Post by arf on Jan 22, 2012 12:06:56 GMT
Middlesex on brink of SCCU 2nd Team Title!
Mx continued their winning streak with a 9-7 win over the ‘auld’ enemy, Essex and with it have one hand on the Montague-Jones Trophy. Extra spice was added to the match as knowing victory would give them their first SCCU title since 1992-93 and virtually eliminate Essex from ECF Stage, there was resolve for 2011-12 not to follow the 2010-11 script. Mx similarly scored wins over Surrey and Sussex in their first two matches before playing Essex in third; last time out Essex won a tight match. As the score suggests the team did good!
The final scoreline flatters to deceive as Essex put up sterling rearguard action to try and level the scores, but fine play from Chris meant that the win Essex sought eluded them and Mx got over the winning line. Ananth’s draw, with him and his opponent in mutual time-trouble, capped off a fine display from the team.
As usual with these teams there is hairsbreadth difference (Mx Ave. 170; Essex Ave 166) with the edge going towards Mx especially in the tail. So with this in mind it was no surprise that the match got off to slow-start with 3 relatively quick draws. Score 1.5-1.5.
The first positive result was achieved by Thomas who launched a devastating attack which his opponent had no choice but capitulate to. Mx lead 2.5-1.5.
The lead is short-lived as John having made an uncharacteristic error (touching another piece in the process of making his move) meant he surrendered a piece and was eventually ground down. Score 2.5-2.5
After this setback the fireworks started as Mx score 4 wins in a run of 7 undefeated games to give them an unassailable 8-4 lead. Debutant Jules Morrison got the ball rolling with a solid draw. Consecutive wins from Ian, debutant Bob and Michael give Middlesex a 6-3 lead. All three gained material early on and carefully nursed their advantage, all eschewing the option of flashy play since as they say, ‘All roads lead to Rome!’ There was no need to take unnecessary risks a worthy course to follow when playing Essex. Draws from Steve and Martin maintain Mx’s 3-point lead and take them to the verge of being unable to lose which Ti’s victory ensures is the case. Score 8-4
Welcome to the Mx family Bob and Jules, great play from you both!
The match cannot now be lost but the question though was who was going to carry Mx over the winning line? Looking at the remaining games Russell was putting up stiff resistance but a positional error allowed his opponent to play an aesthetically pleasing Knight fork, Queen and 2 Rooks! Ouch! Charlie having strangled his opponent for much of the game in pushing for a win gave him the opportunity to generate counter-play which eventually led to a mating attack. Ouch again!! Mx lead halved 8-6.
So it was left to Ananth or Chris to secure the draw that would ensure Mx’s undefeated season would continue. With Ananth having the worst of it the match win hinged on Chris. His game looked comfortably drawn so the pressure was squarely on his young opponent’s shoulders to try and complicate matters to gain the win that could give Essex some hope of tying the match. However Chris's cool head saw him safely garner the 1/2pt that took Mx over the winning line! 8.5-6.5
A great display, well done guys!
Full details: www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/match2.htm
Table after Round 3
At time of writing Surrey v Sussex result is unknown.
What is the significance of the Essex win?
Mx are on the verge of winning the Montague-Jones Trophy so a Surrey win would be the icing on the cake. Surrey finishing above Sussex is vital as Mx's win over Surrey and Surrey's win over Kent could become critical factors in deciding the 2nd Team Champions. The reason why it is not definite yet is because with 2 rounds left to play there is still time for Kent or Sussex and/or Surrey to tie with Mx presuming they win their remaining games. Mx's win against Essex means the pressure has been firmly applied to these wannabe champions.
If a tie does come to fruition, the following tie-break rules are applied:
Order of tie break
a. Match points between tied teams (possible as 2 or 3 teams can tie on 3points - Mx+Kent; Mx+Surrey; Mx+Sussex; Mx+Kent+Surrey)
b. Game points between tied teams (Only possible if Mx+Kent+Surrey tie on Match Points)
c. Overall Game Points in competition (Only possible if Mx+Kent tie on Match and Game Points)
d. Board Count between tied teams (Only possible if Kent were to win their last two matches 9.5-6.5)
You will note that Game Points now have a greater weighting than previously. Board Count used to take precedence but has rightly been relegated.
Although the winner of Surrey v Sussex could tie with Mx a number of factors mean they are unlikely / not possible to be crowned champions. Firstly, both are going to have to defeat Essex a feat not easily achieved since Surrey are poor travellers and Essex will be in desperate need of 2 wins to try and secure the ECF Stage 3rd placed berth. These two teams are clearly in the way and ironically Mx will be cheering on the 'auld' enemy! Second, Sussex also poor travellers have to face Kent in Dartford and their match will eliminate one or other from being potential champions. Third, Mx's superior record over both teams means that Mx are ahead of both if Match Points between teams are invoked. Mx 2nd Team Champions!
The real spoilers are Kent. In order for them to deny Mx and become champions themselves, since they have an inferior record to Surrey they will want Sussex to defeat Surrey (unlikely as Sussex have to travel) and have to win their remaining matches against Mx and Sussex. Results between tied teams (Kent and Mx) would favour Kent. Kent 2nd Team Champions!
A Surrey win against Sussex brings in the factor of Game Points in deciding a tie-break. They will come into play if Kent, Surrey and Mx tie as all would have 1 Match Point each. Surrey have 15 Game Points between the 3 teams. So the match between Mx-Kent is one of intrigue. Especially since Kent's defeat to Surrey actually benefits Mx as if Kent harbour hopes of the title they have to not only play for a win in their remaining matches but seek to achieve a specific score!
If Kent win 8.5-7.5 Mx would still have the superior Game Points (Mx 17; Kent 16; Surrey 15). Mx 2nd Team Champions!
If Mx were to lose to Kent by 9-7 both would be tied on Game Points (16.5 Game Points each) Overall Game Points then come into play. In this situation they would be required to achieve +9.5 game points difference in match against Sussex as Mx would be on 34.5 as opposed to Kent's 25. This would thus require Kent to defeat Sussex 9.5-6.5 or greater! To avoid Overall Game Points coming into play Kent have to seek a 9.5-6.5 victory at minimum against Mx. We wait with bated breath for the Cycle's finale!
In short then the title is between Kent and Mx and all in all Mx are sitting pretty. Mx are 2nd Team Champions in all bar 3 scenarios:
a. Sussex defeating Surrey and Kent winning remaining 2 matches. Or
b. Kent defeating Mx by 9.5-6.5 or greater and beating Sussex. Or
c. Kent defeating Mx 9-7 and defeating Sussex 9.5-6.5 or greater
[N.B.: Advise if any other scenario missed!]
However Mx can render all this calculation unnecessary by just defeating Kent on 25th February 2012 to complete an undefeated SCCU cycle and then looking forward to a quarter-final match against either Warwickshire or Nottinghamshire!
Go on the Mx!