from Toly Ulloa’s mallet, to widen La Hache’s advantage, followed by a penalty conversion by Benjamin Panelo, to ensure La Hache a 13-8 lead. With only 3 minutes in the clock, Hiper were far from giving up – Fran Elizalde scored a great neckshot goal, but the clock was running too fast. Hiper did their best to overcome the result, but there was only time for a second goal by Fran. Their efforts didn’t pay off, and La Hache claimed a 14-10 win. Still unbeaten, on top of their League, now they will have the opportunity to fight for a spot in the final against Las Monjitas.
THE 86th. TORTUGAS OPEN WILL RESUME SATURDAY OCTOBER 31 AND SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1, WITH THE FOLLOWING ORDER OF PLAY:
- SATURDAY OCTOBER 31
1pm: Don Ercole vs. La Zeta Kazak
4pm: Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu vs. La Natividad La Dolfina (League A decider)
- SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1
1pm: La Aguada vs. La Irenita
4pm: Las Monjitas vs. La Hache (League B decider)
THE FINAL OF THE 86th. TORTUGAS OPEN IS SET TO BE PLAYED ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7.