Post by arf on May 10, 2009 13:09:21 GMT
Middlesex defeat Leicestershire
In what could be a unique Middlesex Open-u175 double, the u175 team keep up their end of the bargain and throw a gauntlet to the Open team by defeating Leicestershire 10.5-5.5.
It was hoped that this would have been the first result of the quarters, but unfortunately a non-result beat Middlesex to the punch. Namely, on 5th May 2009 it was announced that Cambridgeshire withdrew. So the winners of the Leicestershire-Middlesex match knew Yorkshire would be their opponents in the S-F.
It is extremely disappointing that for an eight successive year the matches in ths section of County Championship will not be completed. When you allow for Byes? (Why have a bye when you need minimum of eight teams for a quarterfinal?) and withdrawals (predominantly EACU) the last time all games were played was the 1999-2000 cycle. So before giving match details let's reflect on the topic of withdrawlas. There are two trains of thought:
Firstly, 'Surprise, surprise! The EACU entry withdraw. The last time a county from the EACU 'competed' in this section was in 2006 when Bedfordshire 'honoured' the nomination. Since then Norfolk (twice) and now Cambs have withdrawn.
The second it is a 'national' championship therefore if there are withdrawals so be it. It is down to the Union concerned to identify a suitable nominee. This is double-edged as Counties self-refer so the suggestion is Cambs could fulfil playing the maximum of three games if they qualified for the final.
Now it is understandable that if you want to have a 'national' competition all regions should be representated however if the nomination cannot be honoured shouldn't there be a penalty for the Union concerned? Either run the championship as a 'true' competition and only give slots to those counties/Unions who are 'confident' of filling slots, yes this will mean competition will be laden with entrants from MCCU, NCCU and SCCU but maybe its also rich reward for consistent participation. Remember each withdrawal skews the championship. I certainly wouldn't want to see a repeat of 2005 when Devon won the title having only played one match and that was the defeat of Lancs in the final. Yes they won it but are they worthy champions? I say no! With Yorks now only having to play potentially a maximum of 3games and before our defeat of them, Leics 4games, to our 11 to be crowned champions it is understandable why its frustrating to see counties get a freebie. Anyway I digress!
With very few mishaps the team were all present and correct twenty minutes after the match start. On paper the contest was really between u175 and u150 teams and where complancency could quite easily have crept in the team were focussed on the task at hand and their strength eventually told so a comprehensive victory was recorded.
Middlesex got off to a great start when Andy who played a pet line of his got a crushing position and forced his opponent to resign within 25moves. Three successive draws saw Middlesex retain the tender lead until Leicestershire where able to strike back and level the match 2.5-2.5 after 5. This though was the only time scores were level as two successive victories see Middlesex re-establish the lead and although Leicestershire recorded another victory to trail by one at the half-way stage a run of 5 wins and 2 draws sees Middlesex hit the winning line with ease. The honour of securing the Middlesex win goes to Nevil. We won't say how he managed to concentrate on his game whilst being in time-trouble and close to bursting! Middlesex lead 8.5-4.5 with three to play.
Well done guys!
There were a number of interesting games and those of interest are:
Hayler-Farrall tinyurl.com/q2btm6
tinyurl.com/Mitchell-Tasker
tinyurl.com/Harrison-Phillips
tinyurl.com/RolandGraf-NevilChan
Remember the ECF are awarding a best game prize of £250 so if you think it's worth considering let me know and I'll submit it.
So we know the top half of the draw is Middlesex v Yorkshire. Regarding the bottom half, at time of writing Lancashire had knocked Sussex out on board count however there appears to be a dispute about the legitimacy of one of the Lancashire players. Clearly this player has won or drawn and if deemed ineligible if will mean the result is over turned. Time will tell.
www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/matchbcf.htm
The revised draw now is:
Quarter-Final: Leics v Mx; Cambs v Yorks; Lancs v Sussex; Notts v Essex
Semi-Final: Mx v Yorks; Lancs v ? (Subject to dispute)
The proposed date for the semi-final is the 13th June 2009 however with Yorkshire having a team in Open;u175;u150 and u125 sections and with a number of their players repesenting Open; u175 and u150 teams this date may be subject to change. Either way the venue is likely to be in the Midlands unless a number of factors combine and/or Yorkshire decide they what a trip to see 'Lundun town'!
On a final note although yesterday's match was quite comprehensive, if it were a tighter affair, a unsavoury incident at the end of the match suggests that I should remind you of the need to apprise yourself of the quick-play finish rules (Article 10 Laws of Chess), especially:
1) In last five minutes there is no need to annotate your moves and
2) In the last two minutes if you believe the position is drawn or the opponent cannot win by normal methods the clocks should be stopped in order for the players and the captains (in the absence of an arbiter) to determine whether the claim is to be upheld.
Remember unless you ask no-one can intervene on your behalf.
Anyway sorry to end on a bit of a sour note.
Bring on Yorkshire and let the SCCU domination of the Ron Banham Trophy continue!