By Alex Webbe
Sapo Caset’s return to high-goal polo was a successful one, scoring six times as the La Aguada team (Sapo Caset, Javier Novillo Astrada, Miguel Novillo Astrada and Ignacio Novillo Astrada) an impressive 13-8 win over a struggling Alegria foursome (Agustin Merlos, Lucas Monteverde, Pite Merlos and Fred Mannix).
In a defensive-minded first chukker La Aguada squeaked out the only goal of the period for a narrow 1-0 advantage.
Alegria responded with a pair of goals in the second period while shutting down a dangerous La Aguada attack. After two chukkers of play, Alegria had turned the tables on La Aguada for a 2-1 lead.
La Aguada owned the third, picking up four goals while limiting the Alegria offense to a single goal. Nearing the halfway point, La Aguada moved out in front by two goals, 5-3.
Alegria matched La Aguada goal for goal in the fourth chukker, gaining no ground. After four periods of play Alegria continued to trail by two goals, 7-5.
Both defenses clamped down in the fifth and goals were at a premium. Each team managed a single goal and with two chukkers left in regulation time La Aguada continued to lead by a pair of goals, 8-6.
The newly formed La Aguada lineup really began to gel in the sixth as they scored four unanswered goals and bolted out to a commanding 12-6 lead.
Alegria attempted to mount a last chukker rally, but the effort came too late. Alegria managed two goals while limiting La Aguada to a single goal. La Aguada rode off with the 13-8 win, sending Alegria (0-1) into Sunday’s match against the 40-goal La Dolfina juggernaut as the Tortugas Open, the opening leg of the Argentine Triple Crown of polo continues.
Alex, I think that Sapo is a living miracle, he almost died as consequence of the infection that he had returning from Florida, and he is now much better than ever before. But here we have two miracles, Javier “Javo” Novillo Astrada who thanks our Good Lord, defeated a brain tumor, I will call this team the Miracle Team, instead of just La Aguada. Good for them, and good for Argentinean polo.
Luis, I couldn’t agree with you more. I had major cancer surgery the same year as Javier went through his illness and we had long talks about the experience, the radiation and the chemotherapy. He told me that the radiation equipment that was available at a hospital just minutes from his home arrived just the year before. Sapo, I have been told, has put the weight back on and looks as healthy as can be. I was told that he was the game MVP on Wednesday. You’re right, it is a miracle team, a fact that I am sure I will write about as the tournaments progress.
Thanks, Luis.
Alex let me know when you are here, maybe I can arrange a lunch or dinner at the Jockey Club downtown or in San Isidro, or even at home. I may ask Javier to come with Delfina his wife and my nephew Ignacio and wife Maria José Butler, they are very good friends, kindest regards Luis