By Jorge Andrades
In a windy and cold afternoon at the Palermo polo fields, Ellerstina Etiqueta Negra outclassed Pilara Piaget 15-13 to gain a place for the final of the 116th edition of the Argentine Open. Despite of having lost against Indios Chapaleufu II last Wednesday, the last Champions reached the decisive encounter due to their best goal difference (+ 1) and will face the winners of the suspended match between La Dolfina and La Aguada.
Indios Chapaleufu II also downed Alegrìa 15-14 in the previous match which was messy and boring. The three brothers Heguy team had to work hard to overcome AlegrÃa which played again above their handicaps, but as said the actions resulted poor as there were many fouls and stoppages, with shouts and arguments among players and umpires. David Stirling outstood for the winners whose efforts were not enough.
The duel played on the number one field was open, speedy and superbly played during most of the time. After an even first chukker, Pilara Piaget scored six goals in a row to come from behind and put ahead 8-5 in the start of the fourth period, but then Ellerstina answered with a 7-0 to take the lead again 13-8.
After three chukkers without having scored a goal, Chavanne and Sebastian Merlos discounted to put the losers 10-13 behind by the end of the seventh. The last seven minutes resulted exciting as Pilara would reach the final even by losing by one goal while Ellerstina needed a two goals difference. Thus both teams went goal-to-goal, sharing deep attacks and high class polo which drew steady applauses from the crowd. The last goal scored for the losers by Marcos Heguy just 68 seconds to go, was not enough for them…the final 15-13 qualified the last champions who will go for their second title in a row and the Triple Crown.
TEAMS:
Indios Chapaleufú II (15) : Alberto Heguy jr. 8, Ignacio Heguy 9, David Stirling jr. 8, Eduardo Heguy 9.Total, 34
AlegrÃa (14): Frederick Mannix jr. 6, Francisco Bensadón 8, Juan I. Merlos 9, Luke Tomlinson 8. Total, 31
Scorers: Indios Chapaleufu II Alberto Heguy jr. 2, Ignacio Heguy 3, David Stirling jr. 4, Eduardo Heguy 6-4 pen. AlegrÃa: Frederick Mannix jr. 1, Francisco Bensadón 3, Juan I. Merlos 1, Luke Tomlinson 9-8 pen.
Chukker scores: Ãndios Chapaleufu II 1-1,3-1,3-3,7-5,9-7,10-10,13-11,15-14.
Ellerstina (15): Facundo Pieres 10, Gonzalo Pieres jr 10, Pablo Mac Donough 10, Juan MartÃn Nero 10. Total,40
Pilará Piaget (13): Agustin Merlos 10, Santiago Chavanne 8, Sebastián Merlos 9, Marcos Heguy 10. Total, 37
Scorers: Ellerstina: Facundo Pieres 10-6 pen, Gonzalo Pieres jr 1, Pablo Mac Donough 1, Juan MartÃn Nero 3.Pilará Piaget: Agustin Merlos 7-4 pen-1 corner, Santiago Chavanne 1, Sebastián Merlos 2, Marcos Heguy 3.
Chukker scores: Ellerstina 2-1,5-1,6-5,8-8,9-8,12-8,13-10,15-13.