Alegria Standard Wealth Claim First Win in Crucial Moment

Image Alegria vs Chapaleufu

The tenth day of play in the 128th Abierto Argentino de Polo began with Alegria Standard Wealth facing Chapaleufu, with the winner advancing to the Repechaje Clasificacion and the losing team relegated to qualification for next year. Without a win in the 2021 Triple Crown, Alegria Standard Wealth won when it mattered most, defeating Chapaleufu 14-12 on Field 2 at Palermo. 

Overcoming a slow start in the game, Alegria Standard Wealth shot above 50% after the opening chukka due to a well-balanced attack that saw at least two goals from all four players. Agustin Merlos led the team with six goals, while assists on six of their eight field goals demonstrated how Alegria Standard Wealth utilized the pass to help capture their first win. Rufino Bensadon completed an impressive Argentine Open performance with 10 goals, but Chapaleufu shot just 27% from the field in the 14-12 defeat. 

Score Table Alegria vs Chapaleufu

Conceding two penalty conversions to Bensadon in the opening moments of the game, Alegria Standard Wealth faced an early two-goal deficit but worked their way into the lead thanks to the play of Fred Mannix. Coming forward from the #4 position to score two goals, Mannix helped his team quickly grab the lead and exit the third chukka ahead 6-3. A back-and-forth chukka to end the half led to the two teams exchanging goals as Merlos converted two Penalty 4 attempts while Chapaleufu responded with two goals from Bensadon and one from Julian de Lusarreta to leave the score at 8-6 in favour of Alegria Standard Wealth at halftime. 
Bar Chart Alegria vs Chapaleufu

A foul-ridden second half resulted in the offensive chances coming from the penalty line as Merlos and Bensadon went head-to-head for their respective teams. Finishing an astounding 4 for 4 from the 60-yard line, Merlos added two more conversions while Bensadon answered with two 60-yard conversions of his own. By the end of the seventh chukka, six consecutive goals had been scored from the penalty line, but Alegria Standard Wealth maintained their two-goal lead with one chukka left to claim their first victory. Scoring on the opening play, Bensadon’s tenth goal brought Chapaleufu within one, but Alegria Standard Wealth produced back-to-back goals from Tomas Garcia del Rio and Merlos to secure the victory and their place in the Repechaje Clasificacion against the winner of the Copa Camara de Diputados, to be decided on Monday between La Fija and La Irenita II. 



Photo Credit: ©Matias Callejo