Steve and Mike win Tokyo Midtown Cup

HSPC fielded three teams in the Tokyo Midtown Cup on Sunday, Feb. 17, and the pairing of Mike and Steve overcame an early setback to win the event, breaking the club's drought at the Akasaka monthly tournaments.

Despite some confusion with the draw, all three HSPC teams -- Sherpas (Bob and Raj), Snow Leopards (Mike and Steve) and the Yaks (Charlie and Greg) -- qualified for the finals with 2-1 records in the morning's play.

The Yaks' satisfaction at advancing was short-lived though after Charlie went walkabout, last seen mountain trekking in Tibet, during the brief lunch break and Greg had to face Aoyama alone in a three balls vs. six situation, giving up eight points in two rounds in a hopeless scenario. Charlie eventually returned to base camp and a brief rally was launched. At 9-3 there was a sliver of hope of pulling off the impossible but the weight was too heavy for even a Yak to haul and Charlie and Greg bowed out of the tournament 11-3 to Tom and Yokoyama san.

Bob and Raj were leading 9-6 and looked set to move on but a late rally by their opponents dumped them out of the tournament as well.

That left Mike and Steve and with some solid teamwork and plenty of encouragement on the sidelines from their club mates, the Snow Leopards showed their claws and triumphed in a tense final.

Needing little excuse to celebrate anything, the HSPC boys weren't going to waste this golden moment and sunk endless amounts of golden ale to toast the victory.

Congratulations Mike and Steve!

Let it snow ...

Some memorable weather and games on the weekend, with Kato san from MPC teaming up with our Bob on Saturday to defeat Steve and Greg. Kato san's knowledge of the ground was on full display with some astute pointing in the confusing sandy/muddy terrain. Whenever Steve and Greg looked liked changing the momentum, Bob was on hand to blast away with a double-barrell attack that would have made Wyatt Earp proud! It was a vintage display of shooting from Bob and we hope he can carry that form into the Feb. 17 tournament at Akasaka.

Steady snowfall on Sunday did not deter the boys and a six-pack of players turned up to take shelter beneath the 'clubhouse.' Several games were played on the back "tracks" with Bob and Steve taking on Albert and Greg.

Bob continued his fine form from Saturday and with Steve as reliable as ever they took the first game. Albert and Greg found their range and combined well to capture the second match and chipped away for a hard-fought decider in the dark.

The HSPC boys would like to thank ailing Albert for making the effort to come down in the snow and are sure his health will soon be on the road to a 13-0 recovery!