Post by arf on Jun 15, 2014 8:29:28 GMT
"Familiarity makes the lion more dangerous.”
Match Statistics
Middlesex vs. Surrey:
All Matches P77 W51 D7 L19 Last Played 15/3/2014 Middlesex W 9.5-6.5
SCCU P75 W50 D7 L18 Last Played 15/3/2014 Middlesex W 9.5-6.5
National P2 W1 L1 Last Played 13/7/2013 ECF F Middlesex L 7.5-8.5
ECF National Stage Open SF Performance:
Middlesex P31 W26 L5 Success Rate: 84%
Surrey P16 W10 L6 Success Rate: 63%
Middlesex has had to wait an age before their next match and when it comes what happens? They face a familiar foe: Surrey. What is it they say you wait for one bus then several come at once! Having never played Surrey in the Open Section at National Stage (sole National Stage match was 1993-94 Minor Final, Middlesex wins10.5-5.5) the two play for a third consecutive year. This cycle though they meet a round earlier as the previous encounters were two finals. The neutral will be glad that the two are not competing in yet another final but for the combatants it may as well be for whomsoever wins had to be seen as favourites in the real thing – neither Yorkshire nor Kent held fears for either team!
Middlesex’s victory over Surrey in the Regional Stage was important as it gave them a psychological advantage if the two were to meet again in the National and it seemed to prove to be the case when you reflect on the events that transpired before the tie. During the Regional Stage your author believed Surrey was indulging in ‘kidology’ when their captain informed ‘they would be missing several key players’ for the SCCU title-deciding match. Surrey’s team turned out to be consistent with their team average so in fielding one of their strongest teams for the cycle your author was wise to ignore the declaration. Having not fallen for it the first time your author would’ve been foolish to believe it a second time, ‘Fool me once shame on you; fool me twice shame on me!’ It was thought that they were at it once again when prior to the ECF Draw being finalised (31st March 2014) on the 18th March their captain once again informs that, subject to defeating Lancashire in the QF, if match played on 14th June they would be weaker than usual this being due to the tie clashing with the Bournemouth Congress. Consequently he asked if match could be brought forward the reason being he desired to have a ‘competitive match’, i.e., field their strongest players thereby maximising their chance of reaching a 4th consecutive National Final – thereby emulating Middlesex who were the first team to achieve this feat between1933-37. It must be remembered the last time a weak Surrey team (average 184) travelled to Middlesex was in 2012-13 for the SCCU title-deciding match (16/3/2013) and they were quite simply outclassed (Middlesex win 11-5). Presumption apart (don’t Lancashire have a say whether Surrey make it to SF or not? it was understandable why a request to bring match forward is made because if they failed to bring a competitive side they would expect to be outclassed once again. Although instincts said to reject request to change date if only because it is easier for matches to be played on default date, Surrey’s captain raised a valid point, ‘the Bournemouth Congress could take away a significant number of SCCU players’. In order to determine squad’s intention a survey was undertaken; thankfully default date as suspected was the preferred date.
What conclusions would you draw from all these pre-match shenanigans? One would argue that in wanting a ‘competitive match’ Surrey were running scared! A captain confident in his squad would say that irrespective of strength of team fielded or playing conditions they will win. Yes you may well lose but you have faith your team will dig deep and pull out a result especially if unexpected. When an opponent is aware of the problems their foe has from their perspective, ‘Do I want ‘a competitive match and lose or uncompetitive match and win’!?’ Why on earth would you want a competitive match if it means you can record a double over your rival and with it gain a berth in the final at their expense! Thus Middlesex seemed to have all in their favour a home draw and a strong team against an expected weak one. However the proverb, “Familiarity makes the lion more dangerous”, must always be kept in mind. You must always be wary of something dangerous even and especially when you are used to it as invariably it is this familiarity that persuades you to let down your guard! With supposed pre-match information provided and the shenanigans by Surrey, if Middlesex were to take it at face-value and relax then a lion-like Surrey could well wreak havoc on their desire to lift the Lowënthal Trophy for a record 30th time; and lift the both Lowënthal and Shannon trophies for a 26th time, the first time a Middlesex team would have achieved this since J. Nyman’s squad did it in 1988-89. The team did though come agonisingly close to it when they lost 2012-13 National Final to Surrey (7.5-8.5).
Middlesex went into match knowing victory would increase their chances of securing a SCCU/National Double for the first time in a quarter of a century (too long by their standards!). It was evident they were focused on task at hand as team maintained their season average (194) Middlesex clearly were looking to take no prisoners but nonetheless expected a tough match. Despite some of their captain’s pre-National Stage concerns Surrey once again fielded a team in line with their expected even when you allow for the late substitution (193). With the teams separated by 1point a close and tight encounter was on the card - Par Score: 8-8.
Like the earlier encounter there was an early draw however unlike that one Middlesex got an early win which seemed to indicate the direction of the match - a Middlesex victory! Bob attained a comprehensive win over Ben Purton. Details of the game are scant but one or two glimpses of it showed that Bob had Ben on the ropes having destroyed his position and leading the king on a merry dance. Some would say that Ben ‘owed’ Middlesex a point after his previous tomfoolery! In the early days of Middlesex’ return Ben had turned out for them however he proved to be a hindrance not a help especially on two occasions (vs. Hertfordshire 2008-09 and vs. Somerset 2011-12). Of the two it was a blessing that he did not turn out in the latter as it transpired he neglected to inform that he had played for Suffolk earlier in the season, thus had he turned out Middlesex would have fielded an ineligible player and instead of going on to lift the title would be cursing their luck. Middlesex leads 1.5-0.5
With Middlesex taking an early lead they were looking to build on it and the solid draws by Mike and Andrew coupled with Guy’s win ensures Middlesex do just that. Guy has been in tremendous form for the Open team and his positional win over the Surrey captain, he exploited both the Open a&b-files and seventh rank leaving his opponent with nowhere to go, meant he maintained his 100% record. Although match in early phase if Middlesex were to prevail he must hope that he can get a place in the final so that he can maintain his challenge for the Martin Blaine Best Performance Cup. Middlesex leads 3.5-1.5. Middlesex have lead a firm lead and Surrey do not come within a sniff of challenging it.
A third of the match played and Middlesex are looking comfortable, a cursory analysis of the match position suggests Tomer’s game finely balanced as the tactical melee between he and former Middlesex stalwart Steve Berry could go either way; Rick like Richard is in a game where both he and his opponent are launching opposite side attacks, the question is which who will get in first? Peter (Ackley) who after going two pawns up gives up his queen to stave off a dangerous attack and establish a level position and Steve (Coles) who also has an equal position. Rick’s times his attack to perfection and secures Middlesex’s third win of the day. His win is followed up by the expected draws for Peter (Ackley) and Steve (Coles). Middlesex leads 5.5-2.5.
The match is beginning to look like a procession as Middlesex continue to edge ever closer to the winning line and two wins from the next four supports this view. Tomer’s and Nevil’s defeats are offset by Peter (Batchelor) and Colin (Crouch). The tactical melee went against Tomer as the threats to the queen gave his opponent the necessary tempi to win an exchange and convert game; Nevil had launched an impressive attack but in attempting to regroup let his opponent off the hook who launched an irrepressible attack of his own. The defeats by Tomer and Nevil were the only ones to be experienced on the day. Peter (Batchelor) makes is a successful one for the Batchelor Boys as he makes his positional play pay off. His opponent was in such a tight bind he struggled to find any meaningful play. Opposite side attacks were definitely the order of the day as Colin staved off the attack on his queenside castled king, a timely exchange sacrifice allowed him to utilise his minor pieces more effectively and heigh-ho Middlesex secure another win! Middlesex leads 7.5-4.5.
Things are looking bleak for Surrey and any hopes they harboured of making it to a fourth successive final was done for when Richard’s win took Middlesex over the winning line. Like Rick and Colin before him Richard likewise executes an opposite side attack. With the win in the bag and three games to go the question now was margin of victory. Could Middlesex reach double-digits? The prospects of it came closer as Carsten, who had to wait an age before Surrey decided to play their substitute, prospered on his opponent’s early mistake. Middlesex reach double figures when Trevor agrees draw, one that may have been taken earlier had his opponent opted for repetition but with match going against Surrey he just had to chance his arm. Trevor comfortably rebuffed the attempts.
With match done and dusted the question was whether Middlesex would lose another game? Mark came uncomfortably close to making it so when he miscalculated the strength of the seemingly quiet Bh3. In playing one or two second best moves his opponent allowed Mark to come out of the skirmish with a bloody nose rather than having his head skewered by a pike. Mark’s counter-play seemed to worry his opponent as having come out of the skirmish the exchange up it was inexplicably given back making Mark’s task easier and he goes on to win. Lady Luck was definitely on Mark’s side! Mark’s victory puts a gloss on the result – Final Score: Middlesex win 11-5. Great result!
So Middlesex make one half of the Final, who the other? The other half of the draw sees Kent play Yorkshire.
Match Statistics
Kent vs. Yorkshire
ECF National Stage Open matches (All):
Kent P87 W61 L26 Success Rate: 70%
Yorkshire P87 W44 L43 Success Rate: 51%
Head-to-Head P9 Kent leads 7-2
ECF National Stage Open SF Performance:
Kent P31 W21 L10 Success Rate: 68%
Yorkshire P33 W15 L18 Success Rate: 45%
Head-to-Head P7 Kent leads 5-2
From an SCCU perspective the hope was that Kent would win the SF encounter as in first instance it would guarantee an 18th All-SCCU final (making it the 25th All-Union Final since they became possible from 1957-58 meaning over the past 56 cycles an All-Union final has on average taken place once every 2years!) Further if Kent were to prevail it would mean a record would be set as this would be the fourth All-SCCU final in succession thus breaking previous record of 3: NCCUx1 – 1965-68; SCCUx2 -1970-73 & 1996-99. With an SCCU presence in final guaranteed anyway it would be better for them if an 18th All-SCCU final transpired as it would ensure SCCU lift the title for a 60th time stretching their lead over the other Unions combined (35).
Although the above proves interesting the hopes of an All-SCCU final could be dashed when one recalls the last time Kent and Yorkshire were pitted against each other. The year was 2009, the last cycle before the grading uplift and the change in grading boundaries. Unfortunately for Kent they could only field a team of 14 and fielded their weakest team all season (Kent Match Average: 178; Kent Season Average182). Thus with Yorkshire already establishing a 2-0 lead and averaging 193 (Par Score: Yorkshire win10-6) it was unsurprising that the SCCU Champions succumbed – final score Yorkshire win 10.5-5.5. So apart from potentially wanting to set-up an All-SCCU final at the very least Kent should seek to avenge their abject performance.
At time of writing no match details available however the prospects of a fourth consecutive All-SCCU clash are indeed dashed as Kent succumbed 7-9.
Next Match
ECF F vs. Yorkshire
Date – 12th July 2014
Venue – The Trident Centre, Warwick CV34 6SW
Start Time – tbc (usually 1:30pm)
Time Control – 40moves in 2h + 30mins QPF
Middlesex reach another Final and in doing so have or will have achieved a number of significant milestones. In playing (and winning?) Final they:
a) Appear in their 100th match at the National Stage (Open 94; Minor 6);
b) Appear in 3 consecutive Finals – last achieved 1987 (1984-85, 1985-86 &1986-87);
c) Win National Title for a record 30th time; and
d) Win both the National and SCCU Titles thereby securing a 26th SCCU/National Double – last achieved 1988-89.
A further milestone must be added, a personal one. In leading Middlesex to the final your author does so for a fourth time thereby eclipsing the record of three held jointly by:
W.M. Hardman (1907-10)
W. Bonwick (1931-32 & 1933-34)
A. Sutton (1934-37)
D.B. Pritchard (1946 & 1948-50)
Miss E. Tranmer (1962-65)
J. Poole (1954-55 & 1968-69)
R. Jennings (1984-87)
These are all notable milestones some of which cannot be denied whatever happens in Final however let’s seek to achieve them and to do it the challenge posed by Yorkshire must be overcome. If their challenge is swatted away it ensures the squad continues to rewrite Middlesex’s record books!
Each cycle the MCCA awards the Martin Blaine Cup to the best performing Open team player. After 6 rounds the leading positions are:
1. C. Mackenzie 36pts
2. G. Batchelor 34pts
3. R. McMichael 31pts
4. P. Ackley 30pts
5= A. Stone 29pts
5= R. Eames 29pts
5= P. Batchelor 29pts
Go on the Middlesex!