Ellerstina wins its second title of the season

Unfortunately, the match was not what one would expect of a great final. There was not much rythm, the weather was bad –very overcast, and it was drizzling at times- and there was not a huge amount of spectators, as it was a week day. Ellerstina was at all times slightly better than its rival, […]

Unfortunately, the match was not what one would expect of a great final. There was not much rythm, the weather was bad –very overcast, and it was drizzling at times- and there was not a huge amount of spectators, as it was a week day. Ellerstina was at all times slightly better than its rival, although it did not prove to be as superior as expected.

The presence of Matías Mac Donough, replacing Juan Martín Nero, who had been suspended, did not alter Ellerstina’s way of playing very much. His task was to fit in as well as possible with his new team-mates, and not cause any confusion for them. In other words, to play just like Juanma plays. And that is precisely what Matías did, who played an outstanding match, scoring three goals.

His team-mates were not quite at the same level of previous outings -much less than when they played against La Dolfina Peugeot- but it was enough to allow them to overcome La Aguada, which started off slow and unprecise in its movements (even in the penalties, with the team changing its shooter three times), and it had a tough time finding a rythm (slow and locked up).

Even so, the dark red-shirted team led to some suspense in what refers to the outcome of the match, when during the seventh chukker it turned round the scoreboard and led its rivals 11-10, by way of a corner-goal scored by Miguel Novillo Astrada. But Ellerstina responded rapidly and scored three goals in a row (Facundo Pieres, Pablo Mac Donough and Gonzalito Pieres, respectively), thus making it to the last chukker leading 13-11, and practically sealing the match, which finally ended up 14-12.

Also handed out were the Sofitel prize, to the best player in the final, which went the way of Javier Novillo Astrada, the Secretaría de Turismo de la Provincia de Buenos Aires prize, to the highest goal scorer, Facundo Pieres, who scored on five occasions. The distinction of the Asociación Argentina de Criadores de Caballos de Polo went the way of Open 82, owned by Gonzalo Pieres (Jr.).

Ellerstina thus celebrated its eighth title of the Triple Crown of the 14 tournaments which have taken place, which is proof of its domination in recent years. But, of course, its stigma remains the most important event of these championships: Palermo, which they have won only last year. Will they be able to retain the title and claim two successive titles? Will this 2009 Triple Crown be the one belonging to the black-shirted team? We will find that out on December 5.