Mon 14th Dec 2020Argentine Open Finals Set Ellerstina vs La Dolfina Saudi
The weekend saw an exciting selection of matches being played for the 127th HSBC Argentine Open. The weekend kicked off on Saturday 12 December with RS Murus Sanctus securing a 16-10 win against La Irenita, but it was the second match of the day between La Natividad Las Monjitas and La Dolfina Saudi which everyone was waiting for, firstly because the winner would claim their place in the Final and secondly because it was the first time La Natividad Las Monjitas would be facing the full might of La Dolfina Saudi’s 40 goal line-up. Those expecting a balanced match between the two teams were in for a shock, as La Dolfina Saudi flew out of the starting blocks, with each team member scoring. Despite having been setback with injuries earlier in the season, this familiar foursome demonstrated they had definitely found their form with a 21-10 win. With it they took their place in the Final, a familiar setting for the Cañuelas set-up who have featured in every Argentine Open Final since 2000, except for in 2004, and this year will be extra poignant as it is the last time this famous four will be playing together for La Dolfina Saudi. The only question left was who they would face?
Sunday 12 December, the penultimate day of action for the tournament, started with Los Machitos vs Cría GT – with Los Machitos in need of a win to qualify for the 2021 Triple Crown. It seemed as if Los Machitos would be able to achieve their place in the 2021 Triple Crown, as by half-time they held a 5-3 lead, but Cría GT bounced back in the second chukka tying the scores, it was Magoo Laprida’s tenacity that ultimately secured Cría GT the golden goal in an extra chukka to end the match 9-8.
The second match was the main event of Sunday, as an undefeated Ellerstina faced La Dolfina Polo Ranch – would the 2020 Tortugas and Hurlingham Open champions reign supreme or would the 127th HSBC Argentine Open Final be La Dolfina vs La Dolfina? La Dolfina Polo Ranch certainly gave Ellerstina a run for their money, fighting hard and replying to each and every goal from Ellerstina. La Dolfina Polo Ranch managed to hold Ellerstina back from even scoring in the fourth and fifth chukkas, which saw them begin the sixth chukka with a 9-5 lead. With their goal scoring kick started by Gonzalito Pieres in the sixth chukka, Ellerstina continued to make a comeback in the seventh chukka and outscored their opponents 5-0. As the tension mounted and the scores tied at 13-13, a penalty was awarded to Ellerstina, but Facundo Pieres missed the opportunity and the match was pushed into an extra chukka. La Dolfina Polo Ranch’s Diego Cavanagh made a dash to goal, but it went wide, swiftly followed by Nico Pieres who pounced on the ball and pushed Open Guillermina (who was later named Best Playing Pony) towards the goal posts, where they scored the all-important winning goal and with it took their place in the Final.
Photograph: La Dolfina Saudi will face Ellerstina in the 127th HSBC Argentine Open Final. By Matías Callejo / Prensa AAP
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