Match 291: Ickabel(HAS) versus Sergei Spezops(HAS)
Two tough competitors face each other for a place in the finals. Both are team Hasboro such is the dominant position that Hasboro enjoys.
Both players are putting up a steady stream of attacks but it's Spezops who is first on the scoreboard. Ickabel's attack is countered with Tani Otoshi
Spezops scores a Yuko, but Ickabel is too level headed to be phased by that. Indeed we don't have to wait very long before Ickabel has pulled one back.
We get to the 3rd minute and Spezops tries to break the stalemate by driving for a left hand technique. Ickabel replies quickly and devastatingly with an Okeri Ashi Barai footsweep.
Spezops is airborne, sailing through the air has plenty of time to think were he went wrong, before he's Earthbound with a thump.
Great cheers and arm waving from the Star Wars club " dar dar dar dah deh dah dah deh dah...." they sing.
Ickabel scores Ippon and is the first player into the finals.
Match 292: Lila NuEarth(SID) versus Cecilia
Prosper(BBI)
Prosper comes out and takes an unorthodox left handed grip. Immediately she is pulling NuEarth around the mat. Attack and move, attack and move, the constant action and dynamism is disorientating for NuEarth. She's struggling to keep up and get a grip.
She drops her guard which is all Prosper was waiting for. Instantaneously Prosper does a left attack to right throw switch.
NuEarth may recognise the trap that's being sprung, but it's too late as Prosper draws her on.
Prosper drives forward and NuEarth is sent crashing into the mat.
Prosper brings the house down a stunning 40 second display of Judo perfection.
Match 294: Di Namnerse(HAS) versus Leia Alderaan(HAS)
They may all be Hasboro team mates but the club rivalries are starting to show and these two have a long history.
The crowd excited by the play off get behind their players. One minute the Dojo echos to "dar dar dar dah deh dah...." the next it's "GiJoe GiJoe, fighting man from head to toe...."
Namnerse is quick to the scoreboard with a Koka, minor knock down. But they're both at it hammer and tongs, twisting this way and that. A minute goes by and it's Alderaan in with the Yoko Guruma.
Namnerse skids across the mat as a score of Wazari is made. The Star Wars club is ecstatic with jubilation.
Namnerse wouldn't be defeated though and came back time and again, notching up Yuko's, but she was never able to match the Wazari and much to the relief of the Star Wars club Alderaan is through.
Match 295: Sky Spacer(HAS) versus Barone Nudeman(VAM)
This is the match that everyone has been waiting for. It's many a year that club ModAM has wanted to inflict a decisive defeat on team Palitoy and that moment has now arrive. Nudeman the last remaining player for Palitoy, if Spacer can defeat Nudeman not only wil he go to the finals but he'll go down in history as the one that put Palitoy out of the game. If there's ever a player to do it, it's Sky Spacer.
Tentively they size each other up and settle into the fight, but it's Spacer making the running. He's keen to make history and ...... Oh my god!, eyes bulging and baited breathe, has he done it? His Ko Uchi Gari has caught Nudeman flat footed. The Hasboro raise the roof with a deafening "YeeeeeSSS!!!", as they collectively will Nudeman onto his back.
But no, Nudeman is too quick and spins out. A decernable sigh and phew of relief ripples around the Dojo as the Referee calls Yuko and Nudeman scrambles to safety.
Spacer feels he has the measure of Nudeman now and is perhaps a little too confident that his chance to finish Nudeman will come. Nudeman is a wiley player he lets Spacer play the waiting game. He gets his grip he makes minor attacks, ones that have no impact on Spacer, but all the impact on the Referee. 20 Seconds later and Spacer has his passivity penalty, but he's unperturbed. He hasn't realised Nudeman's game.
The team and the coaches are screaming at Spacer "Attack Attack Attack", but to no avail and Spacer gets his second penalty, wiping out his own score. Now Spacer is spurred back into life, but he's floundering like a drowning rat as Nudeman keeps up the pressure. Nudeman forces him of the mat - another penalty. Now Nudeman is a Wazari up and has made not one serious attack.
Spacer can't afford another penalty and starts putting the fight to Nudeman. Nudeman is on the defensive and now he picks up a penalty.
They engage again, but Nudeman has managed to trap Spacer in the corner. Spacer doesn't which way to go, but he must turn Nudeman to survive. Nudeman attacks and Spacer steps off gaining his 4th and final penalty.
What a catastrophe for Spacer, he can't believe it as the Referee declares Han Soko Make and disqualifies Spacer. Nudeman is through without scoring anything.
Match 302: Linh Teu(DRG) versus Blaze Seewhy(BBI)
There's no standing around as these two lock horns. A ferocious engagement is on display, each one determined that the other shall not pass.
Seewhy is on the scoreboard with a Koka, now it's Teu with Yuko. Seewhy gets a Yuko and Teu gets a Koka. How long long can they keep up this breath taking pace.
...and it's Seewhy in for O Uchi Mata, but Teu sidesteps and takes the leg for one of her speciality moves and Seewhy is in trouble.
Like a well oiled machine, Teu seamlessly rolls Seewhy into Yoko Sankaku Jime.
It only takes a few seconds and Teu is through. What a storming contest!!
As the tournament enters the final stages, the Hasboro Men are assured of 3 medals, with 6 out of the remaining 8 competitors it is a testament to the strength of Hasboro. What's more in an unfortunate fluke, the other 2 finalists will face each other in the Quarter Final.
A similar tale can be said of the Women's event with Team Dragon having 4 of the last 8 competitors. The line up assures them of at least Silver and Bronze.
Didier Carnot(DID) was another competitor who played for penalties to get through. In an Epic clash with Dwight Lingunner(Has), Lingunner scored highest with a Wazari, but ultimately lost on penalties.
The organisers all gave a huge sigh of relief, when it was realised that nobody with Skeleton heads, robotic limbs, horns, wings or tails would be in the finals.
I could do that 
