By Alex Webbe

The Ellerstina team made their first appearance in defense of their 2011 Tortugas Open Championship with Mariano Aguerre inserted into the potent offense comprised of brothers Gonzalito, Facundo and Nico Pieres.

The recently created La Natividad foursome of Polito Pieres, Nachi Heguy, Rodrigo Andrade and Lolo Castagnola had equal parts of youth and experience and charged out to an early 2-1 advantage on the strength of Polito Pieres and Lolo Castagnola.  Facundo Pieres scored Ellerstina’s only goal of the chukker.

Ellerstina took control of the game in the second period, outscoring La Natividad four goals to two to sit on top of a 5-4 lead.

Three unanswered goals from Ellerstina in the third doubled up the La Natividad effort with an 8-4 score.  Ellerstina was looking more and more comfortable with Mariano Aguerre at the helm with every tick of the clock.

La Natividad stages a mini-rally, picking up a pair of goals while limiting Ellerstina to a single score.  After four chukkers La Natividad continued to trail, 9-6.

The high-powered offense of Ellerstina kicked in in the fifth as they added five more goals.   La Natividad struggled to get its offense to pay off, managing a single score.  With two chukkers left to play Ellerstina boasted a seven goal advantage, 14-7.

With a commanding lead, Ellerstina continue to work on their teamplay, but the end result was considered a foregone conclusion despite a pair of goals from Polito Pieres.  With one chukker left in the game, La Natividad continued to trail, 16-9.

La Natividad’s Polito Pieres converted two penalty shots for goals in the sixth but single goals from cousins Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres kept Ellerstina seven goals ahead, 16-9.  Nico Pieres suffered a hard fall late in the period, and for precautionary reasons he was replaced by Facundo Sola for the final chukker.

Ellerstina saved their horses in the final chukker.  La Natividad outscored Ellerstina 4-1 in the final seven minutes of play but it was Ellerstina (1-0) who as cruised to a comfortable 17-13 win over La Natividad (0-2).

Action continues in the 2012 Tortugas Open on Sunday when Adolfo Cambiaso and his La Dolfina (0-0) team meet Alegria (0-1).