Hexball Round 12: League Leader Tokei Hex to Face Hokuto
The Hexball league office announced Round 12 fixtures on the 5th. League leader Tokei Hex (9-2) will face Hokuto, previously reported to have earned its first tracked win on October 31st. Second-place Fukagawa Pelicans (7-1-1) will meet Naniwa Six; Owari again has no match this round.
The Hexball league office announced Round 12 fixtures on the 5th. League leader Tokei Hex will face Hokuto, previously reported to have earned its first tracked win on October 31st.
■ A First Win's Momentum, Against the Leader
As previously reported, Hokuto earned its first tracked win against Tokei Hex on October 31st, but lost to Fukagawa Pelicans in the following Round 11 (previously reported), so the win did not become a streak. Even so, captain Gaku Kashiwabara, 27, previously reported, said, "Winning once made me believe we can win again." Round 12 brings a rematch against the very team Hokuto beat for that first win. The league office said, "This is the first time this season the schedule has produced something close to a same-opponent rematch within so few rounds."
Tokei Hex's captain said, with evident caution, "There's no reason for Hokuto to take a team they've already beaten lightly. This won't be the same match as last time." Fukagawa Pelicans, led by captain Shu Enami, 26, previously reported, will face Naniwa Six (1-4-1), but Enami said, "There's no match we treat lightly just because the opponent is ranked lower."
■ Owari Still Without a Match
Owari (3-4) has no fixture for the third round running, after Rounds 10 and 11. The league office said this "simply reflects how the schedule worked out, with nothing unusual behind it," though fans have taken to calling it "Owari, still waiting its turn." A fixture is expected to be announced for a coming round.
■ Around the Other Sports
In Shido Swordplay, Chitose Kanome, 41, previously reported, and others continue training ahead of Round 4 of the autumn Five-Match Series on November 8th. In Tosatsu, private training continues ahead of the November 9th rematch between Gonzo Sawatari and Daichi Okonogi. In Shinobi Trial, preparations continue for the "Long Night Cup" on the 21st (previously reported), with two-time defending champion Iori Kiryu, 29, previously reported, aiming for a third straight title among domestic competitors.
Round 12 is expected to be played at various venues from early to mid-November.
