Post by arf on Nov 12, 2008 21:44:36 GMT
I am pleased to state that in my third year as captain the first game of the season does not end in defeat!! Okay so we didn't win either but a creditable draw was potentially more than I could have hoped for as a second string team was fielded against a Kent team of unknown strength. In the scheme of things Kent were not as strong as I suspected and this was proven by the fact that we were in touching distance of recording a win. Congrats guys on a job well done.
The match got off to a bad start as we quickly fell 0-1 behind after a miniature was recorded, however we did not let this deter us as at the halfway point we had turned this around to lead 4.5-3.5. Wins for Peter Staneland and Ray Harper meant that with the positions on the other boards we were in control of our own destiny. After a series of draws and an exchange of wins with the score standing at 7-6 to Mx as noted above we were within a stone's throw away from victory. Match position - secure a win and a solid draw on two out of the three remaining boards, record a 9-7 win and we were off to a flying start, but as we all know, 'Fate can be a fickle mistress!' An unfortunate blunder meant that one of the level games was eventually lost and to further compound the misfortune the win became a draw! With the requisite draw on the last board, final result 8-8. In the end we contrived to secure a draw from the jaws of victory! But 'Heigh-ho!' that's chess for you!
So apart from the fact that I avoid a dreaded hat-trick of first match defeats are there any other positives to take out of the match? Well only one - we won on board count!
Yesterday's other result saw a rematch of the ECF u175 Final - Surrey v Essex - with Essex attaining a 8.5-7.5 win. Middlesex (2007) and Surrey (2008) as reigning champions lose their first match in attempting to defend the crown. Just shows how difficult it is to try to retain the title.
We now have a lengthy break as our next match is not until the 15th November 2008 at home to Essex. In the mean time there will be a couple of Open games that you may be asked to turn out for.
Congrats once again guys on ensuring we get off to a positive start.
Match details - www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/match2.htm
The match got off to a bad start as we quickly fell 0-1 behind after a miniature was recorded, however we did not let this deter us as at the halfway point we had turned this around to lead 4.5-3.5. Wins for Peter Staneland and Ray Harper meant that with the positions on the other boards we were in control of our own destiny. After a series of draws and an exchange of wins with the score standing at 7-6 to Mx as noted above we were within a stone's throw away from victory. Match position - secure a win and a solid draw on two out of the three remaining boards, record a 9-7 win and we were off to a flying start, but as we all know, 'Fate can be a fickle mistress!' An unfortunate blunder meant that one of the level games was eventually lost and to further compound the misfortune the win became a draw! With the requisite draw on the last board, final result 8-8. In the end we contrived to secure a draw from the jaws of victory! But 'Heigh-ho!' that's chess for you!
So apart from the fact that I avoid a dreaded hat-trick of first match defeats are there any other positives to take out of the match? Well only one - we won on board count!
Yesterday's other result saw a rematch of the ECF u175 Final - Surrey v Essex - with Essex attaining a 8.5-7.5 win. Middlesex (2007) and Surrey (2008) as reigning champions lose their first match in attempting to defend the crown. Just shows how difficult it is to try to retain the title.
We now have a lengthy break as our next match is not until the 15th November 2008 at home to Essex. In the mean time there will be a couple of Open games that you may be asked to turn out for.
Congrats once again guys on ensuring we get off to a positive start.
Match details - www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/match2.htm