Polo Times Magazine Subscribe to Polo Times Home
HomeNewsTournamentsClassifiedsAbout usSubscribeContact
 
 
 
 

Mon 4th Dec 2017

La Dolfina Secures a Fifth Argentine Open Victory

Nail-biting 14-13 win for Cambiaso’s team

As thousands gathered at the iconic Palermo grounds, Buenos Aires, on Saturday 2 December, for the highlight of not only the Argentine high goal season, but the global polo calendar, four-time champions La Dolfina Sancor Seguros and their rivals Ellerstina Johor took to the field. 

Both teams came out fighting with Ellerstina first out the blocks, firing three shots on goal with only one in return from Cambiaso. As the second chukka began 3-1 in Ellerstina’s favour, La Dolfina evened the scoreboard to 3-3, but Polito Pieres scored another strong goal to make it 4-3 back in Ellerstina’s favour once again. La Dolfina were not going to give Ellerstina an inch, let alone a mile, as Cambiaso turned the scoreboard, 5-4, for a La Dolfina lead. As the match continued, the teams continued to exchange the goal scoring hat, with La Dolfina each time notching the important goal to take them one ahead. Polito Pieres scored twice in the fifth chukka, once from the halfway line, putting Ellerstina back in the lead until Cambiaso scored his fifth penalty, once again bringing the scores to an even keel, 8-8. As Ellerstina gave away two more penalties, La Dolfina took advantage of their mistakes, putting a two-point gap between them and their rivals, 10-8 during the sixth chukka. As the game interchanged to and fro, Ellerstina’s successful penalty brought them closer to La Dolfina, 10-9, with a field goal in return from Pablo Mac Donough, 11-9. La Dolfina had winning in their eyes as the seventh chukka drew to a close, scoring a further two goals and bringing their lead to 13-10. 
But, as has now become customary for Ellerstina, they came back fighting, managing to once again even the scoreboard, 13-13, at the end of the eighth chukka and forcing the match into overtime. This was where, unfortunately, Ellerstina momentarily lost concentration, as Polito went for a mid-air shot, which was foiled by Cambiaso. The ball was expertly passed up field to Juan Martín Nero who scored the winning goal, 14-13, and with it the 124th Argentine Open HSBC Polo Championship. 
For his monumental final goal, Juan Martín Nero was awarded the Most Valuable Player Award and Dolfina Clone 09 Cuartetera, owned and played by Cambiaso, was awarded not one, but two Best Playing Pony awards; the Lady Susan Townley and the Breeders Association. 
A full report from the historic Palermo tournament will be in the next issue of Polo Times. Subscribe here now so you don’t miss out!
124th Argentine Open HSBC Polo Championship Final:
La Dolfina Sancor Seguros (40): Adolfo Cambiaso (10), David Stirling (10), Pablo Mac Donough (10) & Juan Martín Nero (10)
Ellerstina Johor (39): Polito Pieres (9), Gonzalito Pieres (10), Facundo Pieres (10) & Nicolás Pieres (10)
 
The Women's Argentine Open was also played on Saturday 2 December. A report will follow online later today.
 
Photograph: La Dolfina Sancor Seguros won their fifth consecutive Argentine Open on Saturday 2 December. By ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Follow Polotimes on Twitter
 

Other top stories


Fri 19th Apr 2024
La Dolfina & Valiente Reach US Open Final
Cambiasos will do battle once again

Wed 17th Apr 2024
Polo Times April Issue Out Now
This issue packed with insights, reports & features

Mon 15th Apr 2024
US Open Polo Championship Semi Finalists
Last spot being decided today

Thu 11th Apr 2024
Synergy Clothing Lift Thai Autumn Cup
Narrow 8-7 win in Final

Wed 10th Apr 2024
Free Pony Changes During Extreme Heat
UK Rule Change

Tue 9th Apr 2024
2024 English High Goal Teams
22 teams will take part in this season

Mon 8th Apr 2024
US Open Polo Championship Update
Today’s action between Dutta Corp vs Valiente

Wed 3rd Apr 2024
Milly Hine & Mia Cambiaso Reach 9 Goals in US
U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship winner & finalist recognised

Tue 2nd Apr 2024
WPL Palm Beach Open Finalists
Travieso vs Casablanca on Sunday 7 April

Mon 1st Apr 2024
US Open Polo Championship Sunday Results
Wins for La Dolfina & Dutta Corp

Tue 26th Mar 2024
The U.S. Open Polo Championship Fixture & Teams
Tournament begins on Wednesday 27 March

Mon 25th Mar 2024
The USPA Gold Cup Final
La Dolfina/ Tonkawa lift trophy in Cambiaso playoff

Fri 22nd Mar 2024
The WPL Founders Cup
Debut Win for Park Place

Thu 21st Mar 2024
2025 Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz Dates


Wed 20th Mar 2024
HPA Polo Assistant Vacancy

See all news in:


End of Polo Times news page

Advertiser information Contact us Subscribe Work for us All information is subject to copyright 2015

Highlights

Latest Classified

Latest Classified

18T Mercedes Axor 2011 HGV Auto Silver. Smart conversion to 10 horse polo box...
 Get into Polo

Get started in polo

Information on how to get started in polo
 Destination of the Month

The global game

Holidays and breaks playing or following polo around the world
 Wallpapers

Online magazine

Login to read current and back issues of the magazine
 Find your nearest club

Club contacts

Find your nearest polo club
Cookies in Use