Post by arf on Jun 14, 2009 11:55:14 GMT
Middlesex crash and burn!
To paraphrase the words of the inimitable Mr Wilde:
'To lose one semi-final maybe regarded as misfortune, to lose two looks like carelessness'
Yes, Middlesex lose both the Open and u175 matches 8.5-7.5 and with the double defeat their season comes to an end.
In matches where there were high hopes of at least one if not both teams making it through to the final an series of unfortunate events conspire to bring the season to what some would regard a premature end.
This report will be brief(!) as yours truly had a logistical nightmare of co-ordinating 32 players at two venues within 15minutes of each other. So it is testimony to you all that two competitive teams were fielded (despite the concerns of 1 or 2 squad members!!!) and that both lost by such close margins. [Editors note - the name of the individuals concerned will be omitted to save their blushes. I'm sure they feel bad enough as it is without adding anymore embarrassment!]
It will also serve as an end of cycle report.
Let's start with the Open:
With the score standing at 6.5-6.5 Mx look comfortable. 3 draws sufficient to win on board count, however 1 game stands better so Mx look on course for a 8.5-7.5 victory. However disaster strikes as one of the drawn games becomes a dead loss after a late blunder Mx fall 7.5-6.5 behind. However if we can secure at least one win, the win on board count is still an option. Discussion with the player concerned makes him realise he now needs to channel his efforts to secure a win. Despite all his attempts he is unable to find one so succumbs to a draw and with the final game dead drawn Mx lose 7.5-8.5.
The u175 was equally eventful:
Mx had two opportunities to win the match either by securing 2 draws or one win. The win option was removed when one of team gallantly offers a draw despite his opponent overstepping his time. From a team perspective this may seem an odd decision seeing as the Yorkshire player had sufficient time to make the 40th move but procrastinated, however the Middlesex player felt the play up to that point merited a draw. Needless to say the Yorkshire player took the draw and fate steps in to punish this display of hubris.
The last match in which a draw at the very least was required seemed to be odds on as the player concerned was an exchange up. Rather than exercising discretion as being the better part of valour he reasonably pressed for a win subsequently blunders; position goes from a clear win to a clear loss. Mx lose 7.5-8.5
So with both teams losing on the same day by the same score the hopes of ending the season with silverware also came to an end. Before ending the report just for the record the Open and u175 will be a recreation of the War of the Roses as both finals are a Lancashire v Yorkshire affair. In the Open Kent inexplicably fielded a weak team and added insult to injury by only naming 14 players. How you expect to win a match let alone an Open match with 14 players beggars belief. In the u175 it was a more straightforward affair with Lancashire cruising to victory over Essex. So with Mx, Kent and Essex all falling at the same hurdle, it is the first time for a number of years an SCCU team has failed to contest the final in either of these sections.
Anyway as ever the season must end. Most would want it to be in the final rather the semis. Although losing in the semis is disappointing the mere fact that both qualified is a fantastic feat and bodes well for the 2009-2010 cycle. As always as captain my thanks to you all as without you there is no team. I am more than happy to carry on as captain (well that's if you'll have me!) and with your continued support I have high hopes for the 2009-2010 cycle.
I will contact you in due course regarding fixtures however provisional dates of Open Team fixtures are available - www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/sccu.htm. Unless approached by opposing Counties I have no intention of changing these dates.
I would ask the u175 squad to consider that the SCCU AGM on 11th July 2009 will be discussing the following:
'Single or double round. The Executive agreed nem con to propose, at the AGM 11.7.09, that Rule 7 be amended so that matches will be single-round if the number of teams is more than 5, double-round if it is less than 5, and single or double by majority agreement of match captains if it is 5. The Rules & Appeals Sub-Committee will draw up a formal wording'
To date I have had the luxury of exercising veto and have insisted double-round format. The feelings of the other Counties though have led to the above proposal. The obvious comment to make is if they get their way coupled with the change in grade banding (Open; u180 and u160 at the top end) there will be limited opportunity to get matches - something which is odd as I believe all chess organisations should be in the business of promoting chess thus increase opportunities to play rather than limit. If as I believe there is a desire to play more rather than less county matches we will have to identify other opportunities.
Anyway I ramble.
Congratulations to you all for getting the respective teams to the semis to round off both teams seasons.
Enjoy your summer and look forward to seeing you for the 2009-2010 cycle.