PTJan/Feb 2010 p28-29 Camara JM PJ YC MB 22/1/10 16:54 Page 2
Report Cámara de Diputados
Young, quick and talented
Carlos Beer reports from Buenos Aires on the surprise victory of four
young Argentines, who marked their graduation from up-and-coming pros
to winners at Palermo in December with exciting play at top tempo
eather-wise, it has
W
been an unusual
few months since I
last contributed to
Polo Times. The UK
has been subjected to severe widespread
snow since the new year, and in
Argentina we were badly affected by
persistent rains throughout the spring
polo season in November and December.
The Argentine Open suffered many
delays, but even worse affected was the
Cámara de Diputados Cup. The heavy
rain unsettled schedules and teams,
giving rise to an unexpected winner in
the shape of Pilará, one of the lowest-
handicapped teams in the tournament.
However, spectators should be getting
used to upsets in the Cámara, after La
Cañada defied the odds to reach a
The delighted winners of the Cámara de Diputados Cup 2009, 25-goal side Pilará (l-r: Diego Cavanagh, Cristian Laprida,
thrilling final at Palermo in 2008. That Joaquín Pittaluga and Tomás García del Río). All four have subsequently had their handicaps raised by the AAP
young side narrowly lost the decider to La
Baronesa, then promptly had their handicaps broke his collarbone in a fall during the first It was a surprise, but few doubted they deserved
raised. This year, Piaget-sponsored Pilará went chukka of the side’s first Cámara practice game it after they beat highest-rated side Miramar in the
one better with a similarly youthful and exciting on a wet field and was replaced. semi-finals. Hence, it was then no great shock that
side and, sure enough, they have all been Ruki Baillieu and Matias MacDonough were the AAP announced handicap hikes all round for
recognised for their apparent over-achievement drafted in to complete the new-look line-up, but 2010. Cristián Laprida (who also won with La
in the handicap changes for 2010. further bad luck followed when MacDonough Baronesa in 2008) climbed to eight, and Joaquín
The Cámara has always been a breeding suffered the agony of a 10cm tear in his Pittaluga, Tomás García del Río and Diego Cavanagh
ground for up-and-coming talent but is hamstring and had to withdraw. went to seven. F
He and Ruki were eventually replaced by
◗ To see the full team lists and results, visit the
England’s players had their
Nacho Figueras and Brazilian eight-goaler tournaments section of www.polotimes.co.uk
Ricardo Mansur, but the disruption to
hopes of success quashed
preparations clearly had an effect, as they Cámara de Diputados Cup, 16 November to 13
crashed out to lower-rated opposition in the December 2009, Pilar and Palermo, Argentina
by two nasty injuries
shape of eventual winners Pilará and subsidiary Handicap level: 24-31 goals
finalists La Virgencita Loro Piana. Result: Piaget Pilará beat Chapaleufú, 14-10
increasingly now also the game’s best shop Pilará beat them by five in a decisive
Number of team entries: 15
window for players to display their skills to statement of intent at the start of the
Chukka scores (Pilará): 0-3; 3-4; 5-6; 7-7; 11-9;
bigger sides, influential spectators and sponsors tournament. The young 25-goal team’s speed
12-10; 14-10
and the officials that regulate the game. was the crucial factor throughout their
Best playing pony: Pucará Reluciente, owned by
This year, it showcased 15 sides rated campaign, beating higher-rated and far more
Francisco Lasconbes and played by Tomás
a
between 24 and 31 goals. English interests were experienced sides with a quick tempo that never
García del Río
concentrated on a side near the top of the let their opposition settle. It made for absorbing Final teams:
gio Llamer
spectrum, a 29-goal La Irenita La Quinta side viewing, too – in particular when they came Pilará (25): Diego Cavanagh 6; Cristián Laprida
y Ser
featuring James Beim and Mark Tomlinson. The back from a losing position in the final on 7; Joaquín Pittaluga 6; Tomás García del Río 6
r
aph b
England duo had planned to play alongside Palermo’s number one ground to leapfrog Chapalefú (27): Sugar Erskine 7; Gastón Laulhé
Photog fellow international Malcolm Borwick, but he Chapaleufú to the 2009 trophy, 14-10.
7; Mariano Uranga 6; Gerardo Collardin 7
28 January/February 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk
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