The final of the Tortugas Open, the first stage of the prestigious Argentine Triple Crown, has been set after Ellerstina claimed a victory on Saturday, and La Dolfina Saudi narrowly defeated RS Murus Sanctus by 11 goals to 10 at Tortugas Country Club on Sunday, October 10. The results mean that the first final of the 2021 Argentine Triple Crown will be the derby of the XXI Century once again – Ellerstina vs. La Dolfina.

The semifinal between La Dolfina Saudi and RS Murus Sanctus was particularly interesting as it was the first time in ten years that Pablo Mac Donough and Juan Martín Nero played against their former team. They joined Corinne Ricard’s organisation in late 2020. As expected, it was a hard fought contest, with both teams giving spectacular performances. La Dolfina Saudi took narrow leads twice in the match, but the game was tied several times – the scoreboard read a 10-all going into the last chukka. RS Murus Sanctus, had Cristian Laprida subbing in for the injured Facundo Sola, and at the start of the sixth, Pablo Mac Donough was replaced by Facundo Fernández Llorente. La Dolfina managed to pull through, and a goal by Francisco Elizalde sealed the deal, securing their place in the final.

As a result, on Saturday, October 16, Ellerstina and La Dolfina are set to play their 11th consecutive final in Tortugas. The Pieres’ team will be looking to retain the title they claimed in 2019 and 2020, while La Dolfina will be fighting to reclaim the titles. While the organisations are the same, there have been significant changes in the lineups: for the first time in 10 years, Pablo Mac Donough and Juan Martín Nero will not be playing a final with La Dolfina. In addition, three men are set to play their ever first Triple Crown final: Matias Torres Zavaleta (who will be subbing in for Ellerstina’s injured Hilario Ulloa), Diego Cavanagh and Francisco Elizalde (La Dolfina Saudi’s new recruits).

Meanwhile, La Dolfina Brava defeated La Irenita 14-9.5. They will face La Natividad for the Subsidiary Sarmiento Cup.

• TORTUGAS OPEN – SEMIFINAL EMILIO DE ANCHORENA CUP – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10:

LA DOLFINA SAUDI 11-10 RS MURUS SANCTUS

La Dolfina Saudi: Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (1 penalty, received a yellow card in the fifth chukka), Francisco Elizalde 9 (3, 1 penalty), David Stirling 10 (1),  Diego Cavanagh 9 (6, 4 penalties). Total: 38.

RS Murus Sanctus: Cristian Laprida 8 (received a yellow card in the fifth chukka), Guillermo Caset 10 (9, five penalties), Pablo Mac Donough 10 (1)* , Juan Martín Nero 10. Total: 38. *(Injured, subbed in for Facundo Fernández Llorente 7 at the start of the sixth chukka).

Score La Dolfina Saudi: 1-1, 3-2, 5-4, 7-6, 8-8, 10-10, 11-10.

Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Guillermo Villanueva.

Third Man: Martín Aguerre.

• TORTUGAS OPEN – SEMIFINAL SUBSIDIARY SARMIENTO CUP – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10

LA DOLFINA BRAVA 14-9.5 LA IRENITA

La Dolfina Brava.: Guillermo Terrera 9 (3 goals), Adolfo Cambiaso Jr. 8 (6, 2 penalties), Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade 8 (2), Alejo Taranco 8 (3). Total: 33.

La Irenita.: Santiago Loza 8 (received a yellow card in the fourth chukka), Segundo Bocchino 7 (1) (received a yellow card in the second chukka), Ignacio Toccalino 8 (6, 5 penalties), Isidro Strada 8. Total: 31.

Score La Dolfina Brava: (0-2.5) 1-2.5, 5-3.5, 7-3,5, 9-4.5, 13-4.5, 14-6.5, 14-9-5.

Umpires: Martín Pascual & Gonzalo López Vargas.

Third Man: Esteban Ferrari.

IMAGES:

Tortugas Open, SF Sarmiento Subsidiary Cup #2, La Dolfina Brava vs. La Irenita

Tortugas Open SF #2, La Dolfina vs. RS Murus Sanctus

The Tortugas Open final is due to be played on Saturday, October 16.  

Tortugas Open – Teams & Fixture