I have been away this week with no time for pelota, so for week 6 a very brief summary must suffice! I hope that normal service will resume next week.

XALA – LASKURAIN (17) v OLAIZOLA II – BEROIZ (22) should on paper have been a hotly anticipated encounter, but given the former pairing’s lowly status in the table, it was less meaningful than it might have been. For the unbeaten favourites, qualification was almost certain already, but for Xala and Laskurain it was a chance to boost their recovery. Although Olaizola and Beroiz remained ahead almost throughout, the match was close at times, and despite losing to the form partnership Xala and Laskurain should take some heart; they can still make the last four and from there anything is still possible.

ARRETXE II – BEGINO (14) v ARITZ LASA – ZUBIETA (22) saw the bottom two square off. Lasa and Zubieta began the tournament with a bang, beating Xala and Laskurain in week one, but since then they have been undone largely by the inconsistency of Lasa and his lack of potency against the cream of the forwards. This was a must win game both for their morale and for any chances they might harbour of a recovery and a semi final chance. They showed themselves stronger from the start, and although Arretxe and Begino came back at them to make it 10-10, their greater strength told. The nightmare continues for Arretxe and Begino.

MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – BARRIOLA (15) v BENGOETXEA VI – APRAIZ (22) provided the shock of the weekend. From unbeaten brilliance two weeks ago, Irujo and Barriola have now suffered two defeats on the bounce. Last week’s, against Olaizola and Beroiz, was no disgrace but this was less expected. Bengoetxea, who was stunning here, and Apraiz have failed to shine as we know they can for the majority of the competition, but this is a fabulous boost for them and propels them bang into the hunt for a place in the top four.

TITIN III – MERINO II (22) v BERASALUZE VIII – ALBISU (20) provided the closest encounter of the weekend, as the Riojans clawed their way to 22 past a beligerent Berasaluze. The point gives Titin and Merino fourth place for the moment but with Bengoetxea and Apraiz level on points in fifth, the last thing they can afford to do is to rest on their laurels. Berasaluze and Albisu, despite losing here, leapfrog Irujo and Barriola thanks to their points difference and sit in second.

In the Promocion Championship Jaunarena-Cecilio beat Mendizabal III-Ladis Galarza 22-15, Olazabal-Larrinaga beat Gorka-Arruti 22-7, Urrutikoetxea-Otxandorena* beat Lemuno-Aretxabaleta 22-9 and Rico IV-Mendizabal II* beat Tainta-Otxandorena 22-21.