Hexball Round 8: Tokei Hex Stretches Win Streak to Seven, Fukagawa Pelicans Also Win to Hold Second
Round 8 of the Hexball League took place at courts around the city on the 24th. Tokei Hex, previously reported with a six-game win streak through Round 7, defeated Naniwa Six 6-3 (1 corner), stretching its unbeaten run from the season opener to seven games and extending its lead atop the league. Fukagawa Pelicans also won, beating Hokuto 5-2 (2 corners) to improve to five wins, one loss, and one draw, cementing second place. Owari had no match this round.
Round 8 of the Hexball League was played at courts around the city on the 24th. Tokei Hex, previously reported with a six-game win streak through Round 7, defeated Naniwa Six 6-3 (1 corner), extending its unbeaten run from the season opener to seven games. Naniwa Six, which had no match in Round 7 and stood at one win, two losses, and a draw, fell to one win, three losses, and a draw with today's defeat. Naniwa fought hard early, taking three edges first, but Hex clawed back edge after edge in the second half, sealing the match with a corner call late on. Hex's captain said briefly, "Their persistence gave us a scare once, but clawing back edges in the second half was exactly what we'd practiced."
Fukagawa Pelicans beat Hokuto 5-2 (2 corners). Previously reported at four wins, one loss, and a draw through Round 7, Fukagawa improved to five wins, one loss, and a draw, pulling further ahead of Owari (three wins, three losses, no match this round) in the race for second place. Hokuto, coming off its previously reported Round 7 loss to Tokei Hex, took another defeat today. A Fukagawa player said, "We got both corners late. Their defense was tight — not an easy match."
As previously reported, the ongoing debate over introducing technology to help judge "edge" calls in Hexball flared up again during today's matches, with several close calls drawing reaction from the stands. A league official said, "The debate over introducing technology is moving forward, but matches like today's also show there's a persistent view that human judgment has its own merits."
Tokei Hex's next match, Round 9, is expected to be against Owari, which had no match today; the official schedule is due next week. As previously reported, Owari stood at an even three wins and three losses through Round 7, and is seen as no easy opponent for the streaking Hex.
Elsewhere in sports: Shido Swordplay's 'Autumn Five-Match Series' has, as previously reported on the 23rd, its Round 4 set for November 8 at the Owari Martial Arts Hall. In Tosatsu, informal practice continues between Gonzo Sawatari, 77, and Daichi Okonogi, 23, ahead of November's monthly tournament. The student Tail-Tag autumn league, having completed its previously reported (22nd) Round 5, expects Round 6 in early November.
