Post by arf on Mar 21, 2015 6:24:51 GMT
Match u180 Middlesex vs. Essex (14th March 2015)
Champions!
Your author must apologise to his readers for the paucity of match reports this cycle, professional issues has diverted his attention. With these now under some form of control, he can once again turn his attention to providing (entertaining!) accounts of Middlesex’s journey through the County Championships.
What a time for him to resume his reports as the 14th March of saw a titanic clash between Middlesex and Essex – a title decider to determine who would be SCCU Champions. It is with great pleasure to announce that Middlesex are SCCU u180 Champions – the 2nd time in my tenure as captain that team has lifted the Montague-Jones Trophy, thereby equalling the following captains who also lifted 2 SCCU titles: F. Batchelor (Tenure – 1972-74 / Titles – 1972-73 & 1973-74); D. Foley-Comer (1974-78 / 1975-76 & 1976-77) and S. Dabby (1984-86 / 1984-85 & 1985-86) . As the account of the match will show the team had to dig to eke out the 8.5-7.5 score-line. It is with great credit to the team that they did indeed dig deep and put the auld enemy to the sword.
Prior to their match Essex had been a juggernaut playing and defeating Kent, Surrey and Sussex (P3 W3). Middlesex had faced the same opponents but had more of a roller coaster ride, first defeating Kent, losing to Surrey and due to the number of defaults inevitably beating Sussex (P3 W2 L1). Notwithstanding their respective travails the final match between the auld enemies found them in a title-deciding match where the winner would expect to be crowned SCCU Champions and gain the extra reward of a bye to the semi-final of the National Stage. A perfect end to the cycle! The observant reader will notice the term ‘expected’ is used why not ‘actual’? As will be seen things were not straightforward as there was an added complication but more of that in due course!
Over the past few cycles (2011-12 to date) your author in the main has had the luxury of being a non-playing captain, however with a title on the line and a few key players absent it was only right he put himself into the XVI. One of the reasons it is good to be a non-playing captain is because many of you will recognise the following sentiment. A playing captain is, more often than not, a liability as they are often unable to focus on their game as the duties of a captain takes precedence, namely, Before match, getting team together, especially strong one’s when facing strong opponent; beginning of match, has everyone turned up? Do I have any substitutes to avoid defaults? During, maintaining an eye on the match position – the more boards the more time invested to monitoring thus inevitably the quality of their game suffers, if draw offered should it be accepted or should player play for win? And finally, dealing with issues as and when they arise. Who’d be a captain! In this instance I must give thanks to Richard who willingly took on the monitoring of games and sorting out one or two problems that did arise. I can safely say that if he had not been there I’m not sure I would have been able to extricate myself from a difficult endgame and get a hard fought draw; a draw which maintained a 1pt deficit (Middlesex trail 5-6).
So how did Middlesex get to a point where they had to dig deep to achieve the two wins to both overturn the deficit and go on to win match? Bearing in mind your author spent much of his time navigating the minefield laid out by his opponent he is unable to give much detail to the content of games played! However what can be reported is:
The gravity of the match was clearly apparent as 2 relatively quick draws were agreed by both Ian and Jon. Then disaster strikes Middlesex lose 2 of the next three games to trail 1.5-3.5. There was only bright spot in these series of games that being Charlie’s (McAleenan) draw. Your author has stated that if there is one quality the Middlesex team displays it is their fighting one. They did it earlier in the season against Kent and they once again demonstrated here.
u180 debutant Fraser reduced the deficit by half, a devastating King-side attack sees him mate his opponent, well that is the price you pay when in having the white pieces you opt for a passive line! Leon levels the score, a tactical game sees him win the exchange, yield the exchange and positionally outplay his opponent. Score tied 4-4.
The game is now finely balanced. Both sides know with 8 games to go any slip up could be costly. Who of the two, who would hold their nerve? Who would crack? Middlesex soon experience another which would seem to mean that at first glance they were the team who could not handle the pressure; they once again trail. Mx trail 4.5-5.5.
Which bring us to the opening comments of this match report, your author’s draw maintains the 1point deficit. With 5games to go, Middlesex are trailing by 1point and need 2wins to defeat Essex so they could potentially be crowned SCCU Champions. Having only gotten round to seeing the boards 6,7 and 8 of the 5 remaining games the despondency was lifted as Andy secured a win to once again level scores (6-6).
With the match going down to the wire any win would pretty much mean that it was over. Who would gain that much needed win, or would we get one of those rarities a drawn county match? Middlesex’s last draw was away to Kent in the opening match of the 2008-09 Cycle when they were the u175! 40matches played since and no draw. This match would have broken a very long run! However there was no need for concern as due to his patient strategic play Nevil extracted a win. Middlesex lead for the first and decisive time! Mx lead 7.5-6.5.
Essex must be cursing Oscar Wilde (your author will take some liberties when quoting him): “To lose the lead once is unfortunate; twice carelessness!” Middlesex are great front runners and now they were in the lead with 2games to go victory was the only option as the Essex players would have to have played suicidal chess to try to get victory. Draws by both George and Mat finishes the match. Middlesex win 8.5-7.5 and are provisionally SCCU Champions. Well done guys for the securing a hard fought win. However would the gloss be taken off as the expectation was that the victory should see Middlesex as Champions, thus why only provisional, how could Middlesex be denied?? It was known from the outset that Surrey could prevent them from lifting the title if they were to defeat Sussex in Hassocks!
The title was not just a head-to-head confrontation between Middlesex and Essex, Surrey had a influential sway in the direction of the title. If results went the right way, namely, Middlesex and Surrey wins, it meant that they and Essex were all on 3points. With all teams having defeated each other the final tie-break would be game-points between the three and Essex’s was clearly superior after their 10.5-5.5 hammering of Surrey. In this scenario in order for Middlesex to deny Essex they would have needed to win 10-6 which as seen did not happen. Thus a tense wait ensued. How quickly would Middlesex know if they were Champions? Or that despite their defeat Essex were Champions? Their silver-lining in a dark cloud! How did Surrey get on?
The possibility of a nail-biting wait was brought to a swift end as Nevil knew that John Foley was playing for Surrey. A quick telephone to him informed that Surrey had been defeated. Middlesex were Champions subject to confirmation by SCCU Controller. The publishing of the Sussex result some 24hours later confirmed that Middlesex were indeed Champions.
So although delayed well done guys on once again getting Middlesex crowned Champions! My thanks once again to Richard for making this possible as had I lost my game match drawn and we’re denied! In all this excitement we must not forget to acknowledge the debuts of both Fraser and Atreya. The pair had mixed fortunes but we look forward to both being in the u180 team as of right in the near future.
League Table
1. Middlesex 3pts (35 Game Points) Champions
2. Essex 3 (39.5)
3. Sussex 2 (29.5)
4. Surrey 2 (30.5)
5. Kent 0 (25.5)
Martin Blaine Equivalent Best Performance Cup
Each cycle the MCCA awards the Martin Blaine Cup to the best performing Open team player – a cup and cash prize. Having had difficulty raising teams maybe it is worth introducing a similar award for the other divisions. In the event they were to institute a similar award for the u180 the leading positions at the end of the SCCU Stage are:
1. J. Kay 23points
2. B. Kane 21
3= I. Calvert 20
3= L. Fincham 20
5. M. Dydak 18
So another SCCU Campaign draws to an end and Middlesex for the 12th time are Champions. The cycle however continues as we now turn our eyes to the National Stage and consider the prospects of a Middlesex double. The chances as always are good because for a start we’re in it as and as they can you can only win it if you’re in it! At time of writing the National Stage Draw is provisional, however what is certain is that with 3 SCCU teams we receive a bye, thus the next game will be the semi-final and Middlesex would be drawn as the home team. So all in all prospects of getting to Final looks good. You will of course be notified of the draw as soon as finalised but for the time being revel in the fact that Middlesex have a title!
We are the Champions! We are the Champions!
Go on the Middlesex!
What a time for him to resume his reports as the 14th March of saw a titanic clash between Middlesex and Essex – a title decider to determine who would be SCCU Champions. It is with great pleasure to announce that Middlesex are SCCU u180 Champions – the 2nd time in my tenure as captain that team has lifted the Montague-Jones Trophy, thereby equalling the following captains who also lifted 2 SCCU titles: F. Batchelor (Tenure – 1972-74 / Titles – 1972-73 & 1973-74); D. Foley-Comer (1974-78 / 1975-76 & 1976-77) and S. Dabby (1984-86 / 1984-85 & 1985-86) . As the account of the match will show the team had to dig to eke out the 8.5-7.5 score-line. It is with great credit to the team that they did indeed dig deep and put the auld enemy to the sword.
Prior to their match Essex had been a juggernaut playing and defeating Kent, Surrey and Sussex (P3 W3). Middlesex had faced the same opponents but had more of a roller coaster ride, first defeating Kent, losing to Surrey and due to the number of defaults inevitably beating Sussex (P3 W2 L1). Notwithstanding their respective travails the final match between the auld enemies found them in a title-deciding match where the winner would expect to be crowned SCCU Champions and gain the extra reward of a bye to the semi-final of the National Stage. A perfect end to the cycle! The observant reader will notice the term ‘expected’ is used why not ‘actual’? As will be seen things were not straightforward as there was an added complication but more of that in due course!
Over the past few cycles (2011-12 to date) your author in the main has had the luxury of being a non-playing captain, however with a title on the line and a few key players absent it was only right he put himself into the XVI. One of the reasons it is good to be a non-playing captain is because many of you will recognise the following sentiment. A playing captain is, more often than not, a liability as they are often unable to focus on their game as the duties of a captain takes precedence, namely, Before match, getting team together, especially strong one’s when facing strong opponent; beginning of match, has everyone turned up? Do I have any substitutes to avoid defaults? During, maintaining an eye on the match position – the more boards the more time invested to monitoring thus inevitably the quality of their game suffers, if draw offered should it be accepted or should player play for win? And finally, dealing with issues as and when they arise. Who’d be a captain! In this instance I must give thanks to Richard who willingly took on the monitoring of games and sorting out one or two problems that did arise. I can safely say that if he had not been there I’m not sure I would have been able to extricate myself from a difficult endgame and get a hard fought draw; a draw which maintained a 1pt deficit (Middlesex trail 5-6).
So how did Middlesex get to a point where they had to dig deep to achieve the two wins to both overturn the deficit and go on to win match? Bearing in mind your author spent much of his time navigating the minefield laid out by his opponent he is unable to give much detail to the content of games played! However what can be reported is:
The gravity of the match was clearly apparent as 2 relatively quick draws were agreed by both Ian and Jon. Then disaster strikes Middlesex lose 2 of the next three games to trail 1.5-3.5. There was only bright spot in these series of games that being Charlie’s (McAleenan) draw. Your author has stated that if there is one quality the Middlesex team displays it is their fighting one. They did it earlier in the season against Kent and they once again demonstrated here.
u180 debutant Fraser reduced the deficit by half, a devastating King-side attack sees him mate his opponent, well that is the price you pay when in having the white pieces you opt for a passive line! Leon levels the score, a tactical game sees him win the exchange, yield the exchange and positionally outplay his opponent. Score tied 4-4.
The game is now finely balanced. Both sides know with 8 games to go any slip up could be costly. Who of the two, who would hold their nerve? Who would crack? Middlesex soon experience another which would seem to mean that at first glance they were the team who could not handle the pressure; they once again trail. Mx trail 4.5-5.5.
Which bring us to the opening comments of this match report, your author’s draw maintains the 1point deficit. With 5games to go, Middlesex are trailing by 1point and need 2wins to defeat Essex so they could potentially be crowned SCCU Champions. Having only gotten round to seeing the boards 6,7 and 8 of the 5 remaining games the despondency was lifted as Andy secured a win to once again level scores (6-6).
With the match going down to the wire any win would pretty much mean that it was over. Who would gain that much needed win, or would we get one of those rarities a drawn county match? Middlesex’s last draw was away to Kent in the opening match of the 2008-09 Cycle when they were the u175! 40matches played since and no draw. This match would have broken a very long run! However there was no need for concern as due to his patient strategic play Nevil extracted a win. Middlesex lead for the first and decisive time! Mx lead 7.5-6.5.
Essex must be cursing Oscar Wilde (your author will take some liberties when quoting him): “To lose the lead once is unfortunate; twice carelessness!” Middlesex are great front runners and now they were in the lead with 2games to go victory was the only option as the Essex players would have to have played suicidal chess to try to get victory. Draws by both George and Mat finishes the match. Middlesex win 8.5-7.5 and are provisionally SCCU Champions. Well done guys for the securing a hard fought win. However would the gloss be taken off as the expectation was that the victory should see Middlesex as Champions, thus why only provisional, how could Middlesex be denied?? It was known from the outset that Surrey could prevent them from lifting the title if they were to defeat Sussex in Hassocks!
The title was not just a head-to-head confrontation between Middlesex and Essex, Surrey had a influential sway in the direction of the title. If results went the right way, namely, Middlesex and Surrey wins, it meant that they and Essex were all on 3points. With all teams having defeated each other the final tie-break would be game-points between the three and Essex’s was clearly superior after their 10.5-5.5 hammering of Surrey. In this scenario in order for Middlesex to deny Essex they would have needed to win 10-6 which as seen did not happen. Thus a tense wait ensued. How quickly would Middlesex know if they were Champions? Or that despite their defeat Essex were Champions? Their silver-lining in a dark cloud! How did Surrey get on?
The possibility of a nail-biting wait was brought to a swift end as Nevil knew that John Foley was playing for Surrey. A quick telephone to him informed that Surrey had been defeated. Middlesex were Champions subject to confirmation by SCCU Controller. The publishing of the Sussex result some 24hours later confirmed that Middlesex were indeed Champions.
So although delayed well done guys on once again getting Middlesex crowned Champions! My thanks once again to Richard for making this possible as had I lost my game match drawn and we’re denied! In all this excitement we must not forget to acknowledge the debuts of both Fraser and Atreya. The pair had mixed fortunes but we look forward to both being in the u180 team as of right in the near future.
League Table
1. Middlesex 3pts (35 Game Points) Champions
2. Essex 3 (39.5)
3. Sussex 2 (29.5)
4. Surrey 2 (30.5)
5. Kent 0 (25.5)
Martin Blaine Equivalent Best Performance Cup
Each cycle the MCCA awards the Martin Blaine Cup to the best performing Open team player – a cup and cash prize. Having had difficulty raising teams maybe it is worth introducing a similar award for the other divisions. In the event they were to institute a similar award for the u180 the leading positions at the end of the SCCU Stage are:
1. J. Kay 23points
2. B. Kane 21
3= I. Calvert 20
3= L. Fincham 20
5. M. Dydak 18
So another SCCU Campaign draws to an end and Middlesex for the 12th time are Champions. The cycle however continues as we now turn our eyes to the National Stage and consider the prospects of a Middlesex double. The chances as always are good because for a start we’re in it as and as they can you can only win it if you’re in it! At time of writing the National Stage Draw is provisional, however what is certain is that with 3 SCCU teams we receive a bye, thus the next game will be the semi-final and Middlesex would be drawn as the home team. So all in all prospects of getting to Final looks good. You will of course be notified of the draw as soon as finalised but for the time being revel in the fact that Middlesex have a title!
We are the Champions! We are the Champions!
Go on the Middlesex!