Mon 18th Nov 2024Thrilling Weekend in 131st Argentine OpenWins for La Hache Cría & Polo, La Zeta Kazak, Indios Chapaleufu & Ellerstina UAE Yellow Rose
The 131st Argentine Polo Open Championship has been exceptional, filled with both predictable outcomes and surprising results. On 15 – 16 November, La Hache Cría & Polo, La Zeta Kazak, and Indios Chapaleufu secured wins over La Aguada, Cría La Dolfina, and La Hache, respectively, despite intense heat. La Hache Cría & Polo faced La Aguada on November 15. Both teams had similar handicaps (La Hache Cría & Polo 31, La Aguada 29), leading to a tight start with La Aguada ahead 3-2. However, Joaquín Pittaluga spearheaded a surge from the second chukka, putting La Hache Cría & Polo up 13-3 by half-time. Despite efforts from Pedrinho Zacharias and Facundo Llosa, La Aguada couldn’t quite close the gap, and La Hache Cría & Polo won 18-15. On Saturday 16 November, La Zeta Kazak played Cría La Dolfina. Cría La Dolfina led early, but Nico Pieres kept La Zeta Kazak close – with two previous losses La Zeta Kazak needed the win to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Triple Crown. They entered the last chukka trailing 12-11, and a fierce battle ensued. Pieres tied the game at 12-12 and despite a quick response from Bautista Bayugar, Matías Torres Zavaleta equalised again. With just four seconds left, 17-year-old Beltrán Lauhlé clinched a 14-13 victory for La Zeta Kazak. In the second match on Saturday, Indios Chapaleufu, featuring Cruz Heguy’s impressive nine goal performance, overcame La Hache. Polito Pieres scored first for La Hache, but Chapaleufu dominated thereafter, leading 14-12 by the final chukka. Heguy’s penalty goals sealed a 16-13 win. On Sunday 17 November, despite rain, Ellerstina UAE Yellow Rose defeated La Ensenada Dietrich 18-13, eliminating La Ensenada’s chances for the Final. Led by Lukín Monteverde, Ellerstina outscored La Ensenada 10-3 in the last three chukkas, claiming The Johnnie Walker Cup and joining La Dolfina Saudi at the top of Zone B. The 131st HSBC Argentine Open Teams: La Aguada (29): Facundo Llosa (7), Pedro Zacharias (8), Felipe Vercellino (7) & Pedro Falabella (7) La Zeta Kazak (28): Beltran Laulhe (6), Lorenzo Chavanne (6), Nico Pieres (8) & Matias Torres Zavaleta (8) La Natividad (40): Facundo Pieres (10), Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola (10), Pablo Mac Donough (10) & Bartolomé Castagnola (10) Indios Chapaleufú Vista Energy (31): Antonio Heguy (7), Victorino Ruiz Jorba (8), Cruz Heguy (8) & Teodoro Lacau (8) Ellerstina UAE Yellow Rose (35): Guillermo Caset (9), Lucas Monteverde (8), Gonzalo Pieres (9) & Ignatius du Plessis (9) Cría La Dolfina (32): Rufino Bensadón (8), Diego Cavanagh (8), Alejo Taranco (8) & Bautista Bayugar (8) La Dolfina Saudi (38): Guillermo Terrera (8), David ‘Pelon’ Stirling (10), Adolfo Cambiaso (10) & Juan Martin Nero (10) La Hache Cría & Polo (31): Benjamín Panelo (7), Carlos M. Ulloa (8), Facundo Sola (8) & Joaquín Pittaluga (8) La Hache P. T. (36): Polito Pieres (9), Hilario Ulloa (9), Francisco Elizalde (9) & Tomás Panelo (9) La Ensenada Dietrich (36): Juan Britos (9), Alfredo Bigatti (9), Juan Martin Zubía (9) & Jerónimo del Carril (9) Photograph: Ellerstina UAE Yellow Rose beat La Ensenada Dietrich 18-13 yesterday, Sunday 17 November. By Matías Callejo / Prensa AAP |