The Tortugas Open, first leg of the Triple Crown, came to an end after Ellerstina played a brilliant final, at the Alfredo Lalor Grounds of the Argentine Association of Polo, in Pilar, defeating La Dolfina Saudi 16 goals to 6 to claim the title for the second consecutive year.
This match was unusual as La Dolfina Saudi presented a lineup that included Adolfo Cambiaso’s 14-year-old son, Poroto, Brazilian player Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade, and another newcomer Triple Crown final, Iñaki Laprida. The changes are due to unexpected injuries which force their three 10-goalers to drop out: Juan MartÃn Nero, Pablo MacDonough and Pelón Stirling. This tricky situation meant that Adolfo Cambiaso was the only remaining member of the original four still on the field.
Ellestina, on the other hand, showed confidence and demonstrated their best polo, dominating their opponents throughout the first half. Led by a powerful Facundo Pieres, who scored seven goals in the first four chukkas, Ellerstina managed to secure a commanding 10-4 lead for by half time.
Ellerstina’s dominance continued in the following chukkas; newbie Hilario Ulloa fitted in perfectly with the three Pieres brothers, Facundo, Gonzalito and Nicolás. The four players were lethal in defence and attack, shutting down all of La Dolfina Saudi’s attempts to close the gap. Ellerstina widened their advantage chukka after chukka, outscoring their rivals, making it 10-5 with only one chukka remaining.
Halfway through the last chukka, Facundo Pieres scored a spectacular goal from the field to make it 16-5 in favour of Ellerstina. Before the bell, Iñaki Laprida converted a penalty shot for La Dolfina Saudi, but Ellertina claimed the flawless 16-6 victory and retain the title they obtained in 2019.
FINAL TORTUGAS OPEN: ELLERSTINA 16-6 LA DOLFINA SAUDIÂ
Ellerstina: Facundo Pieres 10 (8 goals, 5 on penalties), Hilario Ulloa 10 (4), Gonzalo Pieres 9 (2), Nicolás Pieres 10 (2). Total: 39.
La Dolfina Saudi: Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (3 goals, 2 on penalties), Poroto Cambiaso 6 (1), Rodrigo Andrade 8 (1), Iñaki Laprida 8 (1 penalty). Total: 32.
Score Ellerstina: 4-0, 5-2, 8-3, 10-4, 12-5, 15-5, 16-6.
Umpires: Guillermo Villanueva and Gastón Lucero.   Â
Third man: MartÃn Pascual.
BPP Polo Argentino: Mega Chistosa (Sportivo x Ellerstina SimpatÃa), played by Facundo Pieres.
Nominees:Â
Irenita Trompa (Dolfina Cuarteto x Irenita Trompada). Played by Adolfo Cambiaso.
Top Scorer of the Tournament: Facundo Pieres (26 goals).
SUBSIDIARY FINAL (SARMIENTO CUP): LA ENSENADA LA AGUADA 15.5-12 LA NATIVIDAD MONJITAS
La Ensenada-La Aguada: Segundo Bocchino 6 (2 goals), Alfredo Bigatti 8 (2), MatÃas Torres Zavaleta 8 (2), Jerónimo Del Carril 7 (1). Total: 29.
La Natividad-Las Monjitas: Camilo Castagnola 8 (8, 2 on penalties), Pablo Pieres 10 (1), Bartolomé Castagnola 9 (3), Nachi Du Plessis 9. Total: 36.
Score La Ensenada-La Aguada: (8.5-0) 8.5-3, 9.5-4, 11.5-6, 12.5-9, 12.5-11, 14.5-12, 15.5-12.
Umpires: MatÃas Baibiene and Gonzalo López Vargas.      Â
Third man: MartÃn Aguerre.
BPP Polo Argentino: Elovero Fisura (Beautiful Bob x Soy La Figurita), played by Polito Pieres.
Nominees:Â
Chalo La Luli Pop (Theol x Chalo Bebota), played by Barto Castagnola.
The Triple Crown continued on Saturday with day one of the Hurlingham Open.
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