Strand and Messer were the players to stand up for the final turn in the final round. Strand's hit brought the yellow stone closer to the red one, both stones were aligned side by side with the same distance from the Jack Stone without actually touching the goal.

Botros, who had been silent and taking a seat on one of the benches (did anyone feel a little rusty and shivery? No? Just him? Mmkay), stood up with a meaningful look at Mr. Kitridge. "It's a tie at the end of this match. Be prepared for one more final, tie-breaking shoot." He leaned on his cane a little and walked up closer to the game board.

Strand's shot was a little more coordinated than opponent, Angel Valentine. The yellow stone nudged the red stone out of the way and straight ahead until it ran into the goal. The audience stood up, some grunting others clapping. Botros was just glad he could go back and take care of his shivering knees, that was why he was clapping harder than everybody else. "Match comes to an end with Hufflepuff in the lead with twenty seven points. Gryffindor is very, very close behind with twenty four points. Both houses played brilliantly and deserve a standing ovation. Mister Strand is the player of the match today, give him a round of applause as well, please." Up up up, stand up!

"Next match will be Gryffindor against Ravenclaw for third and fourth place. We'll see you in the end of the season with the championship match between Slytherin and Hufflepuff, for the Gobstones Cup, both houses with twenty seven points!" CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP.

... now out, everybody out!