By Jorge Andrades
La Dolfina took revenge of their mediocre performances this season demolishing La Aguada 18-13 in the decisive match for the B zone of the 116th Argentine Open in Palermo. The encounter had been suspended last Saturday at 52 seconds of the first chukker as a result of the poor state of the main field of the “Cathedral of Polo†due to the rain. The winners will clash next Saturday against Ellerstina in what will be the second edition of the “perfect†80 goals official duel.
“Many people said we were death, but we demonstrated we are alive†–said Adolfo Cambiaso, the outstanding man of the match and also the top scorer with 11, after having played a brilliant game, showing why he is considered the best player in the world.
La Aguada started playing well as a team, doing things simple and winning the midfield with Miguel Novillo Astrada as their play maker. On the other side, La Dolfina had many problems with the ball, committed errors in defense and lacked of team work. As a consequence of that, by the end of the second chukker the losers were 3-0 ahead but the difference in the score could have been widest.
But Monteverde and Aguerre improved their tasks in the next two periods and from them started the winners´ reaction who managed to put 7-5 by the half time.
La Aguada came from behind to equalize 8- 8 in the fifth chukker, but from that moment up to the final bell everything was for La Dolfina which put up their best performance in 2009 bolstered by an inspired Adolfo Cambiaso who scored superb goals, showing his speedy horses and his skills with the ball.
Nevertheless, “Dolfi†was very well helped by his team mates who literally “recovered their memory†and gave a great polo lesson, annulling La Aguada which could do less against their superiority.
TEAMS
La Dolfina (18 ):Adolfo Cambiaso 10, Lucas Monteverde 10, Mariano Aguerre 10, Bartolomé Castagnola 10. Total,40
La Aguada ( 13 ): Javier Novillo Astrada 9, Eduardo Novillo Astrada jr 9, Miguel Novillo Astrada 10, Ignacio Novillo Astrada 9.Total,37.
Scorers: La Dolfina :Adolfo Cambiaso 11-4 pen, Lucas Monteverde 3, Mariano Aguerre 4.
La Aguada: Javier Novillo Astrada 2, Eduardo Novillo Astrada jr. 2, Miguel Novillo Astrada 2, Ignacio Novillo Astrada 7-4 pen
Chukker scores: La Dolfina 0-1,0-3,4-5,7-5,8-8,12-10,16-12,18-13.