Post by arf on Mar 8, 2009 9:44:32 GMT
u175 qualify for ECF Stage!
The pre-match hype had billed this as a must win for Surrey as they had to contrive a 8.5-7.5 result in order for them to go on to defend the title. So just like our last match against Sussex it didn't need any additional drama! Guess what? That's exactly what it got! It turns out that the Exmouth Arms had been double booked and the 'great and the good' of the ECF got preferential treatment. Yes, another venue had to be found in double quick time. Thanks must go out to David Sedgwick - one of our opponents (!) - for recognising the error, to George for the suggestion of the Middlesex Street Community Centre and to the Metropolitan Chess Club for allowing us the use of their equipment. For those of you who may be wondering, yes I did see an omen, Middlesex County playing a match at Middlesex Community Centre! Got to be a good thing!
With the pre-match drama out of the way, the match could be focused on. It seems as though Lady Luck was not on Surrey's side as usual as unfortunately for them, Middlesex showed their class, romped to a 10.5-5.5 victory thus justifying the tag of favourites. In defeating Surrey 3rd place in the SCCU cycle was secured.
The match was always going to be a slow burner and this proved to be the case when the first 7games were announced drawn. This was a bit of a curiosity as with each passing draw Middlesex edge closer to the magic 8-8 and the more mental pressure is applied to Surrey. Were Surrey under instruction to secure just 1 win? If so it was a high risk strategy that was blown out of the water when Middlesex lit the touchpaper to score four successive wins, establish a 7.5-3.5 lead and with it virtually guarantee qualification. Mike obtained the requisite draw to take the Middlesex score to 8 and Jim's draw ensured Middlesex's victory - it was just a question of, 'By how many?'. For the record the final games saw Middlesex attain +1 =2. This is to be celebrated as we kept our first clean sheet of the cycle.
www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/match2.htm
Now when it comes to highlights there are a number, George breaks the sequence of draws by securing the first win to get the Middlesex bandwagon rolling, Andy digging deep to obtain an unlikely win, David unlucky not to be able to get more out of his queen for three pieces exchange. Despite all of these and others the star man of the day must be Jonnie!
Let's consider that after move 12 you forget that your Knight has no squares to go to so it gets snapped up. What do you get in compensation? A speculative attack that pays off! See link below for the game.
tinyurl.com/Fenwick-Kay
Jon what a great game! Makes up for the disppointment of the away match.
I would say that this game typifies the approaches from the respective sides, Jon knowing that the pressure is on Surrey to win throws the kitchen sink at his opponent and asks him to prove that he can win. Conversely his opponent is cautious believing that the 'extra' piece will be enough! Ok maybe I read too much into one game but Surrey's desire to want to qualify just didn't seem to be at the same intensity as the Middlesex team and when considering the, 'Good Luck', messages from those unable to play, the Middlesex squad!
With Essex routing Sussex - 11-5 - the final SCCU table is:
1. Essex 6.5/8 SCCU Champions - Montague Jones Trophy winners
2. Sussex 4.5
3. Middlesex 3.5
4. Kent 3
5. Surrey 2.5
1st 3 qualify for the quarter-final of the ECF Stage
So an erratic campaign finally sees the team qualify for the ECF Stage for the 2nd time in 3 years. Yes qualifying in 3rd is a bit disappointing as there were high hopes of winning the SCCU title this year. Notwithstanding our final position as they say, 'You have to be in it to win it!', and we are clearly still in it, so we start with a clean slate in the k-o stage.
Congratulations to the team for yesterday's much needed victory and the squad for getting through a tough SCCU cycle. Let's hope the k-o stage is more straightforward.
ECF Stage here we come!