XLeague Qualifying Series: Harry one win from the Final Series

Friday, 26/12/ 2025

Harry is one win away from his first ever XLeague Final Series berth after starting the first-to-3 Qualifying Series with two wins, thus taking a 2-1 lead against two-time runner-up Nici.

Nici selected green/red as allied colours and started into the series with a 1-0 head start due to her overall win-loss record (10-12) from the Round Robin Series superior to Harry’s (7-15).

Still, Harry fancied his chances for a turnaround due to his positive head-to-head record (7-4) against his froggy daughter.

In the first of two at-boards of the day, Harry took what seemed like a comfortable 5-2 lead. However, having saved 4-&-1, Nici had reason to believe in a comeback, holding on to the tactically favourable order.

Still, Harry’s YLO4 started its only PWL after 39 minutes of play and, only two minutes later, converted its fourth match point on a “3” to cancel out Nici’s head start.

In the second at-board, the die seemed to favour Nici at first who stormed ahead 6-2 having saved 4-&-2. Nici did get a 7-5 lead and got her RED4 up to two fields from home. However, home fields (a) and (b) were occupied by RED2 and RED3 and just wouldn’t get a “1” to open the house.

While Nici was desperately hoping for the die to yield favourable numbers, Harry saved BLK4, YLO3 and, after 36 minutes of play, YLO4 on a “5” to convert his second match point and take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Game 4 and 5 (including Nici’s bye win) are scheduled for Saturday. Nici needs to win both to return to the first-to-4 Final Series like she did two years ago when she came back from 2-1 down to win the Qualifying Series against her Dad by 3-2.

The first-to-4 Final Series is scheduled to start on Sunday. Two-time defending XLeague Winner Sissy will get a 1-0 head start against the winner of the Qualifying Series.