Velay claimed a narrow 10-9 win over La Matera, and were crowned champions of the Copa Municipalidad de Pilar. The final of one of the most significant and competitive tournaments of the season in Argentina, took place on Friday November 6, at the Argentine Association of Polo (AAP) Headquarters, in Pilar, and saw sixteen teams between 24 and 32 goals, compete, that included the six lineups who played the Qualification Tournament and were unable to make it to the Tortugas Open and the Argentine Open.

Velay had a stronger start, earning a 4-0 advantage by the end of the second chukka. However, La Matera bounced back in the third chukka, and managed to remain 3-5 behind. After half time, and led by Guillermo Terrera, La Matera took the lead; by the start of the last chukka, they were 9-7 up. But Velay were determined to overturn the result. They tied the score, and in the last seconds in reguladion time, Felix Esain picked the ball and ran to the goalposts to secure Velay the hard fought 10-9 victory.

COPA MUNICIPALIDAD DE PILAR – FINAL – FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6

VELAY 10-9 LA MATERA

Velay: Facundo Sola 8 (3 penalties), Felipe Miguens 6 (1 goal), Félix Esaín 7 (4, one on Penalty 1), Alfredo Cappella Barabucci 8 (2, one on Penalty 1). Total: 29.

La Matera: Santiago Cernadas 7 (1), Guillermo Terrera 8 (2), Santos Merlos 7 (6 penalties), Jared Zenni 7. Total: 29.

Score Velay: 2-0, 4-1, 5-3, 5-7, 7-9, 10-9.

Umpires: Gonzalo López Vargas & Hernán Tasso.

Third man: José Ignacio Araya.

BPP presented by the AAP: Gurí Akira, ridden by Santos Merlos.

Best Polo Argentino Bred, presented by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Assn.: Open Chilindrina, ridden by Félix Esaín.