The best polo in the world is back! The Argentine high goal finally kicked off with two matches for the Tortugas Open, the first leg of the Argentine Triple Crown. Ellerstina and RS Murus Sanctus emerged victorious, defeating La Irenita and La Natividad, respectively. The second game, between RS Murus Sanctus and La Natividad Las Monjitas, was particularly anticipated.
Due to strict hygiene measures, few people are allowed into the Alfredo Lalor grounds in Pilar – teams are allowed to bring up to 51 people each, including players and staff. One of the biggest attractions of the opening day was Hilario Ulloa’s debut in Ellerstina. Juan Gris Zavaleta’s comeback to La Irenita’s after a couple of years absence was also noteworthy, as was seeing Facundo Fernández Llorente’s representing La Irenita, a team he has been linked to for many years, seeing the addition of Juan MartÃn ZubÃa, and Min Podestá, a newcomer in the Triple Crown, However, as expected, Ellerstina dominated the match, displaying perfect teamwork from the start.
A couple of hours later, as required by health and safety measures, RS Murus Sanctus took on La Natividad Las Monjitas. It was a hard fought match; RS Murus Sanctus managed to hold the advantage throughout, until La Natividad Las Monjitas tied the game 7-all at the beginning of the seventh. But RS Murus Sanctus scored three unanswered goals to seal the deal and qualify for the semifinals.
La Dolfina are set to make their debut on Monday, however, with two major absences. First, Juan MartÃn Nero dropped out following a broken collarbone and fractured left wrist, and now, Pablo Mac Donough has pulled his thigh muscle. While he won’t be able to play against La Ensenada La Aguada, the Daireaux-based player is not out of the competition yet.
ELLERSTINA 21-8 LA IRENITA
Ellerstina: Facundo Pieres 10 (9 goals, 2 from penalties, 1 from a safety 60), Hilario Ulloa 10 (7), Gonzalo Pieres 9 (2), Nicolás Pieres 10 (3). Total: 39.
La Irenita: Juan Gris Zavaleta 8 (1 goal), MÃn Podestá 7, Facundo Fernández Llorente 7 (3), Juan MartÃn ZubÃa 8 (4 penalties). Total: 30.
Score Ellerstina: 3-2, 7-2, 12-2, 14-4, 15-5, 20-6, 21-8.
Umpires: Guillermo Villanueva and Gonzalo López Vargas.     Â
Third man: MatÃas Baibiene.
BPP Polo Argentino: Open Exclusiva (Sportivo x Open Guillermina), played by Facundo Pieres.
RS MURUS SANCTUS 13-10 LA NATIVIDAD MONJITAS
RS Murus Sanctus: Facundo Sola 9 (6 goals), Francisco Elizalde 8 (2), Sapo Caset 10 (4), Alfredo Cappella Barabucci 8 (1). Total: 35.
La Natividad-Las Monjitas: Camilo Castagnola 8 (6 goals), Pablo Pieres 10, Barto Castagnola 9 (2), Nachi Du Plessis 9 (2). Total: 36.
Score RS Murus Sanctus: 2-1, 4-3, 7-4, 8-6, 9-8, 10-9, 13-10.
Umpires: MartÃn Aguerre and Gastón Lucero.             Â
Third man: MartÃn Pascual.
BPP Polo Argentino: Open Soviética (Sportivo x Rusita), played by Facundo Sola.
Nominated: Antu Walung Galleta (Vision x Galleta), played by Sapo Caset.Â
The Tortugas Country Club Open continues on Monday:
11am: La Dolfina Saudi vs La Ensenada La Aguada
4pm: La Dolfina Polo Ranch vs Los MachitosÂ
TORTUGAS COUNTRY CLUB OPEN: Fixture & Teams
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