The third round should end with four series today. We begin with...
Precious v. Isabella v. Kirstin at Ford Forum, Pronger. Isabella had a hot start with a seven-ball run in game 1, but she had to play smart near the end, taking out Precious first before turning her attention on Kirstin. Isabella did what she had to, getting the last two shots to beat Kirstin after a tense shot, with Isabella taking her first win in the process. Kirstin had the better of play in defense of the lows in game 2, but a scratch near the end of the game ruined her performance. Precious and Isabella combined to take her out, and then Isabella beat Precious head-to-head to take her second win of the series. Game 3 saw Isabella have a weak break, followed by Precious and Kirstin each claiming suits on short runs. Isabella had a better second turn, taking Precious out of the game, but Kirstin won two shots later for her first victory of the series. Kirstin did well to take the highs off of a productive break shot, and Isabella followed up with the mediums on another short run. Precious got some shots in on her two turns, including providing the knockout against Kirstin, but Isabella bested Precious with one shot at the end to earn her third win in four games. Isabella had a slow start in game 5, as Precious would claim the mediums and go through two turns unchallenged before Kirstin took the highs. Things got gritty in the middle of the game until Isabella unlocked a four-ball run that bumped Precious from the game. Kirstin had a chance to win, but couldn't make her second shot, and Isabella walked away with her fourth win of the series instead. Kirstin had all of the good shooting game 6, which saw sloppiness abound. Isabella did pull out of the poor play late in the game, but too late to fight back against Kirstin, who took her second win of the series a shot later. Precious hauled in a massive run on her second turn in game 7, protecting her mediums with a seven-ball run-out that included a bit of collateral damage. Isabella was out on the fifth ball, while Kirstin fell to end the game with Precious taking her first win of the series. Confusion reigned after a collateral damage-filled four-ball run by Isabella. Precious quickly eliminated her, but ending up working against herself and the highs, accidentally ceding a third win to Kirstin in game 8. Confusion remained in game 9, with Isabella again making an early exit thanks to Kirstin, and then Kirstin eventually winning over Precious on a three-ball run-out for her fourth win of the series. Precious kept the series going in game 10, as neither Kirstin nor Isabella could calibrate their shots well enough to mount a strong attack. Precious would poke both of their last balls down for her second win in the end. Game 11 saw a rough start for Isabella, as both Precious and Kirstin had four-ball runs, combined with Isabella scratching. In the end, Isabella had a four-ball run-out, hanging on just enough to take the fifth win and advance to tomorrow's Trifinals.
Steven v. Nightfur v. Chris at McDonald's Hall, Atlantic. Game 1 went very slowly, including five shots before a ball was potted by Nightfur, who defended the mediums. She and Steven split most of the offense after Chris took a four-ball run for the lows. Steven would win in the end with a pair of tough shots to beat his two opponents for his first win. Steven had a five-ball run from the break end in a scratch at the start of game 2, leading to another period of mediocre play among the players. Chris had a good push toward the end and gained the win on a three-ball run-out after besting Nightfur a couple of turns earlier. Chris earned his first win of the series. Chris and Steven put on quite a show in game 3, as Nightfur took the lows but couldn't hang onto them for very long. Chris had glimmers of offense, but Steven was more consistent and shut things down at the end, beating Nightfur and Chris on consecutive shots for his second win. Nightfur showed up with more strength in game 4, and while Chris and Steven each had nice runs, Nightfur took the win on a three-ball run-out, beating Steven at the end with a kicked double-kiss on the 9 to the bottom right for her first win. Steven didn't bat an eye at Nightfur's strong attack in game 5, making two separate five-ball runs to get his third win in the series. Chris missed on his only shot of the game, finishing a distant third as Steven offed Nightfur in the end. Chris pulled back into the series in game 6, working a six-ball run-out on his only turn in defense of the mediums. He wiped out Steven first before turning on Nightfur, both of whom had played well but neglected Chris as a threat to their success. Chris has two wins now. Steven had a fierce six-ball run in game 7, pushing Chris out of the game on his first turn. Nightfur had just enough defense to hold Steven off for a pair of turns before making his last two balls to earn her second win of the series. Steven and Chris both had firm attacks, leaving Nightfur with just one ball before she unleashed her six-ball run-out in game 8. Nightfur's binge at the end gave her a third win in the series. Steven had to take Chris out first in game 9, which would have been fine had he not scratched later on. Chris shot back and bested Steven before a lucky shot drained Nightfur's 1 for his third win, bringing the series completely even. Steven had some trouble from an early scratch in game 10, and found himself very weak when Chris ripped a three-ball run. Nightfur would prevail, ousting Steven to guarantee herself a point before double-potting Chris' 3 to the bottom side while banking the 2 to the top left for her fourth win of the series. Steven pushed onward against Nightfur, taking her out first before wiping out Chris as well with a nine-ball run-out on his first and only turn. Chris had claimed the lows and weakened Nightfur, but Steven's run was unstoppable as he took his fourth win of the series. Chris shot back with a six-ball run on his first turn of game 12, a vicious run that denied Nightfur a shot in the game. Steven tried to produce a counterattack to this, but he failed, and Chris beat him two turns later for his fourth win, setting up one more decisive game. Chris and Steven had another duel in game 13, all after Nightfur established herself with the mediums. Chris would take her out near the end of the game, and then he banked Steven's 3 to the bottom left, defeating him a second time for his fifth win of the series and a trip to the Trifinals.
Potter v. Mams v. Neopolitan at Ford Forum, Pronger. Potter cranked a six-ball run from the game 1 break, but he nearly fell later in the game. Mams and Neopolitan had good second turns, but fell to Potter's pair of shots on his third turn, as the host took his first win of the series. Potter didn't have as strong of a start in game 2, but Mams and Neopolitan warred with each other on their first turns. Neopolitan bested Mams in defense of the highs, and then had enough left over to beat Potter at the end as she took her first win of the series. Neopolitan got a bit greedy toward the end of game 3, trying to assure herself of a point but failing miserably at hitting Potter's ball. Potter replied by taking Neopolitan out before falling to Mams a turn later in the latter's first win. Game 4 had a painfully slow but intriguing finish. Mams had a chance to beat Potter, and successfully made his last ball, but scratched to revive both of her opponents. Neopolitan then put Mams out but scratched her back into the game. Mams would win in the end, knocking Neopolitan out before Potter for her second win. Mams didn't have much going for her early in game 5, but she found a groove on her second turn, unleashing a six-ball run that decimated Potter and left Neopolitan without a clear shot. Neopolitan predictably missed, allowing Mams to end her third win with a simple cut on the 2. Mams went on a six-ball run at the start of game 6, but she didn't get a second turn, as Potter took her out before beating Neopolitan on his seven-ball run-out for his second win of the series. Game 7 saw a dominant three-turn win from Neopolitan, who took the lows early with a single shot, then a nine-ball run on her second turn before Mams made a shot to claim a point. That's all Mams would get, as Neopolitan won on the next turn, her second win of the series. Neopolitan had to fight a lot harder against the lows and Mams in game 8, and even Potter had some positive plays before being eliminated the first time. Mams scratched him back in the game, but Neopolitan took him out again before picking up her third win of the series over Mams. Neopolitan unleashed a seven-ball run on her second turn of game 9, eliminating Potter from the battle rather abruptly. Two turns later, Neopolitan got a proper shot off against Mams to take her out as well, this current surging lifting Neopolitan to her fourth win. Neopolitan suffered a large attack from Mams and Potter both early in game 10, but they backed off on the second turn, particularly Potter, who turned against Mams. Neopolitan used this to her advantage, winning the game, her fifth, and the series on a four-ball run-out that gave Potter the second-place point. Neopolitan moves on to the Trifinals.
Gradley v. Lize v. Princess at Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center, Boston. Game 1 saw strategy play a major role, with Gradley and Princess battling carefully to protect the highs and the mediums, while Lize poked shots around until Princess took her out. Gradley would fall to Princess a few turns later after a near stalemate at the top left. Princess and Gradley continued to feud deep into game 2, and by the time they realized Lize had a huge advantage, it was too late. Lize took out Gradley first, and had plenty of time to beat Princess as well despite the latter player's firm counterattack. Lize has her first win of the series. Game 3 went much longer than it should have. Princess struck a four-ball run to weaken the mediums to take the highs, and then Gradley took the lows to defend, leaving Lize with one ball. Lize attacked back on an eight-ball run to take Princess out of the game, and then Gradley played with her, knowing her injury would prevent her from threatening him. Gradley stole the game away for his first win with the sneaky play. Game 4 saw all three players dazzle at times. Lize had a big run early on to weaken the lows, while Princess supported that on her first turn. Gradley struck back to weaken both of his opponents, taking Lize out on a four-ball run before Princess beat Gradley for her second win of the series. Gradley didn't bow down in game 5, starting with a small run to claim the lows. He defended them well, as Lize and Princess only potted one of the lows, instead attacking each other. Gradley took out Lize first, and then beat Princess later in the three-ball run-out for his second win of the series. Game 6 went pretty even for all involved, as Gradley took the mediums early but faced resistance from the highs and Princess and the lows of Lize. At the end, Lize made a three-ball run-out, gifting the extra point to Gradley as she worked along the top rail for her second win of the series. Lize had a big eight-ball run on her second turn in game 7, a massive push that took Princess out of the game. Gradley countered it perfectly with a three-ball run-out to take his third win, against frustrating the visitor. Gradley needed a bit of time to unravel the web in game 8, as Lize protected the highs and Princess had the mediums, both more interested in harming Gradley's lows. When he broke through, it was with a five-ball run-out that took Princess out on the fourth shot before Lize fell on the game-ending shot for Gradley's fourth win. Gradley couldn't get anything on the break, allowing Lize to take the lows and Princess to snag the highs before his next turn. Gradley battled against both of them later in game 9, but Princess unleashed a collateral damage-laced seven-ball run-out that took out Lize early and Gradley at the end for her third win of the series. Game 10 saw Princess provide the series another extension. She began with a fierce six-ball run from the break, and while Gradley did take the highs on his turn, he never really had a chance. Gradley did off Lize, but Princess bested him after he couldn't make the 1 on a bank. Princess is even with Gradley at four wins. Game 11 took some time to get through, but Princess came up big at the end, completing her rally against Lize to take the series with her fifth win and earn the final ticket to the Trifinals.
Tomorrow, the preseason for pool comes to a close. I still anticipate launching the Qualifiers on Sunday, and preseason cricket will be mixed in here and there until that is complete. Regular season action is on the way soon.
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