The first finalist of the Tortugas Open, the first leg of the Argentine Triple Crown, has come through. Current title holders Ellerstina beat RS Murus Sanctus 15-13 in a spectacular semifinal game at the Alfredo Lalor Headquarters of the Argentine Association of Polo, in Pilar. No spectators are allowed into the grounds, and official media can only enter under strict hygiene and safety protocols.
Ellerstina and RS Murus Sanctus played a very tight match. RS Murus Sanctus won the first chukka, while the second ended tied 4-all. Ellerstina took control of the reins in the next two chukkas, going into half time with a four goal advantage (9-5). RS Murus Sanctus managed to close the gap in the fifth, outscoring the defending champions 3-1. The scoreboard told of a 10-8 advantage in favour of Ellerstina.
A thrilling sixth chukka followed, with many goals and great plays, finalising in a 12-all tie with only one chukka left to play. But Ellerstina fought back, scoring two consecutive goals, courtesy of Nico and Facundo Pieres, to retake the lead (14-12). While Fran Elizalde scored to keep RS Murus Sanctus’ hopes alive, Facundo Pieres converted his ninth goal of the day to seal the deal, earning Ellerstina a place in the championship match.
Earlier in the day, in the semifinal of the Subsidiary Sarmiento Cup, La Natividad Las Monjitas defeated La Irenita, (who received 7 goals on handicap) 19-16. The match saw Jeta Castagnola and Polito Pieres play their best polo, scoring 11 and 7 goals each, respectively.
SEMIFINAL TORTUGAS OPEN: ELLERSTINA 15-13 RS MURUS SANCTUS
Ellerstina: Facundo Pieres 10 (9 goals, 6 on penalties), Hilario Ulloa 10 (2), Gonzalo Pieres 9, Nicolás Pieres 10 (4). Total: 39.
RS Murus Sanctus: Facundo Sola 9 (3 goals), Francisco Elizalde 8 (2), Sapo Caset 10 (8, 5 on penalties), Alfredo Cappella Barabucci 8. Total: 35.
Score Ellerstina: 1-2, 4-4, 7-5, 9-6, 10-8, 12-12, 15-13.
Umpires: Guillermo Villanueva & Gastón Lucero. Third man: Esteban Ferrari.
BPP Polo Argentino: Antu Walung Any Chica (Vision x Any), played by Sapo Caset.
Nominees:Â
Open Chequera (Sportivo x Open Cheta), played by Facundo Pieres.
Lovelocks Wimbledon (Open El Padrino x Fina Inglesa), played by Nicolás Pieres.
SEMIFINAL SUBSIDIARY (SARMIENTO CUP): LA NATIVIDAD MONJITAS 19-16 LA IRENITA
La Natividad-Las Monjitas: Camilo Castagnola 8 (11 goals, 4 on penalties), Polito Pieres 10 (7), Bartolomé Castagnola 9, Nachi Du Plessis 9 (1). Total: 36.
La Irenita: Juan Gris Zavaleta 8 (4, 1 on penalties), MartÃn Podestá 7 (1), Facundo Fernández Llorente 7 (1), Juan MartÃn ZubÃa 8 (3, 2 on penalties). Total: 30.
Score La Natividad-Las Monjitas: (0-7) 4-8, 9-10, 11-10, 13-11, 14-12, 18-14, 19-16.
Umpires: MartÃn Pascual and Gonzalo López Vargas.               Â
Third man: MatÃas Baibiene.
BPP Polo Argentino: Arroba Mariana (River Slaney x MarÃa Luján), played by Camilo Castagnola.
Nominees: Espi Pulpera (Open Xenon x Espi Plusmania), played by Camilo Castagnola.
The Tortugas Open resumes on Friday, with the two remaining semifinals:
11am, Subsidiary Sarmiento Cup: La Ensenada La Aguada vs. Los Machitos (MartÃn Aguerre Jr. will replace Mariano Aguerre, due to an injury in a rib)
4pm, Tortugas Open Semifinal: La Dolfina (Iñaki Laprida will fill in for Pelon Stirling, who has a pulled thigh muscle) vs. La Dolfina Polo RanchÂ
TORTUGAS COUNTRY CLUB OPEN: Fixture & Teams
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