The 128th Argentine Open continued on Saturday, November 27, with a match between multiple title holders La Dolfina and Ellerstina. It was a much anticipated game, and it did not disappoint. La Dolfina Saudi played an exquisite game, led by the extraordinary Adolfo Cambiaso, who, at 46, still plays as if he were just 20. Cambiaso and Pelon Stirling played excellently togather, and La Dolfina claimed an epic win at Palermo.
But before that, La Irenita and Alegria Fish Creek went head to head, with the former taking a 14-11 win, their first in the season. La Irenita (with Santiago Cernadas subbing in for Tito Ruiz Guiñazu) was led by Cubi Toccalino, whoplayed well alongside sharp penalty taker Isidro Strada. Once again, Bautista Bayugar excelled for Alegria Fish Creek – the youngster is one of the top scorers of the Open, having scored no less than 24 goals so far. The win gave La Irenita enough points to at least make the playoffs against the winner of the Cámara de Diputados Cup. Alegria Fish Creek, however, will have to play the Qualification Tournament again next year.
Now, back to ground one, where La Dolfina Saudi and Ellerstina battled it out in an extremely important match. This was the first time both teams met in a league game since 2004. A loss would automatically disqualify La Dolfina, but a win would mean that Ellerstina would be on the edge, only able to play for a place in the final if La Dolfina then lost to La Irenita on Thursday, December 2.
La Dolfina Saudi did not have the best week leading up to the match. They suffered a big loss last week against La Ensenada. To make things worse, Diego Cavanagh was injured during the week and had to be replaced by Alejandro Muzzio, who had only a few days to try the horses and play practices. Thus, many favoured Ellerstina, a team that seemed to be in better conditions overall.
But La Dolfina proved their strength once again, arguably playing one of their best games of the season. Adolfo Cambiaso was well supported by Pelón Stirling, Fran Elizalde, and Alejandro Muzzio. The score was pretty level until the third chukka, but from then on Cambiaso & Co took control of the play, mercilessly overwhelming a somewhat dazed and confused Ellerstina. In the fourth, they outscored Ellerstina 5-0, securing an impressive 13-5 lead. While Ellerstina fought hard to make a comeback, La Dolfina Saudi’s did not let up. Halfway into the match, they claimed a ten-goal lead, and by the end of the sixth, they were still leading by eight goals. La Dolfina Saudi scored for the last time in the seventh. Facundo Pieres scored five unanswered goals in the last, but it was too little too late.
La Dolfina Saudi gave a spectacular performance, taking a 16-14 victory. This means that Ellerstina have little hopes of qualifying for the final. If La Dolfina defeat La Irenita in their next game, they will then advance to the final. They will then wait and see if Ellerstina beats La Ensenada on Saturday.
The Argentine Open, sees ten teams up to 39 goals, compete. The final is set for Saturday, December 11. Â
ARGENTINE OPEN – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27 – PALERMO:
La Irenita 14-11 Alegria Fish Creek
La Irenita P. T.:Â Santiago Loza 8, Segundo Bocchino 7 (3 goals), Ignacio Toccalino 8 (3), Isidro Strada 8 (8, 7 penalties). Total: 31.
AlegrÃa Fish Creek:Â Santiago Cernadas 7 (2 goals), Clemente Zavaleta Jr. 7 (1), JoaquÃn Pittaluga 7 (3), Bautista Bayugar 8 (5, 4 penalties). Total: 29.
Score La Irenita:Â 2-0, 3-2, 6-2, 9-4, 10-5, 11-6, 13-8, 14-11.
Umpires: MartÃn Pascual & Gonzalo López Vargas.
Third Man:Â MatÃas Baibiene.
La Dolfina Saudi 16-14 Ellerstina
La Dolfina Saudi P. T.:Â Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (11 goals, 6 penalties, 1 corner), Francisco Elizalde 9 (3), David Stirling 10 (1), Alejandro Muzzio 8 (1). Total: 37.
Ellerstina: Facundo Pieres 10 (9, 3 penalties), Hilario Ulloa 10 (2), Gonzalo Pieres Jr. 9 (2), Alfredo Cappella 8 (1). Total: 37.
Score La Dolfina Saudi  1-2, 3-2, 5-4, 8-5, 13-5, 15-7, 16-9, 16-14.
Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Guillermo Villanueva.
Third Man:Â MartÃn Pascual.
IMAGES:
La Irenita vs Alegria Fish Creek
- SUNDAY GAMES POSTPONED DUE TO RAIN
The Argentine Open was due to resume on Sunday, November 28, but games have been postponed due to poor weather. A new date will be set as soon as weather conditions improve.
La Natividad and Alegria will go head to head. Both teams need a win. A defeat for La Natividad will leave them disqualified, but if they win, they may qualify for a place in the final. Alegria, however, need a win to earn valuable points.
An unbeaten RS Murus Sanctus, with Facundo Sola back in the saddle, will face La Dolfina Brava. Both teams need to win in order to have a chance to play the final.
- ARGENTINE OPEN – POSTPONED DUE TO RAINS, NEW DATE TBA – PALERMO
2pm – La Natividad vs. Alegria
La Natividad: Camilo Castagnola 9, Pablo Pieres 9, Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 9, Ignatius du Plessis 9. Total: 36.
AlegrÃa: AgustÃn Merlos 7, Pedro ZacharÃas 7, Tomás GarcÃa del RÃo 7, Fred Mannix 7. Total: 28.
Umpires:Â MatÃas Baibiene & Guillermo Villanueva
Third Man:Â Rafael Silva.
4,30pm – RS Murus Sanctus vs. La Dolfina BravaÂ
RS Murus Sanctus: Facundo Sola 9, Guillermo Caset 10, Pablo Mac Donough 10, Juan M. Nero 10. Total: 39.
La Dolfina Brava: Guillermo Terrera 9, Adolfo Cambiaso Jr. 8, Tomás Panelo 6, Alejo Taranco 8. Total: 31.
Umpires: MartÃn Pascual & Gastón Lucero.
Third Man: José I. Araya.