Following numerous delays due to bad weather conditions, the 86th. Tortugas Open came to an end on an spectacular sunny Sunday November 8, that saw La Natividad La Dolfina victorious 16-10 over La Hache, in a remarkable contest, that was decided by the Cañuelas-based foursome in the last chukka. La Natividad La Dolfina not only retained the title in Tortugas, but they took another step in search of their main objective – the Argentine Open, due to commence in less than a week, and a second consecutive Triple Crown.
However, it was not that easy for La Natividad La Dolfina this time; in front of them, they had a determined La Hache foursome who were perfectly up to the task and gave their rivals more than one headache. The match saw several ties, and slight advantages for the two of them, that went no further than two goals. By half time, La Natividad La Dolfina were narrowly leading by a 7-6 score.
After a 8-all in the fifth chukka, La Natividad La Dolfina started to seize the reins in the sixth chukka. With goals by Poroto Cambiaso and Jeta Castagnola, they earned a 11-9 advantage. And although Benjamin Panelo converted a 30-yards penalty to close the gap to one goal by the start of the seventh, La Natividad La Dolfina took command – with remarkable goals by Barto Castagnola and Poroto Cambiaso, they finally broke the spell of the two-goal gap – the Cañuelas-based lineup were now 13-10 up, with one chukka left. Quite a distance, but La Hache still maintained their hopes…
Unfortunately for them, La Natividad La Dolfina had another ideas in mind. In the last chukka, a 40-yards penalty conversion by Barto Castagnola and a field goal by Poroto Cambiaso extended the advantage to 15-10, with two and a half minutes left in regulation time. The deal was said and done – well, not that sealed and done yet, because Barto Castagnola put the icing on the cake with a terrific neckshot goal, to secure La Natividad La Dolfina the 16-10 win and the title in Tortugas.
The final of the 86th. Tortugas Open was an extraordinary match, indeed; perhaps the best of the season up-to-date. However, it took a while for La Natividad La Dolfina to win their 20th. title; we’re used to see the Cañuelas boys sweeping all their opponents, but at the end of the day, they always have the trump card. They were wise enough to find the right moment to do their own thing, and they only needed a bit of the penultimate chukka and definetly the last chukka to achieve their goal.
With regards to La Hache, they didn’t have their rematch, but, beyond the result, they demonstrated that they are already the season’s biggest sensation so far. They were totally fearless of their powerful opponents and presented a tough battle. In addition, it is remarkable for a new team to have played two finals of the current Triple Crown, which is, without doubts, a great encouragement for what’s coming next – Palermo.
86th. TORTUGAS OPEN – FINAL – SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8
LA NATIVIDAD LA DOLFINA 16-10 LA HACHE
La Natividad La Dolfina: Camilo Castagnola 10 (5 goals, 3 penalties and one Penalty 1), Poroto Cambiaso 10 (5, 2 penaties), Adolfo Cambiaso 10, Bartolomé Castagnola Jr.10 (6). Total: 40.
La Hache: Hilario Ulloa 9 (4), Carlos M. Ulloa 8 (2), Benjamín Panelo 8 (2 penalties),Tomás Panelo 9 (2). Total: 34.
Score La Natividad La Dolfina: 1-1, 3-3, 4-3, 6-7, 8-8, 11-9, 13-10, 16-10.
Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Guillermo Villanueva
Third man: Matías Baibiene.
Francisco E. Dorignac MVP: Poroto Cambiaso.
MVP presented by the AAP: Latia Kavaska, ridden by Hilario Ulloa.
Best Polo Argentino Bred presented by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Assn.: Dolfina Copas, ridden by Poroto Cambiaso.
Cover photo by Matías Callejo/Prensa AAP.