Resuming action in the 130th Hurlingham Open at Palermo, La Dolfina Saudi (Adolfo Cambiaso, David “Pelon” Stirling, Poroto Cambiaso, Juan Martin Nero) went head-to-head against Ellerstina Yellow Rose (Nicolas Pieres, Gonzalo Pieres, Rodrigo R. de Andrade, Ignatius du Plessis) for the first spot in the Ayshire Cup semifinals.
Fresh of a commanding victory in the quarterfinals, La Dolfina Saudi were back in action as the Cambiaso’s controlled the first half offensive play. Three field goals off the mallet of Adolfo were complimented with Poroto shooting 68% from the penalty line. Pinning Ellerstina Yellow Rose on defense, Gonzalo Pieres managed to generate three-goals, but La Dolfina Saudi’s balanced effort allowed them to take a 5-3 lead at the half.
Regrouping in the tent, Ellerstina Yellow Rose emerged with a renewed vigor, as goals from du Plessis and de Andrade brought them back within two. Following a scoreless sixth, the Cambiaso’s once more ignited a late game push, with a crucial field goal from Nero ultimately sealing the victory for La Dolfina 11-7.
Battling for a semifinal position in the subsidiary Drysdale Cup, La Irenita Clinova (Facundo F. Llorente, Tomas F. Llorente, Matias Torres Zavaleta, Isidro Strada) faced Cría La Dolfina (Guillermo Terrera, Tomas Panelo, Diego Cavanagh, Alejo Taranco).
Each taking 11 shots from the field in the first half, Cría La Dolfina narrowly managed to outscore their opponents in open play, including three from Panelo. Running into foul troubles, Cría La Dolfina opened the door for La Irenita Clinova to keep themselves in contention, as conversions from Zavaleta and Strada saw the two evenly matched teams enter the break tied 5-all.
Shooting 37.5% in the second half, Cría La Dolfina began to pull away from their opponents with three unanswered goals in the fifth chukka. Converting 3 of 5 attempts at the line combined with an efficient defensive effort saw Cría La Dolfina hold La Irenita Clinova to just three shots from the field to seize the 11-9 win.
Upcoming Schedule
Sunday, October 1
La Hache Cría & Polo vs La Ensenada (Subsidiary Drysdale Cup Semifinal)
La Natividad vs La Hache (Hurlingham Open for the Ayshire Cup Semifinal)
Photo Credit: ©Matías Callejo/Prensa AAP