By Alejandra Ocampo
…and here they go again! Ellerstina took a 11-9 win over Alegria and is through the final of the Tortugas Open. This means that the 2016 edition of thr first leg of the Triple Crown in Argentina will feature the derby of the XXI Century once again: La Dolfina vs. Ellerstina.
A very even start, with a couple of goals apice – Gonzalo and Polito Pieres, for Ellerstina; two penalty conversions by Hilario Ulloa, for Alegria, sealed the 2-2 tie at the end of the first chukker.
But when many expected a very close contest, Ellerstina came back at full throttle and managed to hold Alegria scoreless in the second chukker. They took a 4-2 lead and widened their advantage to 6-3 at the end of the third chukker. By half time, Ellerstina reached a 8-4 advantage. With Facundo and Gonzalito leading the attack, a solid Nico as the back and very well plays added by Polito, in his new position as number 2, the all-Pieres foursome broke Alegria’s defense down; the pink jerseys only managed to score twice in two chukkers, through Sapo Caset and Lucas Monteverde.
Despite Sapo Caset scored in the fifth chukker, Ellerstina got a five goal lead, following a penalty conversion by Facundo Pieres and a field goal by Polito. Alegria outscored Ellerstina 2-1 in the sixth chukker, but Facundo managed to mark the 11-7; this would eventually be Ellerstina’s last goal.
Alegria played an all-fired up last chukker, that included many attempts to score. A couple of fouls ended up in penalty conversions by Hilario Ulloa, but that was it. Ellerstina handled their defense to retain the 11-9 and the spot in next Saturday’s final.
Nominees: Open Zeta (Facundo Pieres), El Overo Piraña (Lucas Monteverde) and Mega Sexy (Facundo Pieres). Judge: Tomás García del Río.
Ellerstina: Facundo Pieres 10 (5 goals, four penalties), Pablo Pieres 10 (3), Gonzalo Pieres (h) 10 (2) and Nicolás Pieres 9 (1). Total: 39.
Alegría: Hilario Ulloa 10 (5, three penalties and one corner), Lucas Monteverde (h) 9 (1), Guillermo Caset (h) 10 (3) and Frederick Mannix (h) 8. Total: 37.
Score Ellerstina: 2-2, 4-2, 6-3, 8-4, 10-5, 11-7, 11-9.
Umpires: Daniel Boudou y Juan José Díaz Alberdi.
Third man: Martín Goti.
Ellerstina vs. Alegria