Historic day! On Saturday 5/10, in which the traditional Ayrshire Cup was at stake, was defined with a great match of 80 handicap goals. On field 1 of the club located in the West of Greater Buenos Aires, La Natividad beat the 2023 champion of the tournament, La Dolfina Saudi by a tight 13 to 12 and won the tournament for the second time in history.
The match had an important moment for each team. LN started much better, winning the vast majority of throw-ins and with a well-oiled team game, took a 7-2 lead at the end of the third chukker. But from the fourth on, La Dolfina woke up, when Pelón Stirling began to become important in neutralization and Poroto in the generation of play. After winning that period 4-2, the best of LD was seen, which left more than two chukkers without scoring for its opponent and scored a 7-0 run to take the lead on the scoreboard, even though its leader, Adolfito Cambiaso, had to leave the game with a possible tear in his right hamstring. With the score 9-11 down, La Natividad adjusted the marks again, Barto appeared in all his splendor, equalized the actions and the score; and with a great goal by Facu Pieres with only 30 seconds to go before the final campaign, he unleashed the celebration of his palenque and all the people who came to cheer on the green and white team.
THE NUMBERS
La Natividad won its second title in Hurlingham, after having won it for the first time in 2021, and its sixth Triple Crown title (in addition, Tortugas 2022 and 23; and Palermo 21 and 23). On the individual side, Pablo Mac Donough won his 11th trophy in Hurlingham and Facu Pieres his 9th; while brothers Barto and Jeta achieved their 2nd.
OFFICIAL 80-GOAL MATCHES
This was the fifth in the history of polo: the previous ones were 2009 (2) and the remaining two in 2018. In all four, La Dolfina and Ellerstina faced each other, with two wins per side.
In 2009, the Zeta won 19-13 in the zone definition of the Hurlingham Open; and it was LD’s 17-16 victory in the final in Palermo. Meanwhile, in 2018 there were two finals of 80 goals: 11-9 for LD in Tortugas and 12-11 for Zeta in Hurlingham.
This was the third time there was an 80-goal encounter at the Hurlingham Open and the second time in a final in the West.
Of the eight players who participated in the grand final, four of them have participated in all the official matches of 80 goals: Adolfo Cambiaso (h), Pablo Mac Donough, Juan Martín Nero and Facundo Pieres.
With this victory, Facu and Pablo have a positive record (3 wins and 2 losses); while Adolfito and Juanma negative (2g and 3p).
The finalist teams and progression:
The Nativity: Facundo Pieres 10 (5 goals, three penalties), Camilo Castagnola 10 (2), Pablo Mac Donough 10 (3) and Bartolomé Castagnola (h) 10 (3). Total: 40.
La Dolfina Saudi: Adolfo Cambiaso (h) 10 (1 penalty) (Injured, replaced by Gonzalo Ferrari 7 -1- at 0.10m. of the sixth chukker), David Stirling (h) 10, Adolfo Cambiaso (n) 10 (8, three penalties) and Juan M. Nero 10 (2). Total: 40.
The Nativity: 2-1, 4-1, 7-2, 9-6, 9-7, 9-11, 12-12 and 13-12.
Judges: Gastón Lucero and Guillermo Villanueva (h). Arbitrator: José I. Araya.
THE AWARD
Juan Carlos Harriott MVP Award: Barto Castagnola.
Javier Novillo Astrada Award for Best Player of the Final: Barto Castagnola.
Fair Play Award for the Knight of Polo: Juan M. Nero.
Daniel Kearney Cup (Hurlingham Club) for the best horse of the final: Lovelocks Drogba, played by Barto Castagnola.
AAP Award for the best horse in the final: Show Down, also played by Barto Castagnola.
AACCP Award for the best registered player product Argentine Polo race: Dolfina Copas, played by Poroto Cambiaso.
Duthie & Doyle Award for the top scorer of the final: Poroto Cambiaso, with 8 goals.
The finalist La Dolfina Saudi received the Ravenscroft Cup from Delfin Uranga, president of the AAP; while The Ayrshire Cup was presented to the champion team of La Natividad by the Ambassador of Great Britain, Kirsty Hayes, together with the owner of the Hurlingham Club, Fernando Kelly. Meanwhile, the Triumph Award was received from Patricia Iraola, representative of the motorcycle company.
Finally, the Polo Subcommittee of the organizing institution (Marcelo Schmidt, Rafael Cúneo Libarona, Federico Fleitas and Nicolás Recondo) awarded the champions with the historic jackets.
In addition, before the match, the brothers Juan José and Marcelo Araya were honored.