2020 Clan Cup

The club teams have packed into Cisco Arena in Tysini for their one-day battle for the Clan Cup. All series are one sequence of All-Around play (one game of each event). We begin the day's session with...

Humanity Junior v. Humanity Senior. The old class rivalry is in full effect for today's first series, with the purple cue in hand. Junior's Marissa had a good start to 7-ball with a pair on the break, but struggled after that. Senior's Niki made a decent effort, then missed on the 7, and Marissa sank it to put Junior up 1-0. In 8-ball, Senior's Yekaterina claimed stripes on her first shot and illegally potted the 8 on the next shot, gifting the win to Junior's Briana, which gave Junior the 2-0 series lead. Junior's Andrew struck quickly in 9-ball, deflecting a shot off the 2 to push the 9 into the top left on his second turn. Senior's Kirstin could do nothing about it as Andrew established a 3-0 lead for Junior. Marissa worked a four-ball run for Junior in 10-ball, then baited Senior's Steven into scratching on the 9. Marissa took ball-in-hand for the 10 and converted at the top side, with the Junior lead growing to 4-0. Junior's Briana made an early mistake in 12-ball by yielding a wild-card ball to Senior's Dani, but the older player couldn't position herself well. Briana then executed a comeback with a four-ball run-out at the end to clinch the series at 5-0. Junior's Jane had a respectable effort in 13-ball with a three-ball run early and late. Senior's Dani was just a little better, grabbing the win on her own three-ball run-out to get her side on the board in a 5-1 series. Andrew couldn't get his offense going in Rotation, causing another slip for Junior. Senior's Steven put in a stronger effort and scraped together an 8-3 to cut the series deficit to 5-2. Junior's Vladimir controlled most of the early parts of 15-ball, but Senior's Niki battled back late with stronger offense. Niki won with a bank of the 15 to the bottom side to grab another win, while Junior continues to lead 5-3 in the series. Jane put in a great performance in Accuracy, but one miss was all Yekaterina needed to punish her in a 0-1 result. Junior's early dominance gave them the series, but Senior rallied to make it a narrow 5-4 final, with Junior maybe injured for confidence heading into the semifinals. 

Prime v. Enterprise. The most esteemed veterans take on one of their heritage lines as the green cue makes its postseason debut. Prime's Goatee did fine early on, but twice missed on the 6 near the end of 7-ball. Enterprise didn't hesitate, as Kiwi made the final pair of balls for the win and 1-0 series lead. Enterprise's Kiwi stayed in action for 8-ball, but didn't have as strong a performance this time. Prime's Oreo was able to beat her Terrace City Knights teammate with a four-ball run-out at the end to tie the series at 1. Prime's Goatee was back in action for 9-ball, but ended up with the same result as her first appearance. This time, Enterprise's Maison struck a four-ball run-out at the end for the win to put his club back ahead 2-1 in the series. Prime's Ms. Kitty had a good possession after an uncalled shot by Enterprise's Twinkie III early in 10-ball. Twinkie III would bounce back on her next two turns, ending with a bank of the 10 to the top left for the win and Enterprise's 3-1 series lead. Enterprise's Neopolitan smashed a five-ball run early in 12-ball, putting Delila into an urgent position quickly. The Prime veteran was unable to catch up, and Neopolitan finished at the top right to put Enterprise ahead 4-1. Prime's Diddley and Enterprise's Whiskers played a close game of 13-ball, as neither Maplewood Lumberjack wanted to be caught out of position. Diddley got the edge at the end for the win, keeping Prime alive but trailing 4-2 in the series. Ms. Kitty put up a good fight for Prime in Rotation, but Maison was a little faster on offense as he grabbed an 8-4 win. Maison's second victory gave Enterprise the series at 5-2. Prime's Oreo wasn't able to hang on at the end of a tight 15-ball battle, as Enterprise's Twinkie III tacked on another win with a three-ball run-out. Enterprise leads 6-2 in the series. Delila couldn't get a token of revenge against Neopolitan in Accuracy, as Neopolitan held on for a 1-2 win to give Enterprise a massive 7-2 series win en route to the semifinals. 

Reality v. Outcast. One of the decorated clubs takes on a perennial underdog with the green cue. Reality's Twinkie I made a late pair in 7-ball, but Outcast's Prism would add the 7 to his previous four-ball run to give Outcast a 1-0 series lead. Reality kept Twinkie I on the shot in 8-ball, but she came up short multiple times. Outcast's Salmo wasn't exactly sharp, but he was good enough to win and give his team a 2-0 series lead. Missy made a ball on the break in 9-ball, but that was it for her steady offense. Violetta was able to make enough late for the win, pushing Outcast ahead 3-0 over Reality. Boots wasn't able to get Reality on track in a choppy 10-ball battle. Prism stood her ground and snagged a pair at the end, helping Outcast move ahead 4-0 in the series. Reality's Stinky yielded a wild-card ball on a good break in 12-ball, but that was all the bonus Outcast's Nibbles needed. Nibbles made five balls over two turns to claim the win, clinching the series at 5-0. Reality got on the board when Stinky redeemed himself on 13-ball, making a kick on the 4 before sinking the 8 to the top side. Summer kept it close, but she wasn't able to protect the perfect series, as Outcast's lead is now 5-1. Buddy kept up the heat for Reality in Rotation, pummeling an early run and adding on later to lock in an 8-4 win over Outcast's Nibbles. Missy wrapped up an eight-ball run in 15-ball, but she let the 15 slip away at the top right. Violetta was there to tap it in, poaching a win for a 6-2 series lead. Accuracy saw Buddy put in a good effort, only to be denied as Summer grabbed a 2-3 win with a little luck. Outcast prevailed 7-2 over Reality to earn a semifinals spot versus Enterprise. 

Youth Movement v. Solid Core. The kids are alright, but can they back up their President's Cup win in the quarterfinals versus their elders from Solid Core? The purple cue has the series. Youth Movement's Valencia made three balls on the break in 7-ball and added the 7 later after Solid Core's Sprinkles couldn't shut things down. Youth Movement holds a 1-0 series lead. Youth Movement kept it up with a big run off the break from Bianca in 8-ball. Solid Core's Leonette wasn't able to recover, and Bianca banked the 8 to the bottom side to give her side a 2-0 series lead. Youth Movement looked set to dominate 9-ball as well, but Dusky faltered at the end, and Sleepy B. was there to poach a victory for Solid Core. Youth Movement's lead is down to 2-1. Dusky remained in for 10-ball, and she rewarded Youth Movement with a tight win this time, fending off Solid Core's Crystal just at the end after both players made runs. Youth Movement's lead is now at 3-1. Solid Core's Leonette kept things close in 12-ball, but Youth Movement's Celestia had a little extra quality to her play that was enough to grab the win for a 4-1 lead in the series. Bianca and Sprinkles stepped in for 13-ball, and it led to quite the defensive battle at the top right. It could have gone either way, but Sprinkles was judged for illegal contact, and Bianca made a pair at the end for the win to secure the series at 5-1 for Youth Movement. Celestia didn't have the easiest time in Rotation, building a large lead before watching Solid Core's Misty rally back. Celestia then closed out for an 8-6 win to push Youth Movement's series lead to 6-1. Misty got her redemption, winning a back-and-forth 15-ball battle against Youth Movement's Isabella. Misty's win gave Solid Core their second win as they trail 6-2 in the series. Valencia had the lead for Youth Movement in Accuracy but let it slip away under the pressure of Solid Core's Sleepy B., who managed to set a 3-5 win. Youth Movement entered the semifinals with a 6-3 series win. 

Enterprise v. Outcast. The first semifinal will feature the green cue between these two competitive squads. Outcast's Prism had her chances in 7-ball, but Enterprise's Kiwi was faster at the end to get the win and 1-0 series lead. Enterprise's Kiwi didn't fare as well in 8-ball, as Outcast's Salmo stepped up with a nice run and locked in a win to tie the series at 1. Enterprise's Maison had a tough time in 9-ball versus Outcast's Violetta, as the visiting player was able to wrap up a four-ball run-out for the win. Violetta's surge gave Outcast a series lead at 2-1. Prism was unable to keep the momentum going for Outcast in a close 10-ball game. In the end, Enterprise's Twinkie III made a pair of shots to grab the win, retying the series at 2. Enterprise's Neopolitan started off well in 12-ball, but persistent offense from Nibbles led to him getting the win and 3-2 series lead for Outcast. Summer put in a solid performance in 13-ball, working a late three-ball run to make pressure, but her last ball was evasive. Enterprise retied the series again at 3 as Whiskers made a four-ball run-out for the win. Maison and Nibbles kept it close at the beginning of the Rotation game, but Maison effectively pulled away and won 8-3 for Enterprise to grab a 4-3 series lead over Outcast. Twinkie III had to weather a lot of offense from Violetta in 15-ball, but it was Outcast's Violetta who missed contact on the 15. Twinkie III buried it from ball-in-hand to seal the series at 5-3. Neopolitan made three balls on the break in Accuracy but faltered after that, preventing a stronger finish from Enterprise. Outcast's Summer won 1-3 to make it just a 5-4 series loss for her team. Enterprise will be the designated road team in the Clan Cup Finals. 

Youth Movement v. Humanity Junior. The other semifinal sees two teams built on youth battling with the purple cue. Youth Movement's Valencia struggled early in game 1, while Junior's Marissa was efficient and won on a bank of the 7 to the top right. Junior leads 1-0. Youth Movement's slide wasn't long, as Bianca started 8-ball with an impressive run. Junior's Briana had virtually no answer for it, and Bianca helped Youth Movement tie the series at 1. Youth Movement's Dusky handled most of the offense in 9-ball, but she let the victory slip away as Junior's Andrew potted the final pair of balls. Junior regained the series lead at 2-1. Dusky didn't have the best of times in 10-ball either, but her miss on the 10 allowed Junior's Marissa a second chance. Marissa sent it to the top right for the win and 3-1 lead over Youth Movement. Celestia made one of each on the break in 12-ball, and that would be a brutal thing for Youth Movement. Briana fired back and used her wild-card ball efficiently in the win to put Junior ahead 4-1 in the series. Bianca had a decent start in 13-ball, but Jane battled back quite well. Jane was able to make a pair at the end to lift Junior to the win, clinching the series at 5-1 over Youth Movement. A contested start turned into a runaway romp for Youth Movement's Celestia, who used a six-ball run-out in the end for the 8-2 win over Junior's Andrew. Junior remains ahead 5-2 in the series. Youth Movement salvaged another one by winning 15-ball with Isabella's three-ball run-out. The play came after Vladimir struggled for Junior near the end, allowing their series lead to shrink to 5-3. Valencia grabbed one more win for Youth Movement with a 3-4 result in Accuracy over Junior's Jane. Junior still won the series 5-4 and will host in the Clan Cup Finals. 

Humanity Junior v. Enterprise. It's the #4 versus the #6 clubs in the Clan Cup Finals, which will use the silver cue. Junior's Marissa wasn't quite as effective as usual in game 1, allowing Enterprise's Kiwi to pick off the 7 late in 7-ball for the win and 1-0 series lead. Junior's Briana had the edge in 8-ball for most of the game, until Enterprise's Kiwi made a three-ball run-out capped by kicking the 8 to the bottom side for the win. Enterprise is up 2-0 in the series. Junior's Andrew had 9-ball in his hands, but a critical miss on the 9 at the bottom right instead allowed Enterprise to win as Maison made the tap-in. The pivotal play put Enterprise ahead 3-0. Enterprise moved a win away from the title in 10-ball, as Junior's Marissa twice missed the 8 after a four-ball run. Twinkie III cut in with the final pair for Enterprise to take the 4-0 series lead. If a comeback is to be made for Junior, Briana sparked it in 12-ball. She had the lead for most of the game despite yielding a wild-card ball, and Briana did just enough to hold off Enterprise's Neopolitan to cut the series to 4-1. Jane got behind despite a good start to 13-ball, and that late deficit was too much for the Junior rookie to overcome. Whiskers won the Clan Cup on a long shot on the 8 to the top right at the end, clinching the series at 5-1. Andrew looked set to cruise to the victory in Rotation, but Enterprise's Maison rallied back at the end for an 8-6 comeback win. Enterprise now leads the series 6-1. Vladimir had the tough task of facing Twinkie III in 15-ball, and it didn't go so well for the Junior lad. Twinkie III wasn't dominant, but she picked up a three-ball run-out at the end to give Enterprise another win and 7-1 series lead. Twinkie III was undefeated in her games and named the Clan Cup MVP. Jane salvaged Accuracy for Junior, playing perfectly in a 0-2 win over Enterprise's Neopolitan. Enterprise won the series 7-2 and took the Clan Cup title. 

Enterprise has their first Clan Cup under this banner, although it's the third for the franchise that originated as Delila Enterprises back in 2011. That history is shared with Prime, who have yet to capture glory. After a one-day break (not two, as listed in the postseason rosters update), we'll begin a four-day run through the City Cup.