Premier Cricket 2019 - Week 4

Premier is back to wrap up week 4 now, playing Thursday and Friday this week. First up...

BMW RockDome, Westside: The Rockers send Chimpy to the bench against the second-place Warriors, who have Andrew sitting out in a clash of titans. Twilight delivered 567 for Central on the opening turn, an aggressive turn from the visiting captain. Misty answered with 586 for Westside, giving them a tiny lead initially. Dustin had little pace on his turn, but he still wrangled 679 to put the Warriors farther ahead the second time. Slinks covered that damage with 790 for the Rockers, restoring the hosts' lead at the midway mark. Wings tried to keep up the pace, but his turn came in short at 464 for Central. Goatee responded with 644 for Westside, adding a bit more to their lead heading into the final turn. Noelle forced a response with 460 for the Warriors, putting their total at 2170. Midnight matched it with 460 of her own to secure the Rockers win at 2480. Westside continues a perfect start to 9-0, while Central ends their four-game road trip at 3-2.

Blades Fusion ProGlide Park, Swordpoint: Max gets another game off for the Pilots, while the Blades open a home doubleheader with Sugar sitting due to poor performance. Valencia had a reasonable start with 441 for Golden this time. Snowball covered it with 470 for Swordpoint, pulling the hosts narrowly ahead after one turn. Dusty fired back with 514 for the Pilots, raising the stakes on offense a bit. Dreamy couldn't keep up, falling at a middling 292 as the Blades slip behind halfway through the game. Strut kept Golden's performances solid with 451 on his turn, a hearty addition to their lead. Bandit lost a little more ground with only 339 for Swordpoint, making a comeback less likely. Sparkles zipped 441 for the Pilots at the end, keeping them balanced with a final score of 1847. Stealth had a strong 620 for the Blades, but his rally left them just short at 1721. Golden rises to 4-2, while a busy Swordpoint side drops to 5-6 with another game coming up.

Blades Fusion ProGlide Park, Swordpoint: The Blades give Dreamy a much-needed rest in this game, while the visiting Torpedoes have Shelley back on the bench for performance reasons. Smudge took 438 in a decent opening turn for Infinity, although she wanted more than that. Snowball opened up her swing and cranked out 676 for Swordpoint, giving the hosts a noticeable lead. Fluffina stayed steady with 445 for the Torpedoes, enough to cover the deficit on the second attack. Bandit answered that with 554 for the Blades, giving them a bit more cushion with the productive turn. Mr. Snowman stayed in line with the Infinity offense, hitting 436 as they fail to really have a break-out attack. Stealth got caught on his backhand, ending with a paltry 170 as Swordpoint's lead shrivels. Hughbert attacked with great pace, but a poorly-placed ball ended his effort at 363, giving the Torpedoes 1682 in total. Sugar did enough with 345 to secure the win at 1745 for the Blades. Swordpoint snapped a four-game home losing streak to get to 6-6, while Infinity drops to 1-4.

Nestle's Warriors Park, Central: The Warriors are back home and sitting Dustin for this game, while the Shores come out of a bye week with their captain Shaggy on the bench. Marsell had a good start but faded quickly, ending at a mediocre 258 for Whitewater. Twilight couldn't block a high swing at the end of her turn, tallying 445 to get Central started in this one. Twinkie III had an uncharacteristically bad turn with only 177 for the Shores. Wings stuck 220 for the Warriors on his turn, another poor effort in a game increasingly filled with them. Katharine shelved 784 for Whitewater, covering the deficit with a slump-busting performance. Andrew had 326 in his return to Central's lineup, halving the deficit they faced going into the final turn. Rosalina whisked her way to 429 for the Shores, giving them a final score of 1648. Noelle couldn't catch up with 401 for the Warriors, leaving them in a loss at 1392. Whitewater improves to 3-3 while dropping Central to the same mark as part of a five-team tie for fourth place.

Blades Fusion ProGlide Park, Swordpoint: Stealth rests for the Blades in their last game of the week, facing a Southwestern rival Hummingbirds without their consistent rookie, Sarah. Leandra smacked an even 700 for Tysini at the start, establishing a good offense for the visitors early on. Snowball carved out 537 for Swordpoint to mitigate the damage done early on. Charli responded with 586 for the Hummingbirds in a quick second attack to boost their lead. Dreamy charged back with 868 for the Blades, enough to pull them ahead halfway through the game. Vincent kept Tysini in the fight with 553 on his turn, the high-scoring game looking to go right down to the wire. Bandit looked a little uncomfortable on his turn, ending at 300 as Swordpoint's lead dissipates. Paps tacked on 451 for the Hummingbirds at the end, giving them a total of 2290. Sugar rallied with 615 for the Blades, the big final push putting them at 2320 in a narrow win. Swordpoint survived the scare to get to 7-6, while Tysini's bad fortune drops them to 1-5.

Chevrolet Field, Everton: The Eagles are giving Cleo her first rest of the season here, while the Predators have their rookie Kitty on the bench again for rest. Shawn stepped in and hit 472 for Midland in a decent start to the game. Goldy floated 544 for Everton in response, giving the hosts a small initial lead. Rainmane couldn't find a rhythm for the Predators, giving them 295 to take a much smaller lead this time. Bear countered with 619 for the Eagles, easily regaining a large lead at the midway mark. Americus had a solid outing with 388 for Midland, but it didn't overturn the deficit. Puff III slipped up a bit earlier than expected, but her 384 maintains a decent lead for Everton. Fuchsia challenged the deficit with 408 for the Predators, forcing a response to their total of 1563. Kirstin had a small turn with 208, but it was enough for the Eagles to a claim a win at 1755. Everton rises to 5-4, while Midland is 1-7.

Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: We return to action with the Sharpshooters sitting Pauline in the first half of a doubleheader, while the Eagles have Kirstin on the bench this time. Goldy started with 583 for Everton, a good effort from the captain. Chris missed a swing far too early in his turn, ending with 272 as Capital City will have to play from behind initially. Bear fired back with a solid 407 for the Eagles, adding a positive turn to their lead. Missy stormed back with 674 for the Sharpshooters, cutting deeply into the deficit. Cleo looked refreshed after her rest, picking up 636 in a good outing for Everton. Sprinkles dropped from her usual home pace with 494 for Capital City, losing ground heading into the final players' turns. Puff III dropped 388 for the Eagles, leaving their final score at 2014 after the lackluster finish. Lorde knocked 595 for the Sharpshooters at the end, giving them a total of 2035 in a comeback win. Capital City is now 3-1, while Everton falls back to 5-5.

Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Completing the doubleheader, the Sharpshooters will sit their captain Chris, while the Rockers look to push their win streak higher with Chimpy sitting out again. Misty looked composed and organized in striking 762 for Westside on the first turn. Missy tried to match that but fell short with 388 for Capital City, cutting the deficit in half. Slinks took a hit back to 324 for the Rockers, a weaker turn that destabilizes their lead. Sprinkles made a small gain with 407 for the Sharpshooters, trying to keep them within striking distance. Goatee crushed 1001 for Westside, extending their lead significantly with another legendary effort. Lorde tried to keep up for Capital City with a pacey turn of her own, but she fell at 532. Midnight dished out another 729 for the Rockers, sealing their score at 2816. Pauline exited at 371 for the Sharpshooters, who took a brutal loss at 1698. Westside is 10-0, while Capital City drops back to 3-2.

HP Field, Midland: The Predators are back home with Americus on the bench, while the Pilots have chosen this game to give their captain Valencia her first game off this year. Dusty started a little slow, but worked her way up to 619 for Golden to start the game. Shawn answered with 436 for Midland, a good appearance that keeps them close enough to compete. Strut upped the ante with 900 for the Pilots on the second attack, extending their lead greatly. Rainmane didn't deliver much on her turn, with only 211 for the Predators in a poor response. Max tallied another 600 for Golden on his turn, boosting their lead with another good outing. Fuchsia posted 441 for Midland, a decent performance that should earn her another start. Sparkles flicked another 505 for the Pilots at the end, icing their offense at 2624. Kitty played a solid turn with 410 for the Predators, but they fell at 1498. Golden improves to 5-2, while Midland is 1-8 on the year.

BMW RockDome, Westside: The Rockers try to make it a quarter-season of wins with Slinks on the bench, while the visiting Torpedoes rest Mr. Snowman for the first time this season. Smudge slapped 526 for Infinity on a high-paced attack, hoping to scare the hosts a bit early on. Misty blasted 1125 for Westside in response, the captain leading a well-oiled machine yet again. Fluffina answered with 467 for the Torpedoes, getting them closer but not covering the deficit. Goatee fired back with 555 for the Rockers, a step down from her usual but enough to protect the lead. Shelley tipped a ball backward and couldn't save it, falling with 456 for Infinity. Chimpy rallied with 665 for Westside, adding another bulky attack to their massive lead. Hughbert had a good performance with 671 for the Torpedoes, but they still took a hard loss at 2120 against the best team in the league. Midnight had a merciless pace but only 434 points for the Rockers to cap their win at 2779. Westside stays perfect at 11-0 to end their week, while Infinity is unfortunate to sink to 1-5 despite their best game of the year.

Nissan Infinity Stadium, Infinity: The Torpedoes are giving Shelley rest in the second game of their back-to-back, while the Pilots choose to rest Dusty against a relegation-zone team. Valencia stashed 486 for Golden in a solid return to the lineup after her game off. Smudge kept it close with 425 for Infinity, as the sisters and captains exchange fairly even performances. Strut stayed in line with a pacey 450 for the Pilots, challenging the hosts a bit more. Fluffina dropped off a bit with 371 for the Torpedoes, costing them valuable ground on the second attack. Max answered his sister's attack with 411, helping Golden take a few more points for their lead. Mr. Snowman shot back with 432 for Infinity, carving a little out of the deficit heading into the final turn. Sparkles delivered a good 472 for the Pilots, continuing her consistent contributions on the road to give the visitors 1819 overall. Hughbert mistimed a swing and ended at 314 for the Torpedoes, who took the loss at 1542. Golden is now 6-2 for the season, while Infinity's doubleheader went all wrong to send them to 1-6.

Chevrolet Field, Everton: Two middle-of-the-pack teams meet to close week 4, with the hosts sitting Puff III in a tough decision, while Klaus is resting for the visitors. Delila had a wretched start with low pace and only 169 points for Atlantic, leaving them exposed early on. Goldy replied with 553 for Everton, easily staking out the initial lead for the hosts. Isabella provided 425 for the Pirates on her turn, enough to lightly cover the deficit. Bear lost a little ground with 300 for the Eagles, showing the fatigue the home coaches thought might set in during the game. Steven covered the deficit with a bit more intent as he added 488 to the Atlantic offense, shaping things up for a close finish. Cleo answered with 537 for Everton, making a small gain to their lead heading into the final turn. Jason N. enjoyed a good pace, but overextended his swing and fell at 370 to give the Pirates a total of 1452, forcing just a small response. Kirstin started out cautious before opening up at the end, recording 391 as the Eagles win with 1781. Everton is 6-5 this season, while Atlantic drops to 4-5.

That's all we've got for week 4. Pool continues with the end of the second round of the preseason competition today. Cricket returns tomorrow with a portion of Select Week 5, with Select and Elite both getting likely significant time on Sunday.

Heart of the Game 13-ball Tournament - Round 2 Day 3

We're back with more second round action, beginning with...

Valencia v. Curtis Caldwell. A talented league veteran takes on a tough unaffiliated player with the blue cue. Valencia and Curtis both struggled early in game 1, but after bad shots from Valencia, Curtis found his way to win on a big six-ball run-out. Curtis leads the series 1-0. Curtis had the early offense in a much cleaner game 2, but Valencia charged back with five balls over her last three turns to get the win on a fierce attack. Valencia's win tied the series at 1. Valencia had the first ball down in game 3, but her bad positioning caught her behind later, as Curtis' four-ball run helped him get close before he eventually potted the 8 at the bottom right. Curtis won the series 2-1, and he will face Precious in the third round.

Cisco Solorio v. Noppadon Gruemor. A strategist meets a powerful player as two unaffiliated players use the silver cue. Cisco made one of each suit on the game 1 break, and despite a scratch late in the game, he was faster to pot his suit than Noppadon. Cisco had an easy shot on the 8 for the win, taking a 1-0 series lead. Cisco had an early four-ball run stalled by an illegally potted ball in game 2, which proved to be the unraveling of his offense. Noppadon took over on a deep run of his own, and then Noppadon buried the 8 to the top right when Cisco missed on the 11 at the bottom left. Noppadon has tied the series at 1. Cisco had a chance after Noppadon's first try at the 8 left him lined up, but Cisco scratched while trying for the 8. Noppadon recovered in time to get the win, taking the series 2-1 to get to the third round against Mams.

Panda v. Nightfur. Two captains in the league play the red cue's first series of the day. Panda struck first and managed to stay ahead in a quick game 1 battle, helped by Nightfur's scratch as she tried to get positioning. Panda put the 8 in the bottom right on his second try for the win and 1-0 series lead. Panda struck first in game 2, but it was a long-gone memory by the end, where he had to battle for positioning with Nightfur at multiple pockets. Thanks to a couple of scratches, Nightfur was set too far back to catch Panda on his last push, and Panda won to clinch the series at 2-0. Panda took some risks late in game 3, illegally potting a ball in hopes Nightfur would miss on the 8. Nightfur obliged, rather begrudgingly missing at the top left, and Panda made a pair of shots at the end for the win to get the 3-0 sweep.

Lexi v. Watermelon. A fiendish league veteran takes on a captain with the blue cue. Lexi cracked a good start off the break in game 1, and her second turn got her close to a finish. Watermelon had a defensive posture, but Lexi broke it down with a bank on the 10 to the bottom side, and she won with the 8 at the top right on the next shot for the 1-0 series lead. Lexi had another good start in game 2, but Watermelon did much better to keep up with her this time. Both players needed a side pocket at the end, with Lexi achieving that faster, before Watermelon whiffed on the 8 to give Lexi the win anyway. Lexi took the series at 2-0. Watermelon appeared to have a lead in game 3, but a late scratch and some defense allowed Lexi to pull ahead and eventually win the game. Lexi took the series in a 3-0 sweep, giving her the chance to oppose Snuggle in the third round.

Mr. Snowman v. Patrido Salazar. A league veteran meets a hard-hitting unaffiliated player with the silver cue. Mr. Snowman had no trouble at the start of game 1, and used brute force to break Patrido's defense later in the game. Patrido had no chance with his positioning, and Mr. Snowman took an easy win for the 1-0 series lead. Patrido had the lead in much of game 2, but his attempt to get positioning on his last solid led to the 8 falling prematurely. Mr. Snowman gladly accepted the drama-draining win to clinch the series at 2-0. Patrido again jumped out to a significant lead in game 3, and with the series already decided, Mr. Snowman didn't do anything to stop him. In fact, Mr. Snowman accelerated Patrido's push to the win, settling for a 2-1 series win for himself. Irsyad Sudjana awaits Mr. Snowman in the third round.

Sage v. Ms. Kitty. Two older league players battle with the red cue to finish the second cycle. Neither player had a firm grip on game 1 until Sage made a final push with the solids. Ms. Kitty didn't have time to answer it, and Sage held for the win and 1-0 series lead. Sage took a cautious approach in game 2, spending most of her time setting shots up, while Ms. Kitty felt threatened enough to try all-out attack. Sage had to come from behind, but a four-ball run helped with that as she pulled ahead before making a pair of shots for the win to seal the series at 2-0. Sage ripped a five-ball run early in game 3, taking a massive lead. Ms. Kitty tried defense at the bottom left, but Sage broke it and won over her last two turns, sweeping the series 3-0. Sage is in the third round.

Sydney C. v. Twilight. The blue cue is back in action as a league rookie takes on a fearsome captain. Sydney had some chances to attack in game 1, but Twilight proved a bit strong, the recent MVP candidate working around the table fairly quickly for the win and 1-0 series lead. Twilight scratched on the break in game 2 but still struck first, weaving around the table to pot solids quickly. Sydney tried to line up most of her shots first, a failed strategy that Twilight easily defeated to secure the series at 2-0. Twilight had another strong break in game 3, but Sydney executed her attack much faster this time. Sydney won on a four-ball run-out after Twilight got down to her last ball, cutting the series score to 2-1. Twilight heads to the third round against Cyril Hendrickx.

Gabe v. Jake. Two respectable league veterans play with the silver cue. Jake had a quick route to his final ball, while Gabe took a longer time to get there. Both players interfered with the other near the end until Gabe missed contact. Jake made the final pair of shots from ball-in-hand for the win and 1-0 series lead. Jake pummeled a five-ball run right from the break while spotting Gabe a ball. Gabe made a valiant effort to catch up, but Jake patiently positioned himself for the win and took it while Gabe had a ball left. Jake clinched the series at 2-0 in dominating fashion. Jake had another good start in game 3 after Gabe scratched on his first turn. Gabe brought it close at the end, but he had two missed contact turns, and Jake ran away with the win after that. Jake's 3-0 series sweep sets him up to meet Leandro Gamboa in the third round.

Briana v. Mario. Two Queens Flames teammates meet with the red cue in this series. Briana couldn't make much offense early in game 1, but she was the first to break free as the game went on. Mario made it close at the end, but he missed contact, and Briana buried a pair of shots for the win to take a 1-0 series lead. Briana had a stripe on the break in game 2, but she illegally potted another one, and she had trouble after that. Mario still trailed for most of the game until using his defense to springboard onto a three-ball run-out for the win, tying the series at 1. Mario started out well in game 3, but struggled in the middle of the game. He likely would have lost if not for Briana's miss on the 8, which gave him one more chance. Mario converted a pair of shots to take the win, claiming the series at 2-1 and earning a third round spot.

Celestia v. Bianca. A pair of cousins from league play battle with the blue cue to start the fourth cycle. Celestia had a ball on the break and continued to lead for most of game 1. Bianca had her chances but lost positioning late, after Celestia used a strategic scratch. It worked out in the end, as Celestia made the shots she needed for the win and a 1-0 series lead. Celestia again held a lead for much of game 2, but she couldn't stay aligned at the top side when her attack slowed down. Bianca used this to her advantage, making three balls over her last two turns for the win, which tied the series at 1. Bianca started with a pair from the break, and she didn't let up at all in game 3. Celestia had one good push near the end to make it close, but Bianca sent the 8 to the top left for the win and 2-1 series win.

Rana Naqvi v. Shelley. A crafty unaffiliated player takes on an underrated league player with the silver cue. Rana had only defense to his name in game 1, and even that was a bit shaky. Shelley pushed Rana around easily and took her time in collecting the win for a 1-0 series lead. Shelley had a solid break in game 2, but Rana showed up with more strength this time, burying the top pockets first, then using two pairs of shots in his late game push to get the win. Rana's crafty organization tied the series at 1 as Shelley failed to finish her suit. Game 3 seemed like a lightning round, with Rana belting a four-ball run from his second turn, followed by Shelley potting three balls over two turns. Rana would finish it off with a well-executed three-ball run-out, taking the series 2-1 to earn his third round series against fellow unaffiliated player Louvel Lefevre.

Sydney S. v. Cowzart. The red cue rotates in as a pair of league players take their turns. Cowzart struck first in game 1, a critical factor as he was able to get onto the 8 faster than Sydney, who tried her best to kick the 4 to the top side on her last turn but failed. Cowzart tapped the 8 in at the top right for the win and 1-0 series lead. Cowzart fell behind in game 2 initially, but most of the offense arrived late, with Cowzart's four-ball run answered by a three-ball run for Sydney. Cowzart took advantage of Sydney's miss and made a pair of shots for the win to seal the series at 2-0. Sydney took more risks in game 3, unconcerned with the ramifications. Cowzart made a push at the end, but Sydney's any-means-necessary approach earned her a win to cut the series to 2-1. Cowzart takes on a Coastal rival in Nibbles in the third round.

Solaris v. Cheddar. An energetic young league player meets a relentlessly vengeful veteran with the blue cue. Solaris got off to a good start and didn't take long to get onto the 8 in game 1. Cheddar roared back with a three-ball run to make it close, but she jammed the 8 and Solaris made it on a kick for the win and 1-0 series lead. Solaris made two balls on the break as part of an initial three-ball run in game 2. Cheddar would make a later push, but she came up short as her bottom side shot refused to fall. Solaris took the 8 at the bottom right for the win to secure the series at 2-0. Solaris kept things close all game despite Cheddar's aggressive attacks on offense. Cheddar had to use positioning near the end, but it worked when Solaris rattled the 8 out of the top left. Cheddar made the last two shots for the win, but Solaris takes the series 2-1 and will meet Whiskers in the third round.

Gwandoya Makeba v. Niki. A powerful unaffiliated player meets a careful league player in the silver cue's last series today. Gwandoya had the better of play in game 1, but he also lacked positioning, getting bailed out by Niki illegally potting the 8 early. Gwandoya holds a 1-0 series lead thanks to that gift. Niki played a more cautious effort in game 2, and it worked out. Gwandoya had a difficult time lining up his final shot, giving Niki time to pick her shots and earn the win. Niki's victory tied the series at 1. Niki had nothing from her break, while Gwandoya smashed a five-ball run in on the first turn. Gwandoya had plenty of time to put his last solid in the top left before burying the 8, and Niki did hardly a thing to stop him. Gwandoya continues to the third round against Panda.

Klaus v. Wild Thing. Regional rivals play in the red cue's final series of the day after a break. Klaus had a decent break in game 1, but Wild Thing showed incredible control and patience on his turns. Wild Thing was rewarded with a three-ball run-out to grab the win for a 1-0 series lead. Wild Thing made two solids on the break and forced a rally at the end of game 2, only for Klaus' sloppy finishing skills to be rewarded with a tap-in on the 8 at the bottom side. Klaus had struggled earlier but still took the win, tying the series at 1. Wild Thing had to outplay Klaus at the end of game 3, and he wasn't able to do that. Klaus fired off a three-ball run-out in the battle at the end, taking the win and a 2-1 series win to earn his third round bid against unaffiliated legend Rodas Cazares.

Citrus v. Spencer Howard. A league veteran takes on a strongman from the unaffiliated pool in the final series of the day, using the blue cue. Citrus was faster on offense in game 1, striking on the break and adding plenty more after that. Spencer couldn't get in position fast enough to prevent Citrus from winning for the 1-0 series lead. Citrus struck on the break again in game 2, but Spencer provided far more resistance this time, getting down to his final ball before Citrus could bury the 8 for the win. Citrus clinched the series at 2-0. Citrus had some good moments in game 3, but Spencer finally had his breakthrough at the end for a win to leave Citrus with a 2-1 series win. Citrus faces Slinks in the third round.

We'll finish UPCL Premier Week 4 and the second round of this preseason competition tomorrow.

Heart of the Game 13-ball Tournament - Round 2 Day 2

We're back for action in the preseason tournament today, beginning with...

Precious v. Peach. Two aggressive league captains meet with the red cue in the first series. Peach had an ugly game 1 performance, scratching on the first turn and making only two balls during the rest of the game. Precious kept a clean effort going and easily took the win for a 1-0 series lead. Peach broke out for a four-ball run late in game 2, but after such a cold start, she just cleared the way for Precious to pot the 8 at the bottom left for the win. Precious sealed the series at 2-0 with this win. Precious backed off quite a bit in game 3, falling apart with a lack of positioning after making two balls on the break. Peach had no trouble from here, controlling the game quite well in her only win of the series. Precious advances to the third round on a 2-1 series win.

Hyunjae Kwak v. Axel Cools. Two of the coolest names among unaffiliated players meet with the blue cue. Momentum changed frequently in game 1, with Axel's mistakes early and late getting erased as Hyunjae couldn't cut the 8 to the bottom right. Axel made the last two shots for the win and 1-0 series lead. Hyunjae had a good enough start in game 2, but nothing could prepare him for Axel's five-ball run to get onto the 8. Hyunjae was caught out of position, and Axel made the 8 on the next turn for the win, clinching the series at 2-0. Axel couldn't get positioning fast enough in game 3, as Hyunjae's strategy worked far better for a late three-ball run. Hyunjae made the 8 from ball-in-hand after a foul by Axel, taking the win to cut the series to 2-1. Axel still advances to the third round.

Frisco Romero v. Lucio Adame. Two of the toughest hard hitting unaffiliated players clash with the silver cue. Frisco had better positioning in a close game 1 battle with Lucio, and ultimately Lucio's removal of Frisco's defense led to Frisco taking the win for a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw momentum swing wildly with a number of scratches and ruined position plays. Lucio delivered a highlight with a bank of the 3 off the corner of the bottom side, the top rail, the right rail, and the 8 to sneak it in the bottom right, and he then won on the next turn when Frisco missed his chance at the 8 on a kick play. Lucio's crazy win tied the series at 1. Frisco got down to the 8 in a quick game 3, but Lucio showed off his well-document finishing skill, rallying with a three-ball run-out to snatch the win and 2-1 series win away. Lucio is off to the third round.

Katelynn v. Gal. We're back to league players with the red cue back in action. Katelynn had a no-win break in game 1, leaving herself with no good option. Gal took solids and made it work after Katelynn gave her a gift. Gal pushed with four balls over the last two turns to hold off Katelynn's late rally, giving Gal the 1-0 series lead. Katelynn had her chances to catch up, but Gal proved quicker in game 2 as well. Gal made a pair on the break and a three-ball run-out at the end for the win, sealing the series at 2-0. Katelynn had the first offense in game 3, but she illegally potted the 8 in the top side on the same turn, quickly giving Gal the win. Gal swept the series 3-0 and will face the winner of the next series in the third round.

Jennifer v. Delila. The blue cue takes its turn with a pair of league players now. Jennifer had a surprisingly fast run thru game 1, attacking with a bit of good fortune, while Delila struggled and gave Jennifer a freebie. Jennifer's strong play earned her a 1-0 series lead. Jennifer didn't have as strong of an effort in game 2, but she still outplayed Delila by a fair amount. Delila had a chance for a big finishing run, but missed at the bottom left, allowing Jennifer to make a pair of shots to take a hard-fought win, securing the series at 2-0. Game 3 saw Delila do far better in keeping up with Jennifer's attacking pace, leading to a highly competitive game. Delila just managed to make three balls over her last two turns to take win. Jennifer still won the series 2-1, and she will face Gal in the third round.

Leonardo v. Leandro Gamboa. Similarly named players from separate pools are set to play with the silver cue. Leonardo had the early offense and plenty of chances to make a final push, but he came up flat, and Leandro weaved a three-ball run-out from Leonardo's mess to take the win for a 1-0 series lead. Leandro had a good break with one of each suit going down, but Leonardo prospered from it more. Leonardo had favorable position late in the game while Leandro chased his last ball. Leonardo escaped with the win after recording a three-ball run-out, tying the series at 1. Leonardo had his chances again in game 3, but he failed to keep the game clean. Leandro had a scratch or two as well, but Leonardo's came later, and Leandro had time to make the shots he needed to for the win. Leandro took the series 2-1, earning his third round spot.

Patches v. Stanley Watts. One of the league's most fearsome challenges an average unaffiliated player with the red cue. Stanley had all of the early offense in game 1, but had to fight off a jerky counterattack by Patches that saw her get onto the 8 despite a pair of scratches. After a short scuffle for the 8, Stanley potted it for the win and 1-0 series lead. Patches and Stanley erupted with a full fledged offense in game 2, with Patches prevailing at the end after sneaking ahead of Stanley's attacks and defenses. Patches' crafty win tied the series at 1. Stanley started off quite well with a three-ball run in game 3, but Patches caught up and used better positioning to get the win, firing a three-ball run-out at the end. Patches' 2-1 series win takes her to the third round.

Hershey v. Kitty. Inexperienced league players meet with the blue cue to bring the day to half-completion. Kitty had a scratch at an awful time late in game 1, allowing Hershey to go unabated for the 8. It took him two tries to convert, but Hershey won for a 1-0 series lead. Hershey and Kitty combined for a very fast game 2 battle, with Hershey getting on the 8 first only to see Kitty kick the 7 in the bottom side before kicking the 8 to the bottom right. Kitty's low-percentage double worked out to get her a win, tying the series at 1. Both players elected to remove the other's defense in game 3, as they wanted to avoid a stalemate. This mutual play benefited Hershey, who made a pair of shots after Kitty removed his defense to take the win. Hershey's 2-1 series win has reserved him a spot against Natal Badillo in the third round.

Steven v. Whiskers. Two sturdy league veterans are set to go with the silver cue. Steven had a good attack in game 1, but two things conspired to hold him back. One was his inability to make the 8 at the top right, and the other was the illegally potted ball discovered after the game that gifted the win to Whiskers anyway. Whiskers is up 1-0 in the series. Whiskers took game 2 by her own force, making one of each suit on the break and winning the late positioning battle that stymied Steven's more aggressive approach. Whiskers' win clinched the series in her favor at 2-0. Whiskers had Steven on the ropes at the end of a good game 3 battle, but Steven kicked the 8 in after Whiskers failed to make the same shot. Steven's win made it a 2-1 series win for Whiskers, who is off to the third round.

Shaggy v. Lorde. Two league players in their second year with their teams use the red cue to settle this series. Shaggy had a number of scratches in game 1 but still had a chance before scratching while making the 8 on a risky play. Lorde had stuck with the game to keep it close before receiving the gifted win for a 1-0 series lead. Lorde had a creative break in game 2, leading to a line of balls across the middle. The defensive game continued as Shaggy struggled to make her shots, but she eventually found the way through on a four-ball run-out after Lorde couldn't get out of her defensive shell. Shaggy's win retied the series at 1. Game 3 followed in the footsteps of the other two, with lots of errors and a difficult and slow finishing process. Both players got down to the last ball and scratched, and then they got onto the 8, which Shaggy took just in time at the end for the 2-1 series win. Shaggy will face Axel Cools in the third round.

Sarah v. Chelsea. A league rookie faces a consistent veteran with the blue cue in this series. Chelsea's experience showed in game 1, as she converted her shots with a bit more ease and class than Sarah could. Chelsea won by two balls for a 1-0 series lead. Sarah did a better job with late game positioning in game 2, besting Chelsea in that regard after a quick start to the game. Sarah used her good positioning to create a three-ball run-out for the win, tying the series at 1 game apiece. Chelsea and Sarah had a race to the finish in game 3, with Chelsea proverbially spinning out at the end with a scratch. Sarah made the last two shots for the win, taking the series 2-1 and heading to the third round.

Stealth v. Chris. A more experienced pair of league veterans goes with the silver cue. Stealth had the jump on Chris from the start of game 1, and then backed it up with good defense at the top left until he was ready to make a pair of shots for the win. Stealth leads the series at 1-0. Stealth made quick work of Chris again in game 2, potting a stripe on the break and then doing a little set-up work after that. Chris scratched at one point, leading to Stealth igniting a five-ball run-out for the win, which secured the series for him at 2-0. Stealth had another fiery start in game 3, quickly getting onto the 8, but he missed his one clear chance to sink it, and this time Chris fought back enough to get the win on his second try at the 8. Stealth still won the series 2-1, and he will face Ruby in the third round.

Twinkie II v. Oshri Aharonov. A league captain meets one of the craftiest unaffiliated players with the red cue. Oshri had to wait for his chance to strike, as Twinkie II had plenty of offense early in game 1. Oshri then countered with a three-ball run with a good set-up to finish it, and he won with a pair of shots on the next turn, giving him the 1-0 series lead. Twinkie II accepted a reversed role in game 2, as Oshri had a good start and wonderful early positioning before going weak on consecutive turns. Twinkie II used that to her advantage, rallying to the win to tie the series at 1. Twinkie II had to play from behind after Oshri started with a three-ball run in game 3. Twinkie II got onto her last ball, but made illegal contact on her last turn, and Oshri put the game to rest with a three-ball run-out from there. Oshri is emerging as a dark horse favorite after this 2-1 series win gets him into the third round.

Louvel Lefevre v. Gerben Bovelt. A tricky unaffiliated player meets a strategist from the same group with the blue cue. Louvel jumped out to a hot start with a four-ball run, quickly overwhelming Gerben's best chances at a win. Gerben scratched late to set Louvel up for the easy shot on the 8, which gave Louvel a 1-0 series lead. Louvel had the lead and then lost it when he realized he was aiming at the wrong pockets. He still got onto the 8 before Gerben, but he couldn't corral it, chasing it around while Gerben played defensively. Gerben's tactics worked, and he eventually made a pair of shots to get the win, tying the series at 1. Gerben had a good start in game 3, but his positioning at the top side would cost him the game. Louvel's fine counterattack left him in a good position, and he converted a three-ball run-out for the win on the final turn. Louvel took the series 2-1 to reach the third round.

Melissa v. Caitlin. After a break, two league players meet with the silver cue administering its last series of the day. Melissa had two bursts of offense at each end of game 1, the latter pushing her past a growing stalemate with Caitlin en route to the win. Melissa leads the series 1-0 after a trying first game. Melissa had a strong start in game 2 as well, but she couldn't settle a shot at the top side. Caitlin rallied with a well-played four-ball run and then took the 8 two turns later at the bottom right for the win, tying the series at 1. Melissa had the lead for a good portion of game 3, but too many scratched tipped the game in favor of Caitlin, who pulled away at the end with three balls over two turns for the win. Caitlin took the series 2-1, and will play on into the third round.

Mitchell v. Kayla. A couple of friends in the league play the final series today with the red cue. Kayla struck first in game 1, then faced a scare as Mitchell made five balls over two turns to get very close to winning. Kayla stayed steady, battling back and making some good shots to position herself well before earning the win for a 1-0 series lead. Kayla had a decent break, but it was Mitchell making one of each suit on his first turn. This quickly ballooned into a table-running adventure on solids, as Mitchell picked up the win with one brilliant attack. The series is tied at 1 heading into the decisive game. Kayla had the early burst of offense in game 3, taking her chances in the attack at first. Mitchell didn't wait long to catch up, eventually overtaking Kayla and getting the win for a 2-1 series win. Mitchell is set to play in the third round.

Just two more days in the second round, with the next being played tomorrow.

Elite Cricket 2019 - Week 4

Elite is playing its entire schedule on Tuesday this week, beginning with...

Toyota Pitch, Freedom: The Cascades have Nikolai on the bench for rest in their only game of the week, while the Tridents sit Lize to start a road doubleheader. Precious continued to make an MVP case, slugging 1062 right from the start for Pronger. Jasmine answered with 833 for Freedom, making this game closer than many expected after the first turn. Spot gathered another 560 for the Tridents on the second attack, keeping the scoring high. Roxy tried to break her slump, but fell at 152, a fourth consecutive bad appearance for the veteran. Zach slipped at 280 for Pronger, adding only mildly to their lead this time. Stripes had excellent pace as she slammed 583 for Freedom, cutting into the deficit with a player each to go. Potter added 425 for the Tridents at the end of their game, putting them at a total of 2327. Stinky pushed 355 for the Cascades, leaving them short in a loss with 1923. Pronger is up to 6-2, while Freedom drops to 3-3.

Sony Stadium, Queens: The Tridents complete a four-game road trip with Zach on the bench, while the hosting Flames give Mario rest in the first of two games between these teams this week. Precious backed off the pace a bit with 578 for Pronger, still a good opening turn from the captain. Crystal got most of it back with 513 for Queens, leaving the game to be decided by the rest of the players. Spot had a high hit to end his turn at only 245 for the Tridents, a disappointing early exit. Violetta covered the deficit with 329, but could have had so much more given her great pace. Potter cautiously built his way to 497 for Pronger, regaining the lead on a temporary basis. Briana dropped with 361 for Queens, unable to take the lead back as the hosts trail heading into the final turn. Lize remained consistent with 537 for the Tridents, capping their offense at 1857. Hannah went deep with 627 for the Flames, but this only gave them 1830 in a narrow loss. Pronger survives a tough trip to get to 7-2, while Queens drops to 3-2.

Verizon Field, Pacific: Both teams wear their alternate jerseys, with the Volcanoes sitting their captain Starlight to rest for the other half of the doubleheader, while Josie rests for the division-leading Waves. Snuggle rocked 503 for Oceanside to begin the game, staying in excellent form. Ms. Kitty wrapped up 376 for Pacific on their first turn, keeping them within striking distance early on. Celestia chopped 600 in response for the Waves, extending their lead with a confident appearance. Twinkie I tried an aggressive response for the Volcanoes, but it backfired with her ending at 214. Dewey, knowing he has a game off later this week, launched 736 for Oceanside to boost their lead again. Leonette had only 276 for Pacific on her turn, the hosts acknowledging this game is out of reach. Jason V. answered with 534 for the Waves, their offense resting at 2373 in a likely win. Cowzart made a valiant push with 806 for the Volcanoes, but they still lost with 1672. Oceanside rises to 7-1 on the year, while Pacific is down to 2-4.

Henry Ford Memorial Stadium, Pronger: The Tridents have Spot on the bench for this game, while the Volcanoes face another tough test with Twinkie I sitting out for rest. Starlight returned to the Pacific lineup with force, smashing 843 on the opening turn for a big lead. Precious tried another backhand slip late in her turn, but ended up with only 395 for Pronger, potentially showing signs of fatigue. Ms. Kitty ripped 619 for the Volcanoes in her return to the second hitting slot, extending their lead nicely. Zach faded off at 371, as it looks like the Tridents are a bit gassed and unprepared halfway through this game. Leonette crashed out with an embarrassing 65 for Pacific, destabilizing their lead a bit. Potter got overwhelmed at 263 for Pronger, unable to capitalize on the visitors' mistakes. Cowzart mistimed a swing, ending with 376 to give the Volcanoes a final score of 1903. Lize fell with 96 for the Tridents, leaving them at a loss with 1125. Pacific rebounds to 3-4 on the year, while Pronger drops to 7-3.

GE Stadium, Southridge: The second Greek game for the Defenders sees Caitlin on the bench, while the Crowns rest Brownie to close out a disastrous seven-game road trip, regardless of this result. Kayla sent 572 for Royal to get them started in a positive manner. Bianca answered with a decent 401 for Southridge, keeping them in the game fairly well. Jake responded with 595 for the Crowns, carving out a fantastic pace for the big performance. Debby took some heavy swings for the Defenders, firing back with 627 to actually shrink the deficit slightly at the midway mark. Nightfur sank with 329 for Royal, weakening their lead a bit after her turn. Stephanie pushed closer with 405 for Southridge, the hosts gaining ground heading into the final players' turns. Cassie collected 463 for the Crowns at the end, setting their final score at 1959 in the rivalry game. Wario tried to cover the deficit for the Defenders, but his 466 left them short at 1899 in the loss. Royal is 1-8 on the year, while Southridge falls into last place at 0-5.

Verizon Field, Pacific: The Volcanoes are sitting Leonette in this one, while the visiting Defenders give Bianca her first rest of the year as they finish a doubleheader. Debby didn't have much pace for Southridge at first, but she stayed on course and tallied 600 by the end of her turn. Starlight showed a little more intensity and did a little better with 625 for Pacific to give them a small lead. Stephanie tried to play aggressive for the Defenders, which didn't work as a high hit downed her at 300. Ms. Kitty mostly kept her composure in scoring 456 for the Volcanoes, adding a good amount to their lead. Wario had some wild swings, but his last one went high and finished his turn at 304 as Southridge loses a bit more ground. Twinkie I tried to mimic her captain, but a bad swing again cut a player down, this time at 285 as Pacific remains narrowly ahead. Caitlin added 441 to give the Defenders 1645 in total. Cowzart shut down the worries with 619 for the Volcanoes, icing their win at 1985. Pacific is even again at 4-4, while Southridge drops to 0-6 in a nightmarish start to the season.

Kraft Crowns Park, Royal: The Crowns now begin a four-game home stand after the long road trip, sitting their captain Nightfur against the Knights, who are without Quincy to start their two-game Southeastern tour. Kiwi crushed an even 1200 for Terrace City to establish an immense lead right from the start. Kayla tried to use pace to mitigate the damage, but a high swing ended her effort at 180 for a likely overmatched Royal side. Jennifer had pace at first but eased up to score 361 for the Knights, who can probably take this one easy. Jake made up a little ground with 467 for the Crowns, but they remain far behind at the halfway mark. Oreo slapped 407 for Terrace City, making a solid contribution to their offense. Brownie didn't bounce back well from her game off, hitting a measly 96 for Royal in a lost cause. Melissa went off with 629 for the Knights at the end, icing their near-guaranteed win at 2597. Cassie provided 405 for the Crowns, bringing their losing total to 1148. Terrace City gets back to winning at 8-2, while Royal falls back to 1-9 with the loss.

Nike Field, Commerce: The Tradewinds are set to give Taylor S. rest in their only game this week, while Snuggle is scheduled to sit out for the division-leading Waves. Celestia looked strong with 548 in a rare lead-off chance for Oceanside, pacing them to a good start. Tigerette replied with 629 for Commerce on their first turn, pulling the hosts ahead by a small margin. Josie doubled the Waves offense with 547 on her turn, keeping the hosts honest. Solaris muscled up to crank out 1074 for the Tradewinds, giving their lead a massive boost midway through the game. Dewey couldn't do much with his turn, scoring 373 to make a small dent in the deficit. Niki tapped 280 on her turn for Commerce, seeing as they are not in much danger. Jason V. made a late push with 426 for the Waves, leaving them at a loss with 1894. Rosemary grabbed 405 to ice the Tradewinds win at 2388. The surprise win gets Commerce up to 4-5, while Oceanside falls out of first place at 7-2.

Verizon Field, Pacific: The first of two straight Coastal Derby matches sees the Volcanoes sit Leonette again, while the Surfers rest Neopolitan for the first time this season. Watermelon got going with 353 for Pearl, a slightly weaker than expected performance. Starlight answered with 509 for Pacific on her turn, giving them an advantage after the first turn. Boots attacked with an impressive 858 for the Surfers, recovering a strong lead on the second attack. Ms. Kitty couldn't quite place her swings right, falling at 274 as the Volcanoes slip behind. Bright had a missed swing that brought him down at 368 for Pearl, potentially leaving them a little more vulnerable. Twinkie I went off with 1045 for Pacific, covering the deficit smoothly in the process. Beth had to try a backhand at the end of her turn, falling at 256 when it failed to give the Surfers a loss at 1835. Cowzart poked 274 to ice the Volcanoes win at 2102. Pacific has had a good week, rising to 5-4, passing the 3-4 Pearl side they just defeated.

AT&T Oceanside Stadium, Oceanside: The Waves use their Nightwave theme while resting Dewey, while the visiting Stills give Ruby the game off. Sierra didn't waste time in attack, scoring 692 for Todavía to start them off quite well. Snuggle got some of it back with 425 for Oceanside, but the hosts will have their work cut out for them. Bells dropped off with 280 for the Stills on the next turn, weakening their lead with the middling appearance. Celestia regained some ground with 408 for the Waves, but they remain slightly behind at the halfway point. Easter ripped 710 after a slow start for Todavía, building her attack gradually through the turn. Josie didn't help Oceanside's comeback cause at all, her measly 64 likely responsible for another loss. Prism tacked on 496 for the Stills at the end of the game, giving them a total of 2178. Jason V. couldn't get anywhere near the deficit with his 287, leaving the Waves in a loss with 1184. Todavía's surprising win gets them to 2-3, while Oceanside is falling off to 7-3.

GE Stadium, Southridge: The winless Defenders have Stephanie on the bench for rest for the first time this season, while the division-leading Knights rest Oreo. Kiwi maintained her aggressive starts with 778 for Terrace City, giving them a significant lead from the opening turn. Bianca did alright at mitigating the damage with 441 for Southridge, her incredible pace helping quite a bit. Jennifer kept up the pace for the Knights with 806 on her turn, more than doubling their offense. Debby managed 467 for the Defenders in response, giving them a second good turn despite the large deficit. Quincy fought off that attack with 556 for Terrace City in a rare road appearance for the sophomore. Wario kept that turn close with 537 for Southridge, as they show a little offensive power. Melissa showed no mercy with 518 for the Knights, capping their likely win at 2658. Caitlin's first home appearance ended at 240 for the Defenders, giving them a losing total of 1685. Terrace City is up to 9-2, while Southridge sinks again to 0-7.

Henry Ford Memorial Stadium, Pronger: Lize will sit for the Tridents for the second time in their busy week, while the Flames sit Briana as they look to avenge a loss from earlier in the week. Crystal opened the scoring with a crisp 476 for Queens, a solid performance for the captain. Precious kept it close with a high-pace turn that ended at 434 for Pronger, a fair response. Violetta upped the ante with 520 for the Flames, extending their lead with a strong second attack. Spot showed even more strength with 714 for the Tridents, covering the deficit to produce a mid-game lead. Mario rallied with 950 for Queens, continuing the escalating attacks each team has levied against the other. Zach slapped 605 for Pronger, unable to cover the deficit but keeping the game close enough as the final players step up to bat. Hannah wavered at the end, falling at 334 to leave the Flames exposed with 2280 total. Potter took 490 for the Tridents at the end, giving them a total of 2243 in a narrow loss. Queens rises to 4-2 in the revenge win, while Pronger falls back to 7-4, losing ground at the competitive top of the division.

That's all for this week of games in Elite. Tomorrow and Friday will see Premier play week 4, with any run-over on Saturday.

Heart of the Game 13-ball Tournament - Round 2 Day 1

We're back for the second round of the preseason. First up...

Manolito Avalos v. Snuggle. A threatening unaffiliated player takes on a league captain with the silver cue. Manolito made two stripes legally and another double-potted on the game 1 break. Snuggle fired back with a brilliant four-ball run, and he won on the second turn with a well-made three-ball run-out for the 1-0 series lead. Manolito had a clearer advantage after Snuggle scratched early in game 2. Manolito just needed to convert at the bottom right, but he struggled to do so, giving Snuggle time to pull even before running away with the win on a three-ball run-out. Snuggle's late push secured the series for him at 2-0. Manolito found himself out of position for much of a quick game 3, while Snuggle took stripes early and weaved around the table before winning with a five-ball run-out. Snuggle swept the series 3-0 to be the first player in the third round.

Thabo Chahine v. Shadow. The red cue's first series sees an unaffiliated graybeard take on one of the league's finest. Shadow struck first in game 1 with a nice attack on solids, but he couldn't corral the 7 to the bottom left. Thabo roared back after a slow start, burying a five-ball run-out for the win to take a 1-0 series lead. Shadow found himself just out of position for much of game 2, his best chance at a comeback run ending with a scratch. Thabo took his time to make the 8, but he got the job done for the win, sealing the series at 2-0. Thabo couldn't shut things down in game 3, his shots sporadic and inaccurate. Shadow didn't have his best effort either, but he did enough to take the win, cutting the series down to 2-1 at the end.

Martin Badillo v. Sweetheart. An unaffiliated strategist takes on another strong league veteran with the blue cue. Martin made three balls over his first two turns before the weight of game 1 weighed him down a bit. Sweetheart played a lot of defense at the end, but missed contact near the 11 allowed Martin to pot the final two shots from ball-in-hand for a 1-0 series lead with his win. Martin struggled with his shots in game 2, but Sweetheart was wholly unable to pull ahead of him at any point. Martin did enough to put the 8 in the top right on his third try for the win, clinching the series at 2-0. Martin managed to play defense after a stick foul early in game 3, blocking Sweetheart from potting her last ball, but Sweetheart's counterdefense worked well, and Martin illegally potted the 8 via a contact foul to gift Sweetheart a win. Martin took the series at 2-1 to reach the third round.

Nibbles v. Snowball. The first all-league series is with the silver cue between a third-year and a star. Nibbles made a triple on the break in game 1, a fantastic start to the game. Snowball roared back and even got onto the 8 first, but Nibbles did enough defensively to draw illegal contact before he took the 8 for the win from ball-in-hand. Nibbles leads the series at 1-0. Nibbles had a good break in game 2, but went empty and allowed Snowball to have a big opening run. Nibbles did well to get back into the game, but Snowball overcame a late scratch and took the 8 to the bottom right for the win, tying the series at 1. Snowball had good positioning for most of game 3, but she faded at the end with missed shots. Nibbles also dropped off a bit, but not so much, and the difference was him coming from behind to get the win. Nibbles took the series 2-1.

Josie v. Rodas Cazares. A sophomore in the league meets one of the best unaffiliated players with the red cue. Josie did alright from the break, but Rodas had a jump start in game 1 and pulled ahead quickly. Josie caught up on a four-ball run before missing on the 8. Rodas made the last two shots for the win and 1-0 series lead. Rodas had trouble lining shots up in game 2, and he illegally took ball-in-hand late in the game, leading Josie to the win two turns later after she kept a level head throughout. Josie's win tied the series at 1. Josie and Rodas each had great starts in game 3, but it came down to the bottom left, where Josie made a defensive play to block Rodas on the 8, but Rodas got around it and won anyway. Rodas took the series 2-1, a thrilling play sending him to the third round.

Smokey v. Dobromil Zeman. A strong league veterans takes on an unaffiliated trickster with the blue cue. Smokey had a tough time getting his offense going at first, but Dobromil floundered for much of the game as well. Smokey had to hold off Dobromil's last run at the end by putting the 8 in the bottom left for the win and 1-0 series lead. Dobromil jumped out to a lead at one point in a fast-moving game 2, but Smokey backed up his pair of stripes on the break with a four-ball run-out at the end, grabbing the win to secure the series at 2-0. Dobromil had the lead for almost all of game 3, but when he removed Smokey's defense, Smokey did enough to pull away for the win on a pair of shots. Smokey swept the series 3-0, heading to the third round with confidence.

Natal Badillo v. Lucila Zavala. A tactician meets a strongman as unaffiliated players clash with the silver cue. Natal struck first on the second turn of game 1, and he easily navigated the rack from there, while Lucila had few shots go his way. Natal's smart play ended with a pair of shots for the win and 1-0 series lead. Lucila had the better play in game 2, as Natal struggled from the break and caught himself out of position near the end of the game. Lucila converted five shots over his last three turns, the result of careful set-up play earlier that helped him earn the win to tie the series at 1. Natal wasted no time in game 3 in earning the win, answering Lucila's opening three-ball run with a seven-ball run-out. Natal's lightning in a bottle gave him a 2-1 series win to get to the third round.

Spice v. Vincent. The red cue cycles back into action for these two league players. Spice took no time to claim stripes in game 1, and then both players went into construction mode. Vincent had to break Spice's defense to have a chance, but Spice banked the 8 to the top side on the next turn, taking the win for a 1-0 series lead. Spice got off to a hot start in game 2, and then slowed down as she attacked the sides. Vincent followed the same pattern but a few turns back, and he came a ball short of getting onto the 8 before Spice buried it for the win to secure the series at 2-0. Spice didn't have the same attacking prowess in game 3, allowing Vincent much more possession. Vincent used it well, collecting his shots calmly to take the win. Spice advances to the third round with a 2-1 series win.

Cyril Hendrickx v. Diddley. After defeating the youngest brother, a league veteran goes for the eldest Hendrickx with the blue cue. Cyril had the better of play in game 1, with most of the bounces favoring him over Diddley. Cyril's good fortunes extended to the finish as he made the 8 on his second try after nearly letting Diddley back in the game. Cyril leads the series 1-0. Cyril was stunned to see Diddley bury four balls over his first two turns of game 2. Cyril tried to rally from behind, but had to make a defensive play that didn't hold up. Diddley ended two turns later on a crafty pair of shots to get the win, tying the series at 1. Diddley quickly got down to his final ball in game 3, but he couldn't align it with the top right. Cyril stormed back on a three-ball run to get onto the 8 before burying the winning shot on the next turn. Cyril avenged his brother in a 2-1 series win to get to the third round.

Irsyad Sudjana v. Bojing Luo. A crafty tactician meets a sneaky opponent with the silver cue. Bojing quickly had four balls down in game 1, but his ability to strike the left corners was much less. Irsyad patiently waited for his chance to strike with a five-ball run-out at the end, making it count for a win with a 1-0 series lead when he did make his move. Irsyad didn't need a comeback in game 2, leading it wire-to-wire as Bojing struggled for positioning at nearly every pocket. Irsyad was slow to finish the win, but he eventually tapped the 8 to the top right to seal the series at 2-0. Irsyad seemed to fade as game 3 progressed, losing his touch later in the game. Bojing had to be patient in his shooting, eventually finding his way onto the 8 to take the win. Irsyad took the series 2-1, sending him to the third round.

Pepillo Gamboa v. Slinks. An unheralded unaffiliated player meets a dangerous veteran with the red cue. Pepillo simply didn't have much in the way of offense in game 1, allowing Slinks to slowly build her way to a win. Slinks took her time and only scratched once, earning a 1-0 series lead. Pepillo will regret a jittery miss on his first turn of game 2, as it allowed Slinks to claim solids. This proved to be the better suit in a close game, as Slinks and Pepillo were even until Slinks made a pair of shots on her final turn due to better positioning. Slinks clinched the series at 2-0 with this win. Pepillo ran free in game 3, with Slinks doing what she could to accelerate the end of the game. Pepillo's best play was a four-ball run, although he had some sloppy turns in the win as well. Pepillo's win gave Slinks a 2-1 series win to take with her to the third round.

Neopolitan v. Chicky Phil. League veterans go at it with the blue cue to complete the fourth cycle. Chicky Phil had lined up a comeback run at all the corners, but a scratch and a missed shot on consecutive turns ruined his game 1 plan. Neopolitan used the extra time to take the win for a 1-0 series lead. Chicky Phil needed more precision on his shots in game 2, but that didn't happen. Chicky Phil chased a couple of balls around the table near the end before Neopolitan lined up and converted three balls over her last two turns for the win, sealing the series at 2-0. Neopolitan played a more listless game 3 effort, allowing Chicky Phil to get a big lead before she rallied from behind. Neopolitan got onto her last ball, but it was not in position, and Chicky Phil would grab the win. Neopolitan's 2-1 series win puts her into the third round.

Dewey v. Puff II. After a short break, the silver cue is back in action with these two league players. Puff II didn't have much beyond a four-ball run late in game 1, which ended with her missing the 6 at the bottom left. Dewey came back and made a three-ball run-out from here to get the win for a 1-0 series lead. Puff II went after it in game 2 quickly, attacking a bit recklessly. Her scratch unraveled a plan to set her shots up, giving Dewey enough time to defend the bottom right until he was ready to pick up a three-ball run-out for the win to seal the series at 2-0. Puff II had her chances to make a defining run in game 3, but she played it too safe. Dewey made the comeback from here, pounding in a pair of shots eventually to sweep the series 3-0. Dewey is headed to the third round.

Lionel v. Ruby. A powerful league veteran meets one of the most skilled in the league with the red cue. Lionel spotted Ruby a ball early in game 1, but Ruby couldn't do much else, making just one ball from ball-in-hand after Lionel had illegal contact. Lionel had a crafty spinning kick to sink the 10 at the bottom side before putting the 8 in the bottom left for the win and 1-0 series lead. Lionel looked fully prepared to steamroll his way through game 2, but an illegally potted ball slowed him down near the end .Ruby took the lead and then put the 8 in the bottom right a couple of turns later to claim the win, tying the series at 1. Lionel had the lead again in game 3, but his skills fell apart after a late scratch took him off of the 8. Ruby took over, making the last two shots in the game to get the win for a 2-1 series win that sends her into the third round.

Quincy v. Mams. The reigning league MVP takes on a solid veteran in the blue cue's last series of the day. Quincy lost the battle at the side pockets late in game 1, unable to hold off Mams' shots from those positions. Mams took the 8 at the bottom right for the win, earning a 1-0 series lead. Mams had gotten down to her last ball in game 2 when her luck took a turn for the worse. Quincy went on a three-ball run to catch up, and then Mams made one of his balls accidentally. Quincy made a pair of shots on his next turn for the win, tying the series at 1 game apiece. Both players should be ashamed of their game 3 performance, with multiple scratches on each side with two or fewer balls left. Mams prevailed, buckling down at the end to pick up the win for a 2-1 series win that takes her to the third round.

Maxwell Jennings v. Nikolai. The silver cue closes the day with an unaffiliated player against a league strongman. Nikolai struck first in game 1, but he couldn't make it stand against clever defense and positioning by Maxwell, who rallied late for the win and 1-0 series lead. Maxwell tried to hang on in game 2, even as Nikolai got down to his last ball. Maxwell made his last two solids but whiffed on the 8 toward the bottom right, allowing Nikolai to counter with a pair of shots for the win. Nikolai's mixed-bag game was enough to tie the series at 1, setting up a decisive finale. Maxwell was on the edge of winning when he hit the 8 too short to the bottom side. Nikolai's careful assembly of a run was necessary, and he executed the four-ball play to get the win and a 2-1 series win. Nikolai lived on the edge to advance to the third round.

We will resume round two of the competition on Wednesday.

Select Cricket 2019 - Week 4

We're ready to go with Select Week 4, beginning with...

Sprint Pitch, Victoria: The Spurs give Spice this game off, while the Monarchs begin a four-game road trip, all in this week, with Mams getting her first rest of the season. Panda let a ball skip over his bat, but not before scoring 402 for Southern in his formerly familiar lead-off spot. Yekaterina fired back with a pacey 494 for Victoria on their first turn, giving the hosts a slight lead. Pounce showed some fire for the Monarchs with 679 on the second attack, putting them farther ahead. Sage responded with a decent 418, giving the Spurs a bit of a comeback to assemble. Dominic let up a bit with 341 for Southern, weakening their lead at a critical point. Strawberry charged forward with 567, leading Victoria ahead again with a turn left in the game. Salmo continued to struggle, his 279 leaving the Monarchs vulnerable at 1701 overall. Mitchell maintained a steady hand long enough to tally 369 for the Spurs, capping their win at 1848. Victoria goes to 8-1 on the season with the close win, while Southern falls again to 0-6.

IBM Nighthawks Nest, North Modernistic: Two former expansion teams meet, as Gal sits for the Nighthawks out of their bye week, while Vladimir is on the bench as the Wolves finish a five-game road trip. Juno had bite on her turn for Stonebridge, but fell at 402 after a high hit downed the fit captain. Peach hammered 729 for North Modernistic in response, growing into her turn as it went along. Cobalt fired back with 590 for the Wolves, keeping their offense strong on the second attack. Cheddar basically matched it with 587 for the Nighthawks, maintaining their lead well. Hershey had some wild swings for Stonebridge, likely contributing to him adding only 280 to their score. Lionel added more cushion to the North Modernistic lead with his 470. Wild Thing went off for a second consecutive game, his 744 for the Wolves giving them 2016 total, which requires the hosts to respond. Luigi answered the challenge with 550 for the Nighthawks, capping their win at 2336. North Modernistic improves to 5-2, while Stonebridge harshly falls to 3-4.

Sprint Pitch, Victoria: A more formidable foe sees the Spurs sit Mitchell to end their three-game home stand, while the visiting Union rest Kodiak for this meeting with the division leaders. Ms. Puppy's trouble with offense continued as she hit only 113 for Modernistic to start this game. Spice did no better, returning from a game off with just 112 to start for Victoria. Daisy had a shaky and unsteady pace to her game, producing 359 for the Union on the second attack. Yekaterina hasn't had her usual longevity this week, but she hit 509 here to give the Spurs a mid-game lead. Puff I countered with 600 for Modernistic, raising the stakes as the game progresses. Sage had just 144 for Victoria, unable to cover the deficit as the game enters its final stages. Sydney C. has been the Union's most reliable player so far, tacking on 522 to their score here for a total of 1594. Strawberry had a decent 450 individually, but the Spurs collectively lost at 1215. Modernistic pulled off a nice upset to get to 2-2, while Victoria slides back to 8-2 on the year.

Home Depot Forum, Web City: The Spiders will rest Jack in this game against the only team below them in the standings, while the Monarchs give Dominic this game off. Mams put Southern on the right track at the start with 532, a positive start for the beleaguered franchise. Waluigi fired back with 517 for Web City, keeping things close at the start. Panda kept the game in the same scoring range with 521 for the Monarchs, challenging the hosts to keep up. Ted had 494 for the Spiders in response, causing them to fall slightly farther behind in the extremely close game. Pounce had a bad swing to fall at 264 for Southern, leaving them vulnerable after a mild turn. Avril went with 375 for Web City against her former team, edging the hosts ahead with a player each to go. Salmo found his offense with 518 for the Monarchs here, giving them a total of 1835 for the game. Chicky Phil grabbed 460 for the Spiders at the end, putting them at 1846 in an uncomfortably narrow win. Web City rises to 3-5, while Southern drops again to 0-7 in one of their best opportunities of the year.

Mercedes-Benz Field, Harrison: The Specters sit Twinkie II in the first of two meetings with the Gems this week, while the visitors have Pedey resting to end their four-game road trip. Shadow wasted no time in establishing a massive lead for Diamond with 944 on the first turn of the game. Sydney S. had an awful time against Shadow's bowling, falling at a measly 60 points for Harrison. Smokey nearly did a crafty backhand flick, just missing the necessary height as he ended with 339 for the Gems. Blizzard made up a lot of ground with 858 for the Specters, chunking the deficit down quite well. Katelynn responded with 819 for Diamond, offsetting the damage to keep the visitors ahead. Lexi had the pace but not enough stamina to go beyond 450 for Harrison, causing them to lose ground again. Leonardo cancelled that out with 490 for the Gems, closing their offense at 2592. Rudolph had a solid 410 for the Specters, but they would be far short of a win at 1778 overall. Diamond is up to 3-4 on the year, while Harrison's busy schedule takes them to 6-4.

FedEx Ground, Eastside: Sage rotates out of the Spurs lineup for this one-off road game for regular rest, while the Sharks are sitting their rookie Taylor M. in hopes of getting revenge on their visitors. Spice lacked pace but got back into form with 529 for Victoria, a good opener from the captain. Graham missed his spot on his third swing, falling with a pathetic 50 for Eastside. Yekaterina offered good offense with 570 on the second attack, extending the Spurs lead greatly. Chelsea went for a high pace, but ended up with an average 361 for the Sharks after a bad swing. Strawberry kept Victoria on the attack with 418 on her turn, boosting their lead again. Gizmo collapsed with 162 for Eastside, likely erasing any chance they had at a long comeback push. Mitchell had a sloppy swing-and-miss to end with 224 for the Spurs, giving them a total of 1741. Cubby did alright with 335, leaving the Sharks with a pitiful total of 908 in the loss. Victoria is back to winning at 9-2, while Eastside drops to 11th place with a 1-5 record.

Subway Field, Stonebridge: The Monarchs' third of a four-game road trip sees Pounce on the bench against the Wolves, who give their captain Juno rest to start a four-game home stand. Mams opened with 439 for Southern, a decent performance from the lead-off spot. Cobalt made a clutch play on his backhand, but his lack of pace caught him when he exited with 337 for Stonebridge. Panda answered with a stronger 554 for the Monarchs, extending their lead with a good appearance. Hershey tried to recover most of it with 441 for the Wolves, but they remain behind at the halfway mark. Dominic outright missed a swing for Southern, closing his turn with 367 points as the visitors try to hold a lead. Wild Thing muscled up with 690 for Stonebridge on this turn, pulling them ahead with a player each to go. Salmo covered the deficit with 250, leaving the Monarchs ahead with 1610. Vladimir went with 550 for the Wolves, blowing past the visitors for the win on 2018. Stonebridge moves up to 4-4, while Southern has to be frustrated at 0-8 after blowing a lead.

Volkswagen Stadium, Viewpoint Sound: Both lead-off hitters will sit here, as Princess and Ms. Puppy find themselves on the bench for performance reasons. Daisy had only 208 in a rare lead-off turn for Modernistic, a poor start for the inconsistent visitors. Hoot cranked 681 for Viewpoint Sound in response, giving the hosts a significant lead initially. Puff I had some pace for awhile, but a poorly-placed swing cut her off at 290 for the Union, which wasn't enough to cover the deficit. Frosty added a supporting attack of 619 for the Meteors, strengthening their lead greatly at the midway point. Kodiak pierced 580 for Modernistic, pushing their attack forward despite the deficit they face. Nibbles faded a bit with 274 for Viewpoint Sound, his lack of pace the most troubling part of the effort. Sydney C. did alright with 407 for the Union, but they suffered a loss with 1485. Dani covered that with 476, bringing the Meteors total up to 2050 in the win. Viewpoint Sound jumps to 3-3, while Modernistic falls back to 2-3.

The Intel Pitch, Diamond: The Gems look to double up their success against the Specters, but the hosts have their captain Smokey on the bench, while Sydney S. takes regular rest for the visitors. Twinkie II knew to get a jump with 690 for Harrison after watching how badly her side fell behind in the previous meeting. Shadow got a good portion of it back with 451 for Diamond, but there's work left for his teammates. Blizzard answered with 544 for the Specters, a good second attack to keep their lead strong. Pedey had fantastic pace, but it didn't last long enough, as his 398 caused the Gems to lose ground. Lexi kept Harrison's offense moving with 490, another good turn to keep the visitors ahead. Katelynn chipped back with 537 for Diamond, making a small gain that doesn't change the outlook of the game. Rudolph lifted 556 for the Specters at the end, icing their offense at 2280. Leonardo didn't pull off a miracle, his 394 leaving the Gems at a loss with 1780. Harrison got their revenge, going to 7-4, while Diamond is back to 3-5.

IBM Nighthawks Nest, North Modernistic: The Nighthawks end a five-game home stand with Lionel sitting out, while the visiting Monarchs bench Salmo for unspecified reasons. Mams provided 450 for Southern at the start, a good outing from their lead-off hitter. Peach answered with a fiery 717 for North Modernistic, using pace and longevity together to give the hosts a nice lead. Panda showed no fear with 560 for the Monarchs, covering the deficit with an excellent counterattack. Cheddar clubbed 724 in response for the Nighthawks, protecting their lead well at the halfway mark. Pounce slowed down Southern's pace with only 341 on his turn, continuing a rough week for the veteran. Gal stumbled with a measly 81 for North Modernistic, an unnecessary danger to their lead. Dominic hit 394 for the Monarchs to force a response to their final score of 1745. Luigi had a dangerous 193 for the Nighthawks, his slip putting them at 1715 in a surprise loss. Southern goes to 1-8, while North Modernistic is ashamed to fall to 5-3.

UPS Ground, Maplewood: The Lumberjacks play their only game this week at home, resting Bryant for the first time this season, while the Nighthawks punitively bench Luigi for losing the last game. Peach wrapped her bat around 587 for North Modernistic to establish another lead for her side. Whiskers took a patient and methodical attack to the tune of 622 for Maplewood, good for the initial lead. Cheddar answered with a crisply hit 559 for the Nighthawks, keeping their attack up. Diddley fought back with 702 for the Lumberjacks, keeping them in the lead through half of the game. Gal chipped 395 for North Modernistic, enough to cover the deficit temporarily. Summer had a mediocre 240 for Maplewood, enough to regain a small lead ahead of the final turn. Lionel posted 321 for the Nighthawks, giving them a total of 1862. Gabe did his part with 425 for the Lumberjacks, enough to give them a win at 1989. Maplewood is up to 5-1 on the year, while North Modernistic slides back to 5-4.

Mercedes-Benz Field, Harrison: The Specters begin a four-game home stand with Lexi cycling out of the lineup, while Gizmo will sit for the win-hungry Sharks. Graham flicked 534 for Eastside on the opening turn, finally producing a fearsome output. Sydney S. fired back with 671 for Harrison, energizing her attack from a successful backhand flick. Chelsea finally crumbled with a mere 80 for the Sharks, unable to cover the small deficit. Twinkie II didn't have a lot either, a poor 216 adding lightly to the Specters' lead. Taylor M. offered a challenge for Eastside with 559 points on her turn, covering the deficit facing the visitors. Blizzard did enough with 408 for Harrison to regain a smaller lead with a player each to go. Cubby had a soft 160 for the Sharks at the end, leaving them with a poor 1333 overall. Rudolph pummeled 648 at the end, valiantly marching the Specters to the win with 1943. Harrison continues to impress at 8-4, while Eastside is searching for a direction at 1-6.

That's all for Select Week 4. We will play no cricket Monday, but Tuesday will see Elite Week 4 played in a single day, followed by Premier spread out over the rest of the week.