Hexball 'Bayside Derby' Rematch: Tokei Hex Edge Through to 5-0

Round 5 of the hexball league took place at Bayside Arena on the night of the 1st. For Fukagawa Pelicans, who had lost 5–3 to Tokei Hex in the previously reported season opener on the 8th, this round marked the first "Bayside Derby" rematch. Fukagawa came out aggressively in the first half, taking an early lead with a side eight minutes in. "That 5–3 from the opener was a number that stuck with us," Fukagawa's captain said afterward. "Today we wanted to make people forget it."

Fukagawa led 3–2 at the half, but early in the second half Tokei Hex ace Ritsu Kishiura answered with a side of his own to level the score. Kishiura, who as previously reported had posted multiple sides in four straight matches since Round 2, added two more down the stretch, reaching a milestone fifth consecutive match with multiple sides. The decisive side, tied to a corner (2 corners), came in the match's closing moments. "Fukagawa's defense was clearly tighter than it was in the opener," Kishiura said. "That's exactly why today's two sides mean something."

Fukagawa fought to the end, adding one more side in the final minutes, but fell short at 7–5. "We closed the gap from the opener, no question. A loss is a loss, but there's something to build on," the Fukagawa manager said. Fukagawa had only just claimed its first win of the season in Round 4, previously reported, and today's match underscored how volatile the season's early going has been.

The same night, at Owari's home court, Owari — which had suffered its first loss of the season to Tokei Hex in the previously reported Round 4 — beat Hokuto 6–2 (1 corner). Owari's previously reported Kan'yo-born recruit scored two more sides, and the manager commented, "We've shown we're not a team that falls apart the round after a loss." Hokuto lost again, extending its winless start to five matches.

Tokei Hex remains the sole leader at 5-0. Naniwa Six had no match this round and carries over to the next. League officials said the Round 6 pairings would be announced later this week. How long Tokei Hex's winning streak continues, as previously reported, remains the season's biggest early storyline.