Chapaleufu defeated La Irenita II by 12 goals to 10 to claim the one of the two remaining spots in the Argentine Open. Chapaleufu ran out the winners of League A after winning the match at the Argentine Association of Polo, in Pilar, on Sunday, October 30.
The tournament sees seven teams, between 28 and 30 goals, compete. Teams are split into two leagues. The winner of each league will qualify for the most important polo competition in the world.
La Irenita took control of the game from the start, but their reign lasted until the fourth chukka, when Chapaleufu managed to tie the match 7-all. Two consecutive ties followed, with both teams fighting hard. In the last chukka, Julián de Lusarreta and Rufino Bensadon scored a goal a piece, giving Chapaleufu the victory and ultimately, a place in the Argentine Open.
This marks the comeback of a legendary organisation, albeit with a different lineup. Two young, talented boys will be making their debut in the Argentine Open: Rufino Bensadon and Felipe Dabas. It is worth noting that Rufino was the top scorer of the match, with eight goals. Of course, Heguy blood also runs in Rufino’s veins.
QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENT – CHAPALEUFU vs. LA IRENITA II (PILAR) – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31:
Chapaleufú: Rufino Bensadón 7 (8 goals, 7 penalties), Juan MartÃn Zavaleta 8 (2), Julián de Lusarreta 7 (1), Felipe Dabas 7 (1). Total: 29.
La Irenita II: Facundo Fernández Llorente 7, Tomás Fernández Llorente, 7 (4 goals, received a yellow card in the sixth chukka), MartÃn Podestá 7 (1), Juan AgustÃn Garcia Grossi 7 (2 penalties). Total: 28.
Score Chapaleufú: 1-2, 2-5, 3-6, 7-7, 8-8, 10-10, 12-10.
Umpires:Â MatÃas Baibiene & MartÃn Aguerre.
Third Man:Â Rafael Silva.
Cover photo: Matias Callejo / AAP
The last team to qualify for the Open will come to light on Monday, November 1. La Aguada and La Esquina (both already out of the running) play at 2pm, while Alegria Fish Creek face La Fija at 4,30pm.
Alegria Fish Creek currently top League B. They are followed by La Aguada and La Fija.
However, if La Aguada wins, three teams – La Aguada, Alegria Fish Creek and La Fija – will be tied on points. In this case, La Fija must defeat Alegria Fish Creek by five or more goals to make the cut. If La Esquina wins, however, the winner of the match between Alegria Fish Creek and La Fija will qualify for the Open.
QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENT – LEAGUE B – MONDAY NOVEMBER 1 (PILAR)
- 2pm: LA AGUADA vs. LA ESQUINA
La Aguada: Mariano González 7, Manuel Elizalde 7, Miguel Novillo Astrada 8, Tomás Beresford 7. Total: 29.
La Esquina: Pascual Sáinz de Vicuña 6, Valerio Zubiaurre 7, Cristian Laprida (h) 8, Ignacio Laprida 8. Total: 29.
- 4,30pm: ALEGRIA FISH CREEK vs. LA FIJA
AlegrÃa Fish Creek: Juan Ruiz Guiñazú 8, Clemente Zavaleta Jr. 7, JoaquÃn Pittaluga 7, Bautista Bayugar 8. Total: 30.
La Fija: Raúl Colombres 7, Ezequiel MartÃnez Ferrario 7, Ignacio Negri 7, Felipe Vercellino 7. Total: 28.
Qualification Tournament – Teams & Fixture