Post by arf on Nov 6, 2011 10:09:00 GMT
Middlesex record maiden victory!
By a quirk of fate (alternatively a mischievous Controller!) the 1st 2 rounds of the 2011-12 cycle pitted Mx against the 2010-11 Open finalists Surrey and Kent. The match against Surrey was a close encounter with Mx losing by the odd point. After such heartbreak the team were determined not to finished second to the other ECF Finalist. However with the teams evenly matched (Team Ave.: Mx 192 - Kent 191) another close match was on the cards.
The match was a slow burner. After the 1st hour's play the games were still in the opening phases with all players skirmishing, striving to establish some kind of advantage that seemed not to be forthcoming; it proved no surprise then when the first result of the day was a draw.
Having won the Major section in High Wycombe and coming 4th= in Gatwick of the e2-e4 Congresses, Open team debutant Ananth continues his fantastic form. His win sees Middlesex draw first blood. The advantage though is short-lived as Andrew loses a spirited game. It is pleasing to see the Open Team field juniors once again Dominic being the last junior representative and this match saw Mx field 2 - Peter (Batchelor) being another debutant turning out for the team after his endeavours in the World U16 Olympiad in Ismir (Turkey). Let's hope we can encourage Ananth, Peter and a few other juniors to play regularly for the Open and u180 teams thereby mirroring the success of Counties such as Kent; Surrey and Sussex. Score 1.5-1.5
A flurry of draws follow then disaster, Phil loses the thread of his game to give Kent the lead the for the first and only time. Peter (Ackley) restores parity having played an assured game. Score 4-4
With the match at the halfway point it is a tense affair but Mx seem to be getting the better of the remaining matches; a few though are still unclear thus all results are still possible. A firm lead is established when 2 wins out the next 4 results see Mx give Kent a body blow which they never recover from despite their rearguard action. Harrow players are on fire as Ananth's and Peter's wins are followed up by wins from Colin (Crouch) and Nevil. The latter two's victories ensure an undefeated day for that estimable Club. Score 7-5.
Richard's draw bring Mx closer to the winning line but the remaining Kent players are pulling out all the stops to try and attain the wins that will bring the scores level. George dashes their hopes by securing the final win that takes Mx over the winning line with 2 games to go. Score 8.5-5.5.
The remaining games are both drawn to give a final score of 9.5-6.5 and with it a maiden victory for the 2011-12 campaign!
Well done guys!
Full details:
www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/match1.htm
In honour of Harrow Club here are their wins:
tinyurl.com/A-Balaji-A-Heard
tinyurl.com/P-Ackley-M-Ruston
tinyurl.com/C-Crouch-M-Taylor
tinyurl.com/N-Chan-J-Scholes
Table after Round 2:
With the Surrey v Sussex result outstanding unable to confirm positions.
So with 2 rounds gone and having played the habitual winners of the SCCU title in recent years Mx path to the knock stages ought to be a straightforward affair however our next match away to Sussex on 7th January 2012 is one of many banana skins along the way as Sussex are notoriously poor on the road but redoubtable at home. The others, Herts (Home) - Will 2011-12 see an amazing trend broken? Since our return to the Open competition SCCU matches against Herts have resulted in the away team winning!
Then there's Essex (Away) THE Saxon derby! Having capitulated to Sussex 4.5-11.5 they record a resounding win with a 11.5-4.5 home win over Herts. Essex like Sussex poor on the road but redoubtable at home.
It is clear that we will need to be at our fighting best if we are to continue the trend of always competing in the ECF Stage since our return.
Anyway let's play each game as they come and see what happens! ;D
Each year MCCA awards the Martin Blaine Individual Trophy to the best performing Open team player. After 2 rounds the leading players are:
Nevil 12points (2/2)
Bob 11points (1.5/2)
Colin C. 11points (1.5/2)
George 11points (1.5/2)
Jochen 10points (1/2)
Due to the London Classic and the festive break the Open competition is suspended during December. Next match 7th January 2012 Sussex(A)
Go on the Middlesex!
AddendumThe results of Round 2 are in and they show that the advantage was clearly with the home teams:
Essex 11.5 - 4.5 Herts
Surrey 13 - 3 Sussex
Two comprehensive victories for the home teams!
Table after Round 2:
1. Surrey 2/2 (21.5)
2. Mx 1/2 (17)
3. Essex 1/2 (16)
4. Sussex 1/2 (14.5)
5. Kent 0/1 (6.5)
6. Herts 0/1 (4.5)