Berasaluze VIII and Zubieta will dispute the final of the Torneo Ciudad de San Sebastian after defeating Bengoetxea VI and Barriola 22-17 at Atano III on Saturday. Apart from a brief moment of parity at 17-17, they stayed ahead of their opponents throughout to win in 73 minutes after 607 strikes of the ball. They will play Martinez de Irujo and Albisu in the final, to be held in San Sebastian on Friday. This final will pit last year’s winners Irujo and Zubieta against each other, each paired this time around with a partner from Asegarce.

Bilbao’s Torneo Aste Nagusia begins this Saturday at Bizkaia, and is much expanded from last year, lasting eight days rather than four. The final will be held on the 25^th. Six pairs will play for the crown, three from each empresa. Aspe will send Xala-Zubieta, Pairs Champions Titin III-Merino II and Martinez de Irujo-Barriola. Asegarce fields Olaizola II-Begino, Bengoetxea VI-Apraiz and Berasaluze VIII-Albisu. I am going to the Basque Country on Friday and hope to be at some of the games early next week. Photographs and reports will follow when I return!