Now, who could bring themselves to fire on Ruth Evinger's fleet? Apparently, it wasn't a problem for our usual suspects.	GM Bill Alderman keeps close rein on Rob Kilroy who has yet to win the event but is the 7th ranked laurelist anyway.

Old Salts Triumphant ...

The event attracted many of the usual suspects, including Evingers aplenty, and some new folks as well. The games played quickly, none close to pushing the 3-hour time limit. Seven past champions were present with few winning their heats, although several tried all three times. Still, the mix of qualifiers included only familiar faces.

The Heats produced 11 tables. All winners, and only winners, advanced to the Final, which by tradition, starts at Noon on Sunday. Matt Evinger won his first heat and played in all three, winning another, to narrow the qualifiers to ten. Last year we had 12 finalists, but this year only six opted for another round, every one of whom had been in at least one prior Final. It would be a far different experience. There were to be no 'excused on account of low score' issues. Last year we had a change of venue due to needing a larger table. This year we did so due to unbearable heat & humidity, adjourning to Wheatland, which was much more comfortable, though we did have to contend with a raucous Circus Maximus Final taking shelter in the same room.

The first Hand went quickly as the six players engaged in a feeding frenzy on whoever was hurtin'. Rob Kilroy and Matt Evinger were shut out. Dale Long made the strategic error of leading too soon with 66 points. The second Hand ended with Rob still sporting a goose egg, Matt Evinger with 32, 2006 champ Evan Hitchings 70, and his dad with 97. The Third Hand was to be determinative. It seemed that Tim Hitchings led a charmed life. He always had the cards he needed to get out of trouble, or to successfully board and take prizes, and the good die rolls to make them work. Multiple attempts were made to Blockade, Break the Line, Board, damage or sink Tim's ships, some with very high odds of success, but to no avail! Meanwhile, Dale Long sat there with no way of capturing anything and just barely hanging on with a single ship. Matt seemed to always draw the wrong card, though he had plenty of ships. Bill Powers took advantage of these failings to finally score points, but from a long way back. Evan found himself boxed in, and like Dale, subject to much attention. He finally threw in the towel, and just went hunting for fun. Rob meanwhile, with no natural enemies, emerged as a steady menace, sinking ships with great frequency. The day ended with Tim leading with 139, and Rob second with 104 - all scored during the last hand. Dale Long hung on to third place with 85, beating out Bill Powers, yet again, who had 84. Matt Evinger finished with 48, a new low for the two-time champion.

You need period visual aides to see across those wide tables.	GM Bill Alderman oversees his motley crew of finalists.