Ellerstina go to Argentine Open final
By Herbert Spencer
Ellerstina Etiqueta Negra defeated La Aguada BMW 14-11 in the 117th Argentine Open Championship at Palermo Sunday to gain a place in the finals on 11 December against old rivals La Dolfina, the reigning champions.
The victory of the Pieres’s Ellerstina over the Novillo Astrada’s La Aguada was never much in doubt. Ellerstina have not lost a single game in this year’s Triple Crown series, having won the Tortugas and Hurlingham Opens, and they are the world’s only 40-goal team.
La Aguada’s handicap was down to 36 with 9-goaler Javier Novillo Astrada sidelined with an ankle injury. Javier was replaced by the youngest of the Novillo Astrada brothers, 8-goaler Alejandro.
Despite La Aguada’s substitution, however, the team put up a creditable performance. Ellerstina led throughout the first half, but never by more than a goal or two. La Aguada managed to equalise 8-8 in the fifth chukka until Ellerstina recovered the lead to end that period 10-8.
Ellerstina pulled ahead, leading by four goals in the sixth and seventh chukkas, and finished the match only three goals ahead. Facundo Pieres was high scorer for the victors with 10 goals, including 4 from penalty conversions and a corner.