Sun 18th Oct 2015La Dolfina triumphant in the Tortugas Open The first stage of the Argentine Triple Crown goes to reigning champions
Ellerstina, with their complete set of Pieres boys put up a good fight at the Tortugas Country Club and the Final of the Tortugas Open on 17 October was a close match throughout, but it would take a lot more to beat a hugely determined La Dolfina side.
The team, led by world number one Adolfo Cambiaso, raised the trophy high for the ninth time since 2002, setting them positively on the path for their third consecutive Triple Crown, having remained unbeaten in Argentina for the last two years. Gonzalito Pieres worked hard to close down Cambiaso from the off, succeeding throughout the first two chukkas and helping Ellerstina to maintain the small advantage they gained in the first chukka with the second chukka finishing 4-3 in Ellerstina's favour. This lead was to be short lived as the third chukka saw Cambiaso score three goals without reply from the boys in black and the game was set, La Dolfina always managing to stay at least one goal ahead of Ellerstina. This was not to say that Ellerstina did not have the opportunity. In a fifth chukka riddled by fouls Facundo was given chance after chance to equalize with penalties, but seemed unable to get the ball between the posts, missing six penalties throughout the match, sending it wide or having the misfortune to get caught by the stick of a keen-eyed Juan Martín Nero, posted on the 30 yard line. Unable to keep a lid on Cambiaso, who scored 10 of the 11 La Dolfina goals, it was a game of catch up for Ellerstina, who could only hope to bring the match to a respectable final score. This they managed, with a beautiful 60 yard penalty conversion in the air from Nico, taking over from brother Facundo in the penalty taking. This meant that Ellerstina remained in the game, pressuring the La Dolfina team till the end and making them work hard for it but it wasn’t enough to make up for lost ground. Strong defence from Ellerstina meant no goals from La Dolfina in the last two chukkas, but tight defence from Nero stopped Ellerstina from closing the gap and as the final bell went on the seventh chukka, the match was drawn to a close with a final score of 11-9. The close score was a testament to an even game, where one mistake either way could have meant victory for the opposition, but it was La Dolfina who proved to be the stronger side. Admitting that, “It was a really hard match. Ellerstina are a tough team and we didn’t play well, but we won which is the important thing”, Nero assured Polo Times that, although they would be celebrating that evening, they will be working hard to play better over the next two tournaments.
And so we look to the Hurlingham Open, the next tournament in this trilogy of world class polo. The Hurlingham Open will start Tuesday 20 October, as the Tortugas champions La Dolfina are due to flex their muscles against the newest team on the block, Washington Ghantoot.
The Tortugas Open Final teams: La Dolfina (40): Adolfo Cambiaso (10), David Stirling, Jr. (10), Pablo Mac Donough (10) & Juan Martín Nero (10)
Ellerstina (39): Pablo Pieres (10), Nicolás Pieres (9), Gonzalito Pieres (10) & Facundo Pieres (10) Result: 11-9 to La Dolfina Most Valuable Player: Adolfo Cambiaso Best Playing Pony: Chocolate, ridden by Adolfo Cambiaso Photograph: La Dolfina lift the Tortugas Open Trophy, beating Ellerstina 11-9 in a hard fought Final
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