The 117th final of the Argentine Polo Open at the Campo Argentino de Polo in Palermo, Buenos Aires saw Ellerstina beat La Dolfina 14-13. It also meant Adolfo Cambiaso, considered the greatest Polo player of all times, was left trophy-less. The lead changed throughout the match and coming into the final chukkas everything seemed to show it was heading for an extra chukka being tied 13-13 with little time to go. However Facundo Pieres scored the decisive final goal with a perfectly hit 30-yard penalty. It was the first time in six years this tournament was not decided with a supplementary chukka.
Although La Dolfina did everything they could to get a goal back, Ellerstina’s resilient defence and Juan Martin Nero’s controlling of Adolfo Cambiaso made it impossible for them to come back into the game. Cambiaso, La Dolfina’s highest goal-scorer, could only score seven goals in the final, marking this his worst tally in a Palermo final. Gonzalo Pieres was also very important for the champions. He fought hard and won the duel in the midfield and added six goals to the score-line, helping Ellerstina win the match.
It was another typical December day at the Polo grounds for the crowds: heat, hats and high class galore, but not another typical day for Ellerstina, who can feel very proud of themselves after achieving what many have not.
Chukka by chukka: First chukka: Ellerstina 2- La Dolfina 3; Second: Ellerstina 5- La Dolfina 4; Third: Ellerstina 7- La Dolfina 5; Fourth: Ellerstina 7-La Dolfina 7; Fifth: Ellerstina 8 – La Dolfina 10; Sixth: Ellerstina 12- La Dolfina 10; Seventh: Ellerstina 13 – La Dolfina 13; Eighth: Ellerstina 14 – La Dolfina 13.
Ellerstina scorers: Facundo Pieres (6), Gonzalo Pieres(5), Pablo Mac Donough (1), Juan MartÃn Nero (2)
La Dolfina scorers: Adolfo Cambiaso (7), David Stirling (5), Bartolomé Castagnola (1).
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