The 128th Argentine Open is in full swing, developing in a most unexpected manner, and Saturday, November 20, was not different. The second League A game, on Palermo’s number one ground, was quite a thrilling affair.

The most important tournament of the world sees ten teams up to 39 goals, compete, split in two leagues.

Ellerstina and Alegria Fish Creek opened fire, in a match that saw Ellerstina take an impressive 22-7 win. Alegria Fish Creek was overwhelmed by Ellerstina’s power. Facundo Pieres was lethal in attack, leading his team to an impressive victory.

The next match was very different. Reigning champions La Dolfina Saudi took to the field to play the talented La Ensenada team. The match was much anticipated, and it did not disappoint.

La Ensenada got off to a strong start, surprising Adolfo Cambiaso and his teammates. It was a good match, hard fought by both teams. While the score was tied on several occasions, La Ensenada were a real challenge for La Dolfina. They pressured their opponents while working well as a team.

The match really came to a head in the last two chukkas. The match was tied at 8-all at the start of the seventh chukka. A quick goal by Pelón Stirling finished gave La Dolfina Saudi the lead, butLa Ensenada replied converting two penalties, meaning that they now held a narrow 10-9 advantage with only one chukka remaining.

Zubía scored a field goal, but La Dolfina replied quickly as Cambiaso converted a penalty. Zubía went on to convert another penalty, securing a two goal advantage for La Ensenada (12-10). La Dolfina Saudi pushed back, winning another penalty which was successfully converted by Cambiaso to narrow the difference down to one. La Ensenada were determined to win, and they did it. The bell rang and they young team won the match 12-11.

“We took this match very seriously, and we always knew we could win,” says Alfredo Bigatti. “We didn’t play that well against Chapaleufu, so the plan was to stay focused. The key was to not fall behind in the score. It is amazing to play against Cambiaso, everybody knows what it means to play against him. The score can be tied in the last chukka, but Cambiaso rises in difficult situations. Fortunately, we were able to control that.”

Ernesto Gutiérrez, La Ensenada’s owner, stated: “This win marks a turning point. Beating La Dolfina is a good starting point. I think the boys were ready to win today. Perhaps they were too confident in their previous game against Chapaleufu. That match taught them a lesson. They learnt how to play, and realised against who they were playing. That’s why they made changes in the first chukka today, and they played one of their best matches ever.”

The final of the Argentine Open is set for Saturday December 11.  

 

  • ARGENTINE OPEN – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20 – PALERMO

ELLERSTINA 22-7 ALEGRIA FISH CREEK

Ellerstina: Facundo Pieres 10 (10 goals, 7 penalties, received a yellow card in the sixth chukka), Hilario Ulloa 10 (6), Gonzalo Pieres Jr. 9 (6), Alfredo Cappella 8. Total: 37.

Alegría Fish Creek: Juan Ruiz Guiñazú 8, Clemente Zavaleta Jr. 7, Joaquín Pittaluga 7 (2), Bautista Bayugar 8 (5, 3 penalties, 1 corner).Total: 30.

Score Ellerstina: 4-1, 5-2, 8-2, 9-3, 12-5, 15-5, 19-5, 22-7.

Umpires: Matías Baibiene & Guillermo Villanueva.

Third Man: Rafael Silva.

 

LA ENSENADA 12-11 LA DOLFINA SAUDI

La Ensenada Brubank: Juan Britos 9 (6, 3 goals, one penalty 1), Alfredo Bigatti 8, Juan Martín Zubía 8 (6, 2 penalties) Jerónimo del Carril 8. Total: 33.

La Dolfina Saudi: Adolfo Cambiaso  10 (5, 2 penalties, 2 corner), Francisco Elizalde 9 (1), David Stirling 10 (5, 1 penalty 1),  Diego Cavanagh 9. Total: 38.

Score La Ensenada: 2-0, 3-2, 4-4, 5-6, 6-7, 7-8, 10-9, 12-11.

Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Martín Pascual.                            

Third Man: José I. Araya.

 

IMAGES:

Ellerstina vs Alegria Fish Creek

La Ensenada vs La Dolfina Saudi

Argentine Open: Day 5

 

The Argentine Open resumes on Sunday, November 21: 

2pm: RS Murus Sanctus vs. Chapaleufu

RS Murus Sanctus: Facundo Fernández Llorente 7, Guillermo Caset 10, Pablo Mac Donough 10, Juan Martín Nero 10. Total: 37.

Chapaleufú: Rufino Bensadón 7, Juan Martín Zavaleta  8, Julián de Lusarreta 7, Felipe Dabas 7. Total: 29.

Umpires: Martín Pascual & Gonzalo López Vargas.

Third Man: Matías Baibiene.

 

4,30pm: La Natividad vs. La Dolfina Brava

La Natividad: Camilo Castagnola 9, Pablo Pieres 9, Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 9, Ignatius du Plessis 9. Total: 36.

La Dolfina Brava: Guillermo Terrera 9, Adolfo Cambiaso Jr. 8, Tomás Panelo 6, Alejo Taranco 8. Total: 31.

Umpires: Guillermo Villanueva & Gastón Lucero.

Third Man: Martín Pascual.

 

128° ABIERTO ARGENTINO DE POLO: Fixture & Teams