Post by arf on Jun 15, 2012 2:13:42 GMT
We're on the road to Leicester!
With the onset of May the ECF Stages began in earnest for Mx. A successive season sees 3 Mx teams qualify for the k-o stages and seek glory for both MCCA and SCCU. The draw was kind to the teams as they all entered the knock-out competition at the QF Stage and if successfully negotiated there was high hopes (as always!) that they would all make it to Leicester for Finals Day. The QF pairings: Open vs. Staffordshire; u180 vs. Warwickshire and u160 vs. Nottinghamshire. All matches to be played 19th May with Open and u180 jointly held in Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire.
This situation occurred in 2010-11 cycle despite captains best efforts to avoid it, thereby presenting Mx with a problem. Namely, the sizes of then respective squads showed lack of depth as proven by the fact that u160 withdrew (problems raising a full team); the u180 too small underlined when a number were elevated to Open. As a result only the Open team tasted success defeating Greater Manchester (9-7).
The challenge of raising competitive teams when there is overlap and matches are played on same day will be problematic for successful counties. However, as mooted in previous reports, it is one to be faced at some stage, even if it is only the final. The 2011-12 Cycle sees Mx in a better position to take on this challenge.
Unfortunately the u160’s once again withdrew for lack of numbers. It must be asked if the withdrawal is due to a small u160 squad or there just is no wish for the squad to play outside the environs of the SCCU. If the former a real effort must be made by all to identify players willing to represent county; if latter then would be good to know so that nomination can be declined allowing those counties who genuinely want to play to compete. Prior to the QF a total of 6 counties had withdrawn where 3 were from SCCU! Despite how well SCCU do in the other sections the u160 is the one section which is a disappointment for them. However, unlike last year the Open and u180 squads are stronger suggesting that Mx is on the brink of becoming a major force. Thus the Open and u180 teams were left to fly the flag for Mx in a double SCCU vs. MCCU clash!
Anyway what of the QF matches? Mx had a great day, a sojourn to Oxfordshire, a fine selection of sandwiches, a few drinks at a local hostelry, and oh yeah winning 2 QF matches defeating Staffordshire 11.5-4.5 and Warwickshire 8.5-7.5 respectively. Brilliant result guys! Curiously if Mx is considered the home team the combined match score is 20-12. An omen?
The Open faced Somerset for the first time since I don’t know when but in previous incarnations of Union structure clashes between the two counties were frequent. The team’s margin of victory was somewhat surprising considering the fact that there was nothing really between the teams (Mx average -188, Staffordshire - 184). Mark recorded the first result – a win - and from then on the match was a procession with Staffordshire failing to record a single win! Positive debuts were made by Tim Rogers; Victor Boy Lazoni and Nick Bond who between them contributed 2.5/3 points. In attaining such a comprehensive victory Mx clearly sent a signal to other competitors – ‘We mean business!’ Well done to you all.
www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/matchbcf.htm#open
Where the Open match was a straightforward affair, the u180 match was a different kettle of fish!
The QF pairing against Warwickshire was a reprise of their preliminary match in 2010-11cycle and Mx was still smarting from defeat (9.6-6.5). In that match Mx never ‘truly’ showed what they were capable of since it was the weakest team fielded all season. At no stage had a team been fielded with an average below 166 but for this match they just crept over 160 in effect an u160 team playing an u180 competition. Warwickshire were only marginally stronger (team average 163) and came out as the winning team.
Consequently Mx was determined to right this wrong – to field a genuine u180 team in line with their season average AND defeat Warwickshire! The first part of their desire was accomplished as the team average was a healthy 166. So expectations were high that they could achieve the second! However, Warwickshire must have suspected Mx’s desire to exact revenge since they fielded an equally strong team. With the team differential being 0.75 it suggested that the u180 match would be a tight affair. So it proved to be with Mx winning by the odd board in 16, 8.5-7.5.
With team averages so close it came as no surprise that the first few results petered out as dead even. When first blood drawn, it went to Mx; Chris recording first wins of the match. Mx leads 2-1
The lead was extended when Andrew scored a comfortable win. Andrew admits his victory was more a result of his opponent’s poor play and all he was doing was punishing the errors! Mx leads 3-1
These wins were welcome as if board count became a factor in order Warwickshire to win they would need to find at least 2 wins on higher boards! The battle was joined. (Board Count score Mx23.5-Warks2.5)
Successive draws sees Mx maintain their 2 point lead before Warwickshire strike back. Match score 4-2 (28.5-7.5).
Where Mx scored back to back wins, Warwickshire did likewise. Bill was involved in a complex game and the calculations required by both players meant the chances were 1 or other likely to lose on time or make a blunder. Unfortunately Bill lost on time. This defeat was quickly followed by Charlie’s who acknowledged at no stage was he in the game; his opponent secured an early positional advantage and like a python would, squeezed him to death. Match tied 4-4 (28.5-28.5).
The advantage now lay with Warwickshire since although match level their wins on boards 10&11 offset Mx wins on boards 7&14. Draws on the remaining 8 boards would see Mx knocked out on the elimination rule. Warwickshire had upped their game could Mx do likewise? They could!
Mx once again record 2 wins in succession. Guy involved in a protracted endgame eventually cajoled his opponent into a B for 2P sacrifice. The sacrifice allowed Guy to demonstrate his N was stronger than his opponents 2P. His victory was followed by Mike’s thereby restoring Mx’s 2-point advantage. Mx leads 6-4 (37.5-28.5)
Mx though was never really comfortable, even when establishing a 2pt lead at various times, as they failed to land the coup de grace that would all but finish Warwickshire off therefore match was always finally poised. Match position revealed of the remaining games Mx were +2 -4. So long as these games went as expected the match score would be tied but Mx would edge board count 66.5 - 69.5.
In failing to find killer blow Warwickshire were given chances to equalise but they had to deal with looming spectre of board count; to avoid losing on it meant they would have to find at least 3 wins from remaining 6 games to overturn deficit to claim outright victory. An exchange of wins between the sides (Russell’s loss offset by David’s win) sees Mx maintain its lead 7-5 (50.5-33.5).
It was clear that the match was heading to its denouement. Mx looking to obtain 1pt from remaining 4 games to reach winning line and Roger looked nailed on to secure it having won a piece. However in doing so he was heading toward time trouble. The other matches (Martin, Bob and Ray) were not so good. From having one foot in the SF it looked as though Mx were heading out being on the wrong end of a 9-7 defeat; forced to have an extended summer break before trying to secure the title in 2012-13cycle. The threat of elimination, see their hopes of securing an unprecedented treble and attain the title, ‘The Invincibles’ being dashed. Would Mx go out yet again to Warwickshire? Or would Roger execute despite his precarious position on time? Alternatively would the hoped for miracle occur on one of the other 3 boards that would see Mx garner the required point to progress to the SF? Could Mx raise their game one final time?
The pivotal match was Martin’s. The position looked ominous as his opponent had good bishop vs. bad knight and passed a-pawn supported by rook. Martin desperately looked for ways to generate counter-play thereby freeing his blockading knight and passive rook. These opportunities did not seem to want to present themselves when a minor miscalculation from his opponent allowed Martin’s knight to maraud the board and pick up the passed pawn and piece to boot. Martin duly secured the full point and with it ensured Mx would at least win on board count in the event Warwickshire were to record wins on the remaining boards! Scores Mx lead 8-5 (59.5-33.5)
Alas for Warwickshire, where they faced a virtual u160 team in the 10-11 Cycle and won they just couldn't do it against a genuine u180 team in the current cycle. The remaining games were academic since even if Warwickshire won them all they were out on board count (59.5-76.5). For the record Warwickshire pride meant they picked up 2.5/3 from remaining games. Mx wins 8.5-7.5, fantastic result!
In the tension of the match we must not forget to mention the performance of debutant Roger and stress the welcome return of Andrew. The match was Andrew’s first for Mx since 2001-02 a hiatus of 10years. There were mixed results for the pair with, as discussed, Andrew attaining win but Roger losing primarily due to a blunder whilst in time trouble. Well done Andrew; commiserations Roger.
www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/matchbcf.htm#u180
With the QF matches out of the way apart from the satisfaction of getting both teams one step closer to Leicester, what is clear is that we are able to field 2 competitive teams - ok admittedly a few headaches along the way as a number of players knew they were unavailable well in advance of QF and one or two late withdrawals on eve of match due to work and other commitments. Thanks to Tim, Victor, Nick, Andrew and Roger for stepping in at last minute. With players returning for the SF it should mean we will be able to field stronger teams in both sections and make a concerted push for both finals.
At time of writing the Open team's opponent is unknown as result between Somerset and Yorkshire is outstanding. The u180's are involved in an all SCCU affair as they face Surrey who defeated a tough Devon side by same score 8.5-7.5.Irrespective of SF opponents Mx are still on the road to Leicester.
Prior agreement with prospective SF opponents MC’s mean both matches will once again be played on the same day – 9th June 2012 – so once again it will be imperative that as many members from both squads are available especially as the u180 squad are now 2 wins from achieving an unprecedented treble and the Open 2 away from winning their first title since 1989!
First things first let’s revel in the QF success, win SF and get to final; once there then who knows!
Next matches:
ECF Stage SF 9th June 2012
Open vs. winner of Somerset vs. Yorkshire
U180 vs. Surrey
Venues tbc
Go on the Middlesex!
Open update. Shock result of the round - Somerset defeat Yorkshire on board count!! Yorks match report here - yorkshirechess.org/county-match-report-quarter-finals/
ECF Stage SF update:
Match dates – 9th June 2012
ECF SF Open vs. Somerset venue tbc
ECF SF u180 vs. Surrey Venue – The Pilot
With the SF line-up completed it turns out that Mx have a realistic chance of getting both 1st and 2nd teams through to the final; this would be the first time since 1985 when both went onto win their respective titles – no pressure there then!