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Mon 17th Nov 2014

The 121st Argentine Open is underway

La Dolfina, La Aguada, Ellerstina and Alegria achieve opening wins at Palermo

Despite weather conditions having interfered with Argentina’s polo calendar throughout the season, the opening games of the 121st Argentine Open kicked off over the weekend without any interruption.
Saturday’s programme saw defending champions La Dolfina claim their 21st successive victory, defeating Miramar 17 goals to 6. Due to an injured Pelon Stirling, La Dolfina had to field a slightly different line-up, with Sebastian Merlos stepping into the Number One position. At half time, the score read 6-5, a result of the titleholders taking their time in finding their unbeatable rhythm. The second half however was a completely different story, with La Dolfina increasing their advantage to an incredible 11 goal lead, and a final score of 17-6.
The second match of the day saw La Aguada achieve their first win in a very close contest against Magual. Jaime Garcia Huidobro produced two goals for Magual in the last chukka, taking the score to 10-10 with just minutes to go but La Aguada, it seemed, had kept the best until last. Facundo Sola and Miguel Novillo Astrada demonstrated some solid team play to make the score 11-10, while moments later La Aguada were awarded a penalty. Swiftly converted by Sapo Caset, La Aguada had secured the win, 12 goals to 10.
Sunday’s opening game will be one to remember for the Heguy family, and not for winning reasons. Instead, it was the first time since 1999 that four Heguys had played together at Palermo. Brothers Pepe, Eduardo, Nachi and their cousin Bautista took to the field together, facing the Ellerstina Piaget line-up of the three Pieres and their brother-in-law, Mariano Aguerre. Ellerstina were unable to achieve much of an advantage in the opening chukkas, with Chapaleufu playing some exceptional polo. Drama struck for Ellerstina Piaget when Aguerre’s pony suffered a fall, with Aguerre hurting his shoulder at the same time. Replaced by South African 8 goaler, Nachi Du Plessis, action continued with Du Plessis adapting to the Pieres’ way of play very quickly, helping Ellerstina to achieve a 16-12, with Facundo Pieres’ Open Kodoma winning the Polo Pony Breeders Association.
The final match of the weekend was perhaps one of the most exciting performances of the weekend. Alegria, last year’s Open finalists, were suffering a 6–1 defeat to La Aguada Las Monjitas by the end of the third chukka – a shock to both the Alegria team, and also the spectators. Seemingly unaffected by the pressure or the score, Alegria maintained their composure and returned to the field to produce one of the biggest comebacks of the season. Led by their main man Polito Pieres, the pink shirted side fought back until the very last moment to win 12-11, La Aguada Las Monjitas’ early form completely pushed aside.

Open action will continue next weekend with the programme as follows:
Saturday 22 November
2pm: La Aguada Vs Miramar
4.30pm: La Dolfina Vs Magual
Sunday 23 November
2pm: Alegria Vs Chapaleufu
4.30pm: Ellerstina Vs La Aguada Las Monjitas

Photograph: La Dolfina, defending champions of The Argentine Open. © Eduardo Grunberg/ www.imagesofpolo.com


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