Tortugas Open – Day 5

La Ensenada RS Murus Sanctus Capture Domingo F. Sarmiento Subsidiary Cup

Competing in the subsidiary final of the 82nd Tortugas Open at Tortugas Country Club, La Ensenada RS Murus Sanctus (Facundo Sola, Alfredo Bigatti, Guillermo Caset, Jeronimo del Carril) faced off against La Irenita Grand Champions (Juan Britos, Francisco Elizalde, Pablo Mac Donough, Juan Martin Zubia), as a high scoring contested battle came down to the final chukker play, where a balanced offensive effort led by Caset allowed La Ensenada RS Murus Sanctus to claim their third (2019, 2020) Domingo F. Sarmiento Subsidiary Cup 17-16.

Awarding La Ensenada RS Murus Sanctus two-goals on handicap, La Irenita Grand Champions began a strong first-half on three consecutive goals, including two conversions from Britos. Mounting a response in the second chukka, La Ensenada RS Murus Sanctus outscored their opponents on a three-goal run of their own commanded by Sola in the field. La Irenita Grand Champions’ leading scorer Britos was back on the attack contributing from both the line and open play to give his team a narrow 8-7 advantage. Trading goals from Britos and Caset in the fourth, the two teams finished the first half with nearly identical shooting percentages, but five successful conversions for La Irenita Grand Champions allowed them to end the half on top 10-9.

Continuing La Irenita Grand Champions offensive momentum a three-goal fifth chukka was met with a powerful response from La Ensenada RS Murus Sanctus’ Caset and del Carril to tie the match 14-all. Digging in for the final chukka, Mac Donough led the charge for La Irenita Grand Champions but crucial contributions from Sola and Caset ultimately lifted La Ensenada RS Murus Sanctus to the hard-fought 17-16 victory.

Irenita Destereza, played by Pablo Mac Donough was honored by the AACCP as Best Argentine Polo Bred Pony.

Next Fixture:
October 8
La Natividad and Ellerstina will battle for the Tortugas Open championship, with Ellerstina seeking their fourth consecutive Tortugas Open title.

Photo Credit ©Matias Callejo