Ellerstina wins Hurlingham Open
By Jorge Andrades
“I think it was not a good match, but we had to win it and we did it. It was the final of the Hurlingham Open!†said Gonzalo Pieres jr., the best figure of the decisive encounter of the 116th edition of the Hurlingham Open, where his team, Ellerstina, took revenge of their last defeat in the high handicap season in Argentina, outclassing La Aguada 14-12 to obtain the eldest tournament in the world.
The postponed final was played under a dark and rainy sky, and with their triumph, brothers Pieres´s squad continues with chances in obtaining the Triple Crown as they had also gained the Tortugas Open.
Number two shirt of the winners, who not only scored a couple of high class goals but also fought in the midfield when Ellerstina lacked of team work, described exactly the game as it did not result as good as expected. The more than 30 fouls committed by the players and the continuous whistles interrupted the actions which were messy during most of the time.
Just the small difference in the score and the changes on the lead in the seventh chukka captured the interest of the spectators who, despite of the bad weather, supported the game.
After a two tied first periods, Ellerstina won the third 3-1 to take a three goals leading margin. Far from giving up the fight, the Novillo Astrada brothers did their best from that moment and started to narrow the gap and when the sixth chukka started, the losers managed to put just one goal behind (7-8). During this period, Ignacio Novillo Astrada missed three goals in a row (two of them were excellently stopped by Facundo Pieres on the line of his goal posts), but in a counter-attack Facundo netted to increase the lead for the winners. Nevertheless, Javier Novillo Astrada, who also played a great match and was awarded as the M.V.P, discounted again (8-9).
The seventh period was the best of the match, with 7 goals and changes on the lead. In fact, after having been six periods behind, La Aguada scored three goals in a row to put 11-10 ahead, but Ellerstina reacted immediately and with an excellent performance by Gonzalo Pieres jr., they imitated their rivals to finish the chukka leading 13-11.
The last game was played nervously and thus there were many fouls and technical fouls as a result of the continuous arguments among players and umpires. Both teams scored one goal and the victory went for Ellerstina, who deserved it despite not having played well.
TEAMS:
Ellerstina (19): Facundo Pieres 10, Gonzalo Pieres jr 10, Pablo Mac Donough 10, Matias Mac Donough 8. Total, 38
La Aguada (12): Javier Novillo Astrada 9, Eduardo Novillo Astrada 9, Miguel Novillo Astrada 10, Ignacio Novillo Astrada 9. Total, 37
Scorers: Ellerstina : Facundo Pieres 6-2 pen, Gonzalo Pieres jr 3, Pablo Mac Donough 3, Matias Mac Donough 2. La Aguada: Javier Novillo Astrada 4, Eduardo Novillo Astrada 3, Miguel Novillo Astrada 3-1 corner, Ignacio Novillo Astrada 2 pen