Ellerstina win the first leg of 2012 Triple Crown

Defending champions Ellerstina clinched victory in a nail-biting Tortugas Open Final in Argentina yesterday (25 October 2012).

The 38-goal team of Nico Pieres, Mariano Aguerre, Gonzalito Pieres and Facundo Pieres defeated La Dolfina 12-11 in a closely fought match, to retain their Tortugas Open title. The 40-goal La Dolfina team of Adolfo Cambiaso, David “Pelon” Stirling, Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martin Nero were always chasing Ellerstina throughout the match, but five goals by Facundo Pieres, who was named most valuable player, and strong defensive teamwork secured Ellerstina the historic win.

This win is the sixth consecutive Tortugas Open victory in a row for Ellerstina, and the first leg of the Triple Crown of Polo 2012. The opening chukkas of Thursday afternoon’s Tortugas Open Final were hard fought with La Dolfina taking a 1-0 lead after the opening chukka and Ellerstina tying it up at 1-1 to end the second.

Ellerstina scored four consecutive un answered goals in the third with Nico Pieres giving them a 5-1 lead. Cambiaso converted a penalty shot to help them stay in touch and end the period with a three goal gap behind Ellerstina, 5-2.

Fourth chukka goals from Pablo MacDonough and Pelon Stirling cut the Ellerstina lead to a single goal, 5-4 before La Dolfina came back to end the period all even at 5-5. Mariano Aguerre scored the opening goal of the fifth as Ellerstina agin took back the lead, 6-5. Two minutes later Juan Martin Nero scored to make it even at 6-6. Facundo Pieres converted a penalty goal to give Ellerstina the lead once again, 7-6. Cambiaso took a hit to his shoulder with a mallet and the clock stopped but after a short break Cambiaso was OK to continue. Stirling scored the final goal of the chukka to draw the scores at 7-7.

Two minutes into the sixth chukka Nero scored a lovely goal to give La Dolfina an 8-7 advantage. Cambiaso converted a penalty shot for a score and a 9-7 La Dolfina lead. Ellerstina responded quickly and decisively with three straight goals for a 10-9 lead to end the chukka.

Facundo Pieres combined beautifully with brother Gonzalito who scored to put Ellerstina up, 11-9 in the seventh and final chukka of play. Facundo Pieres scored again on a well-placed shot at goal and Ellerstina stretched the lead to three goals, 12-9. Juan Martin Nero managed to cut the lead with a goal from the field, but Ellerstina were still ahead 12-10. A late goal from La Dolfina ended the game with Ellerstina winning the 2012 Tortugas Open, 12-11.

Score Ellerstina: 0-1, 0-1, 5-2, 5-5, 7-7, 10-9, 12-11

MVP: Facundo Pieres (Ellerstina)
BPP: Sol de Agosto Milu (Bred by Martin de Narvaez, ridden by Pablo MacDonough)

Top Scorer: Facundo Pieres (5 goals)