Post by arf on Nov 4, 2012 11:37:25 GMT
Middlesex win Saxon Derby!
Middlesex as reigning u180 National and SCCU Champions got their 2012-13 campaigns to defend their titles underway with a resounding 11-5 win over Essex in the Saxon derby! The margin of victory was surprising as with a team differential of 3 grading points in favour of Middlesex (Middlesex average 165 – Essex average 162) a tight rather comprehensive result was envisaged.
“Having scored three losses and a solitary draw Essex would have chosen any other fixture than starting away to national u180 champions Middlesex” (Chessex u180 blog) were the thoughts of the Essex captain who looked at the match with foreboding. This contrasts to Middlesex who irrespective of previous results relish the tussle with their Saxon neighbours. This is in part is because my maiden match as captain was a 5-11 reverse so subsequent matches have always been attempts to avenge this defeat – some successful; others not so!
The other is since the grading limits were introduced in 1992-93 Essex’s 2nd Team has been the yardstick by which competing SCCU Counties 2nd teams have had to measure themselves against and much of their success occurred under the captaincy of John Philpott. During the period 1992-2011 Essex in these 19years failed to reach the national stages twice (1992-93 and 1995-96) proceeding to the National Stage as SCCU Champions 13 times! Of the 17 times they participate in National Stage they reach 8 finals winning 5 of them. The 2011-12 Cycle was a nadir for Essex as apart from failing to qualify for a third time it was the first time they collected the wooden spoon. With the ignominy of finishing bottom followed up by a trouncing by their ‘auld’ enemy in the opening match of the current cycle it must be wondered whether a paradigm shift is occurring, namely, is the Essex star waning just as Middlesex’s is beginning to wax? At some point that which waxes must wane! Middlesex’s 2nd team waxed during the 1970’s and 1980’s. The restructuring of the County Championship competition in 1992 was detrimental to Middlesex and coupled with the internal warfare of MCCA the demise of Middlesex as a County force transpired onwards from the 1990’s. Clearly in this time whilst Middlesex’s star wanes, Essex’s waxes!
Philosophical musings aside the match got off to an explosive start as within 45minutes Middlesex were ahead as Guy recorded a miniature! It is just as quick to give you a score of the game as to comment! Middlesex lead 1-0.
Board 3: G. Batchelor (Middlesex) vs. T.D. Whitton (Essex)
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Nxe4 4. Bxf7+ Kxf7 5. Nxe4 Nc6 6. Qf3+ Kg8 Ng5 1-0
Despite the early setback Essex were able to record a victory of their own as Middlesex u180 debutant Paul Kennelly was unable to find sufficient defensive resources against his opponent’s irresistible attack. The match was Paul’s first for the County for some time having been a regular for the u150 a decade or so ago. Welcome back Paul. Score level 1-1
Paul’s defeat was only one of two that Middlesex were to endure in the match. The second of which sandwiched a Middlesex run of +2 =2 to establish a 4-3 lead. Chris’s tactical ending to his game is a fine one which sees him win material, threaten mate and restores Middlesex lead. This is followed up with 2 solid draws from John and Jonathan W and a subsequent win by Mike B. Andrew’s defeat is the sole full point that Middlesex yields in the remaining 14boards. Middlesex leads 4-3.
With the match finely poised Middlesex raise their game and blow Essex away as they go on to record four consecutive wins to attain an unassailable 8-3 lead. Victor, Jonathan K, Mike P and Charlie all do the business in style against their respective opponents.
With victory tantalising close thoughts turn to what the margin of victory would be and whether Middlesex would be able to attain their first double-digit one over Essex. In my tenure games between these adversaries rarely yield double-digit score-lines. Maiden game apart the most common results are 9.5-6.5 / 9-7 (7/11). Russell obtains the draw to take Middlesex over the winning line so now game on to reach 10. Middlesex leads 8.5-3.5
The respective positions of the remaining four games suggest it is achievable since:
Ian although an exchange down has sufficient compensation to make things difficult for his opponent in his attempts to obtain the win. Ian’s adventurous play secures the draw. Middlesex leads 9-4
David has a safe draw which is duly agreed. Middlesex leads 9.5-4.5
Neville has a huge advantage over his opponent and is now turning the screw to execute. The pressure is clearly telling on his opponent as he increasingly becomes irascible calling for quiet at the slightest noise. Unable to cope with Neville’s steadily applied pressure he eventually cracks and in garnering the point Neville ensures Middlesex records a double-digit victory. Middlesex leads 10.5-4.5
Bill is last to finish and although standing worse can complicate matters to make it impossible for his opponent to navigate the remainder of the game safely to record a third win for Essex. In trying to consolidate his position the small advantage slips away and a draw is acquiesced to.
Middlesex win 11-5 stretching their unbeaten run to 8. Well done guys!
The u180 division as always will prove to be an interesting one. Apart from the Middlesex-Essex match the first round sees Surrey dispatch Sussex 12-4. What is notable about the Surrey performance is how strong they were unusually for an away match (Surrey average 169) suggesting they could be slighter stronger at home when we play them in Round 4 in February. Surrey has always posed a threat but with a dominant Essex and a resurgent Middlesex has failed to realise their chances. Could 2012-13 be their year? Added to this are the comments of the Kent Chairman – Mike Wiltshire – at the Open match between Kent and Middlesex (6/10/12). In short he is being somewhat belligerent about their prospects he feels they have a squad that will be able to go all the way. With a win under our belt against a traditionally strong County in this section it seems as though Surrey and Kent are now the teams to watch this cycle. Middlesex look forward to challenge they present in trying to prevent them from retaining their trophies!
Table after Round 1
1. Surrey 1/1 (12)
2. Middlesex 1/1 (11)
3. Essex 0/1 (5)
4. Sussex 0/1 (4)
5. Kent 0/0 (0)
Fixtures Round 2 – 15/12/12
Kent vs. Middlesex (Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford); Essex vs. Sussex
We embark on a lengthy break then as next match just before festive break. In travelling to Dartford Middlesex will need to be at their strongest to counter the fighting words from Mike. Surrey will want a decisive result between Kent and Middlesex as one or other will virtually be eliminated from championship run-in. A decisive result between Essex and Sussex will all but ensure one or other is not only eliminated from the championship but mean that they will be unable to qualify for the national stages. Having failed to do so in 2011-12 for only the third time in twenty years Essex will want to guarantee that they do not set a trend!
Go on the Middlesex!