Mon 15th Oct 2018Hurlingham Open UnderwayFew surprises in the league stages
The 125th Hurlingham Club Open is underway in Argentina, with a collection of the world’s best players battling it out for the coveted title. With play going into the second week, there have been few surprises in the league stages, as La Dolfina and Ellerstina secured their first wins with huge 22-8 and 20-4 wins respectively. The biggest surprise of the tournament so far has been the debut win for the young La Ensenada, who kicked off their Hurlingham Club Open with a 12-8 win against Triple Crown regulars (albeit in a slightly amended line-up) Alegría-La Irenita. This team of fresh players, all around the 20-year-old mark, secured The Qualification Tournament to reserve their spot in the Triple Crown. The celebrations following this initial win were however, somewhat dampened, as La Ensenada lost out to La Aguada 14-12 on 13 October. Moving forward into the second week of play, La Aguada and Las Monjitas are leading the charge with two wins apiece, followed by La Dolfina and Ellerstina with one win each. This week will see the big teams battle for the most important matches thus far – the results of which are as follows: 9 October: La Ensenada defeated Alegría-La Irenita,12-8 9 October: La Aguada defeated La Dolfina Polo Ranch, 11-9 10 October: La Albertina Abu Dhabi defeated La Cañada, 10-8 10 October: Las Monjitas defeated Cría Yatay, 14-10 13 October: La Aguada defeated La Ensenada, 14-12 13 October: Ellerstina defeated La Dolfina Polo Ranch, 20-4 14 October: Las Monjitas defeated La Cañada, 20-6 14 October: La Dolfina defeated Cría Yatay 22-8 Play continues tomorrow, 16 October, when La Dolfina Polo Ranch will play La Ensenada and Ellerstina will take on Alegría-La Irenita, whilst the Final is scheduled for Saturday 3 November. The 125th Hurlingham Club Open Teams: La Dolfina Sancor Seguros (40): Adolfo Cambiaso (10), David ‘Pelón’ Stirling (10), Pablo Mac Donough (10) & Juan Martín Nero (10) La Aguada (33): Alejandro Novillo Astrada (8), Alfredo Bigatti (8), Miguel Novillo Astrada (8) & Ignacio Novillo Astrada (9) La Dolfina Polo Ranch (31): Diego Cavanagh (8), Guillermo Terrera (8), Julian ‘Negro’ de Lusaretta (7) & Ignatius du Plessis (8) Alegría-La Irenita (32): Juan M. Zavaleta (8), Clemente Zavaleta (7), Fred Mannix (9) & Matias Mac Donough (8) Las Monjitas (37): Facundo Sola (9), Hilario Ulloa (10), Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset (10) & Santiago Toccalino (8) La Albertina Abu Dhabi (31): Nic Roldan (7), Francisco Elizalde (8), Ignacio Toccalino (8) & Alfredo Cappella Barabucci (8) Ellerstina (40): Polito Pieres (10), Gonzalito Pieres (10), Nico Pieres (10) & Facundo Pieres (10) Cría Yatay (32): Valerio Zubiaurre (8), Christian ‘Magoo’ Laprida (8), Joaquin Pittaluga (8) & Ignacio ‘Iñaki’ Laprida (8) La Ensenada (28): Juan Britos (7), Juan Martín Zubía (7), Facundo Fernandez Llorente (7) & Jeronimo Del Carril (7) La Cañada (28): Agustin Obregon (6), Jared Zenni (6), Sebastian Merlos (8) & Ezequiel Martinez Ferrario (8) In other news, the Association of Argentine Polo (AAP) has announced an updated format for the 2019 Triple Crown Series. Four teams will play in The Tortugas Open, eight will play in The Hurlingham Club Open with direct elimination and The Argentine Open will welcome 10 teams. Alongside The Triple Crown, the new Power of Polo League (not yet confirmed) will take place for teams between 28 to 34 goal handicap. Photograph: La Ensenada have had a strong start to The Hurlingham Club Open. By Matías Calléjo |