What began as a difficult afternoon turned into a statement of resilience. La Irenita La Hache, trailing 1 to 6 at the end of the second chukker, managed to reverse the momentum with patience, collective coordination, and a brilliant performance from captain Hilario Ulloa.
The team claimed a 17 to 14 win in its second appearance at the 132nd Argentine Open Polo Championship, a result that returns it to a strong position within the tournament.
Guillermo Caset Jr.’s team posed a demanding test. Yet the squad led by Ulloa found a way to reorganize its ideas and slowly build a comeback that took shape in the sixth chukker. From that point on, La Irenita La Hache controlled the pace and never let La Ensenada reestablish its rhythm.
The season had not been promising for the combination of Ulloa’s club and the Mac Donough organization. They arrived at the Open with pressure and little room for error. Their victory in the opening match against La Dolfina II suggested a possible resurgence, but the momentum was interrupted by an unexpected setback: Pablo Mac Donough suffered a clavicle injury that ruled him out of the competition, at least temporarily. Losing their on field strategist was a major blow.
Pablo nevertheless clarified before the match that he aims to return in time to face Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú, the game that will decide which team advances to the final. He stayed close to his teammates during warm up, offering instructions alongside coach Ignacio Novillo Astrada.
The solution to his absence came through the family. His nephew, Matías Mac Donough Jr., known as Vizcacha, was chosen to take his place. After several unsuccessful attempts to reach Palermo through qualification, the young player received an unexpected debut in the most important polo event in the world. It was a significant challenge for him and for the team, which had to adjust quickly. Even without Pablo’s experience, the squad preserved its original goal: to fight for a spot in the Palermo final.
Vizcacha rose to the occasion. Fran Elizalde delivered his usual excellence in control and recovery. Nachi du Plessis, who had some early difficulties in the throw ins against Rufino Bensadón, grew in confidence and produced a well rounded match that included decisive goals, among them a strong backhander in the last chukker. And Ulloa, as always, served as the driving force. His mobility, sharp instincts and finishing ability made him the most influential figure of the match. He finished with 6 goals, 2 of them through penalties.
After the win, Ulloa expressed his satisfaction and said that playing as number 1 is a privilege when the team is functioning well. He acknowledged that they started slowly but gradually found their pace and credited the team’s attitude and the performance of the horses. Looking ahead to the next matches against La Hache Cría y Polo and Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú, he noted that the group feels confident and united.
La Ensenada had a strong start and quickly built a considerable lead, but could not maintain its advantage. As the minutes passed, the team lost speed and control. When La Irenita La Hache accelerated and began to close the gap, La Ensenada struggled to counter. Their late reaction was not enough. Once Ulloa and his teammates seized the momentum, the match tilted decisively in their favor.
For La Irenita La Hache, the performance was encouraging. The difficult moments seem to be behind them. They won without Pablo, with Vizcacha making his debut, and with a collective effort that overcame an early deficit. It was a match that started poorly and ended triumphantly because the team showed conviction and quality.
Match summary
La Irenita La Hache (17):
Hilario Ulloa, 9; Fran Elizalde, 9; Matías Mac Donough Jr., 7; Ignatius du Plessis, 9. Total: 34.
La Ensenada (14):
Rufino Bensadón, 8; Juan Britos Jr., 8; Guillermo Caset Jr., 9; Jerónimo del Carril, 9. Total: 34.
Chukker progression:
1 to 2, 1 to 6, 5 to 7, 7 to 10, 7 to 10, 12 to 11, 15 to 12, 17 to 14.
Scorers for La Irenita La Hache:
Ulloa 6 with 2 penalties, Elizalde 5 with 1 penalty, Mac Donough Jr. 2, du Plessis 4.
Scorers for La Ensenada:
Bensadón 3, Britos Jr. 2, Caset Jr. 4, del Carril 5 with 3 penalties.
Penalized players:
Juan Britos Jr. and Jerónimo del Carril in the fourth chukker.
Umpires: Gastón Lucero and Guillermo Villanueva Jr.
Referee: José Ignacio Araya.
Field: Number 1 at the Campo Argentino de Polo.