The grand final for the Pilar Municipality Cup was played on Tuesday, 10/22, a contest in which 21 teams with a handicap of between 24 and 27 goals participated.
In the match, Sol de Agosto defeated La Natividad by 11 to 10, in extra chukker, with a golden goal by Paco de Narváez – a 40-yard penalty – and thus won the title.
In a hard-fought game, Sol de Agosto took the lead in the first four periods, with a great defense by “Santi” Toccalino, a very good game by “Gringo” Colombres and the great efficiency of “Paquito” de Narváez in the execution of fouls. The moment La Natividad got within range, Jesse Bray received his second yellow card and had to leave the field for 2 minutes. It was there when the Cañuelas team achieved the tie at 9 and did not go ahead because unfortunately for them, “Chulo” Guerrero deflected two 60-yard penalties by a few centimeters.
In the sixth period, the Gringo made it 10-9, but with less than 90 seconds to go, “Josecito” Riglos -with a good individual play- sent the game to extra time, where finally Sol de Agosto forced a foul and Paco de Narváez put it in from 40 yards to give his team the title.
At the awards ceremony, Santiago Toccalino was distinguished as the MVP of the final, while on the equine side, Dolfina Matea (played by Jesse Bray) received the blanket from the AAP; and El Overo Alpachina (Félix Esaín) was chosen as the Best Player Product Registered Argentine Polo Breed by the AACCP.
The finalist teams and progression:
August Sun: Raúl Colombres (h) 7 (3 goals, one from Penalty 1), Jesse Bray 6 (2), Paco de Narváez 6 (5, four from a penalty) and Santiago Toccalino 7 (1). Total: 26.
The Natividad: José Riglos (n) 6 (2, one penalty), Ricardo Garrós (h) 6 (2), Félix Esaín 6 (2) and Javier Guerrero (h) 6 (4 penalties). Total: 24.
August Sun: 1-2, 3-2, 5-3, 8-6, 9-9, 10-10 and 11-10.
Yellow Cards: Javier Guerrero (Chukker 3); Raúl Colombres (Chukker 4); and two for Jesse Bray (Chukkers 4 and 5).
Judges: Gonzalo López Vargas and José I. Araya. Arbitrator: Martín Aguerre.