Post by arf on Mar 22, 2009 16:35:44 GMT
Open Team qualify for ECF Stage!
A campaign which got off to a slow start ended emphatically with three wins in a row and sees Middlesex finish runner-up to Kent by virtue of board count! 2nd place was secured with a 8.5-6.5 win in our final SCCU game against Herts. Yes to the eagle-eyed of you, you will note that the match was played over 15 boards.
A late dropout on the day meant a Herts default couldn't be taken advantage of.
So how did this state of affairs come about? Unusually your author didn't check his mobile phone before going to bed. If he had he would have realised:
1) It was on silent!!
2) He'd missed a message from his Herts counterpart informing they would be fielding a team of XV.
Match day rolls around and the first time he checks his phone is when he sees it 'flashing' and Peter passes on a message saying that one of our players is going to be unable to make the match. Why? you may ask. A late night session meant he ended up in some godforsaken place in the South west of the country and would be unable to make it back in time. After the trials and tribulations of getting team together last minute subs were going to be a nigh impossibility. That's when the missed call was noticed and much cursing ensued.
Now some of you will say, default was notified well in advance of the match so take advantage, but knowing there was a team of XV it would be unfair. Would this be said if Middlesex had lost? Yes.
So instead of being a travelling sub your author played and least said about that the better as it meant Middlesex quickly fell 0-1 behind.
Colin Crouch's equally quick win levelled things before a series of results see Middlesex take the lead and Herts peg it back. 7 games down score 3.5-3.5. Adam's win sees the start of Middlesex picking up 3.5/4, double their score and with it virtually reach the point where they cannot be defeated 7-4. Draws by the Metropolitan duo, George and Ian see's Middlesex cross the winning line 8-5. 2nd place guaranteed irrespective of what Surrey do! Full match details:
www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/match1.htm
Now when it comes to highlights there are a number, Alistair's opponent finding a number of defensive manoeuvres to keep his attack at bay, Adam having the better of tactical exchanges; and Carsten and Martin continuing their great county form. Despite all of these and others the star man of the day must be Peter!
Not exactly sure what to say so I'll let his game do the talking:
tinyurl.com/Boyce-M-v-Ackley-P
Fantastic!
The only outstanding question of the cycle was who would secure the preliminary or quarter-final berth. With Surrey defeating Essex 9.5-6.5 the win was timely and the quarter-final spot secured. Well done team for the victory. Thanks also goes out to the both the Open and u175 squads for getting Middlesex there this time by right rather than the lottery of the revised ECF Stage draw.
With Kent completing the grand slam the final SCCU table is:
1. Kent 5/5 SCCU Champions - Shannon Trophy winners
2. Middlesex 3.5
3. Surrey 3.5
4. Sussex 2
5. Herts 1
6. Essex 0
Kent & Middlesex qualify for the quarter-final of the Open Championship
Surrey qualify for preliminary of the Open and
Sussex and Herts qualify for the Minor Championship.
What odds on SCCU picking up the top three trophies (Open/Minor and u175) with Middlesex holding two?
After finishing 3rd last year, this year shows we are moving in the right direction. What odds on the county winning the SCCU title in 2009-2010?
Finishing ahead of Surrey is beneficial as if ECF Stage draw is verified we are due to play them in the semi-final. With Surrey being notorious travellers they could be eliminated by Staffs in the prelminary or Lancashire in the quarter-final. 2 trips to the Midlands within 4weeks. If they are eliminated in one respect it's unfortunate as you always want to see a SCCU team lift a trophy, but great, as it means one of the powerhouses falls at an early fence.
Congratulations once again to the team for the much needed victory and the squad for getting through yet another tough SCCU cycle. Let's hope the k-o stage is more straightforward.
ECF Stage here we come!