It had been a long time coming. On Wednesday 9 November Ellerstina beat La Dolfina 10-9 in extra time in the final of the 123rd Hurlingham Open, their first big title since the Argentine Open at Palermo in 2012, and it ended La Dolfina’s chance of another Triple Crown.
The line-ups
- Ellerstina Johor (39 goals): Facundo Pieres, Pablo Pieres, Gonzalo Pieres and Nicolás Pieres.
- La Dolfina Sancor Seguros (40 goals): Adolfo Cambiaso, David Stirling, Pablo Mac Donough and Juan Martín Nero.
A final that needed an extra chukker
The forecast had promised storms, but the sun came out and the final was played in dry conditions at the Hurlingham Club. Ellerstina fought back to take a match that was three goals against them with 3 minutes 40 seconds left. The score by period tells the story: level at 1-1, 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 and 4-4 through the first five, then La Dolfina edged clear at 6-5 and 8-6 in the sixth and seventh, before Ellerstina scored three in the eighth to level at 9-9.
- Ellerstina scorers: Gonzalo Pieres five, Facundo Pieres four (two from penalties), Nicolás Pieres one.
- La Dolfina scorers: Adolfo Cambiaso five (three from penalties), Mac Donough three, Stirling one.
What it means for the season
La Dolfina had won the Tortugas Open in October, so the loss ends their hope of a fourth successive Triple Crown. For Ellerstina, who had lost last year’s final in the last minutes, it was a welcome end to a lean run, and the win gives them confidence going into Palermo, where they open on Sunday 20 November against La Irenita.
His team now face Palermo with their confidence restored and a plan to rest their best horses in the early matches and go all out for the knockout rounds.
Sources: Infobae
