FIRST SEMI FINAL – La Dolfina beat Pilara Piaget in the first Semi Final of the Argentine Open, Saturday 1st December 2012.
The much anticipated Argentine Open Semi Final between Piaget Pilara and La Dolfina on the Number 1 field at Palermo kicked off on Saturday 1st December with La Dolfina scoring early and taking the first lead of the game. At the end of the opening chukka Pilara Piaget trailed by a single goal, 2-1.
Three unanswered goals by La Dolfina in the second chukka left Pilara Piaget trailing 5-1 after the second period. After three chukkas, La Dolfina lead a despondent Pilar Piaget team, 8-2. A persistent Pilara Piaget regrouped for the fourth chukka, outscoring La Dolfina for the first time, 3-1, and cutting the lead to four goals, 9-5 to end the first four chukkas of play.
It was only a month ago when the two teams last met, and La Dolfina held a three goal lead (10-7) over Pilara Piaget in the Semi Finals of the Hurlingham Open. La Dolfina managed a 17-16 win, but surrendered three goals to Pilara Piaget in the final chukka without firing back offensively. La Dolfina entered the second half ready to play all eight chukkas and outscored Pilara Piaget 4-2 for a six goal, 13-7 advantage at the end of the fifth chukka.
La Dolfina outscored Pilara Piaget 4-1 in the sixth chukka to take a commanding nine goal, 17-8 lead with two periods to play. After seven chukkas of play, La Dolfina were leading with an 18-10 score.
Pilara Piaget shutout La Dolfina in the final chukker of Saturday afternoon’s Semi Final match, but it made little difference. The three unanswered goals scored by Pilara Piaget merely cut the La Dolfina winning to five goals in the 18-13 La Dolfina victory.
The win boosts La Dolfina into a position to defend its 2011 title where they face their old rival Ellerstina.
SECOND SEMI FINAL – Another Argentine Open Final for Ellerstina at Palermo – Ellerstina beat La Aguada in the second Semi Final of the Argentine Open, Sunday 2nd December 2012.
Ellerstina burst into action from the opening throw-in yesterday Sunday 2nd December against La Aguada in the second Semi Final of the Argentine Open, running up a 4-1 lead after the first seven minutes of play.
Ellerstina went 5-1 up in the second chukka before La Aguada returned fire. Determined to show Ellerstina that they could beat them again, La Aguada scored three goals in the second period, Ellerstina’s second goal of the chukka would end the period with them in front, 6-4.
The La Aguada defense that held Ellerstina to a mere eight goals in their last meeting showed up in the third chukka, shutting them down completely. La Aguada managed a single goal, cutting the Ellerstina lead to a delicate one goal, 6-5.
La Aguada scored consecutive goals to open the fourth chukka, giving them a 7-6 lead. Ellerstina rallied back scoring three times to end the first half with a two goal, 9-7 advantage.
Ellerstina continued their momentum in the second half, adding two more goals in the fifth chukka while holding La Aguada to a single score. At the end of the period, Ellerstina were on top, 11-8.
La Aguada fought back into the game, but Ellerstina matched them goal for goal. At the end of the sixth chukka Ellerstina continued to lead by three goals, 13-10.
Ellerstina and La Aguada both scored in the opening minutes of the seventh. Ellerstina continued to hold the lead, 14-11. A well-executed shot at goal from Gonzalito Pieres gave Ellerstina a four goal lead, 15-11. Ellerstina scored the final goal of the chukka. La Aguada fell behind by five goals, 16-11.
Ellerstina was outscored by La Aguada in the eighth chukka, 3-2, but held on for the 18-14 win that would return them to the Finals of the Argentine Open against arch rival La Dolfina on Saturday 8th December 2012 at 3pm at Palermo.
THE TRIPLE CROWN 2012
The dates and details of the three tournaments that make up the Triple Crown 2012 are as follows:
Tournament: Tortugas Open, Argentina
Place: Tortuguitas
Club: Tortugas CC
Date: September 25 – October 13, 2012
Tournament: Hurlingham Open, Argentina
Place: Hurlingham
Club: Hurlingham Club
Date: October 16 – November 4, 2012
Tournament: 119th Argentine Open, Argentina
Place: Palermo
Club: Palermo
Date: November 17 – December 8, 2012
For more information, visit www.pololine.com.
ROLEX AND POLO
Rolex’s association with Polo began over 40 years ago, forming a partnership based on a shared appreciation of excellence. Success on the polo field is achieved only by those who, during the intensity of the match, deliver results with precision and seamless control, moving with a grace and elegance comparable to the intricate craftsmanship of a Rolex timepiece.
Such skill is evident in Rolex Testimonee Gonzalo Pieres Jr, one of today’s most accomplished and proficient polo players. The holder of a 10 goal handicap on three continents, Gonzalo Pieres Jr is synonymous with the world of professional polo, seen by many as the one of the greatest players of his generation. He made his debut on the professional circuit in 1999 at the Argentine Open – the world’s most important polo tournament – competing ever since at many of polo’s most celebrated events. Aged 29, Pieres Jr has already won the game’s most prestigious title, the Argentine Polo Open Championship, twice, in 2008 and again in 2010.
In the same year, with his team Ellerstina, Pieres Jr won all three tournaments in the Argentine Triple Crown – the Hurlingham Country Club Open Championship, the Tortugas Country Club Open Championship and the Argentine Polo Open Championship. This was Pieres Jr’s first Triple Crown, but Ellerstina’s second, having accomplished this feat in 1994, with the help of Pieres Jr’s father, Gonzalo Pieres Sr.
Rolex’s affiliation with polo extends beyond its finest Testimonees as the official sponsor of four of the most prestigious events on the international polo calendar: the Buenos Aires Jockey Club Open Championship (since 2005), the Tortugas Country Club Open Championship (since 2000), the Hurlingham Club Open Championship (since 1979) and the renowned Argentine Polo Open Championship (since 1979).
Held in Argentina, a nation passionate about polo, each of these championships attracts the world’s best players, whose ability to master the delicate balance between horse and rider is unrivalled. These four events are among the oldest tournaments in the sport, dating back to 1890 with the Hurlingham Club’s first match and 1893 with the start of the Argentine Polo Open Championship.
In 2011, Rolex consolidated its affiliation with polo by becoming the Official Timekeeper of the Asociación Argentina de Polo (AAP), the sport’s governing body, and its playing field in Pilar, a province just north of Buenos Aires.
Rolex’s decision to associate itself with the governing body of the disciplines it sponsors reflects its commitment to the continued progression of each sport. The AAP is dedicated to promoting polo while remaining true to the noble spirit and tradition inherent to the game.
Rolex’s sponsorship of today’s most impressive polo events reflects the brand’s long-standing and continued commitment to excellence in horsemanship.
Rod Kohler
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: rod@revolutionsports.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)207 592 1207