Post by arf on Nov 28, 2010 11:55:59 GMT
Train delayed at Milton Keynes!
Having not beaten Essex since 2007-08 the Middlesex sea-axes were looking decidedly blunt! Middlesex were aiming to sharpen them in the match of the u180 section. Due to the importance of the game, namely, winner likely to be crowned SCCU champions, desire to avenge two seasons of tame capitulation and the fact it’s just Essex, all the stops were pulled out to ensure that not only the strongest team were fielded but a number of substitutes were available at the game in case of emergencies. Hooray for paranoia as on the morning two players pulled out.
Despite the initial setback it didn’t unduly affect the balance of the team since the team average was 168, the strongest we have been for some time since the Grading Change. The relative strengths of the team for once favoured Middlesex but both sides would have graced a final since they both topped 165. However, in spite all of the meticulous planning the hoodoo the current Essex captain has over Mx continues - P3 L3!
The match started badly with Middlesex falling 2points behind after two losses in the first four games. Yes you guessed it your captain played yet another bad innings! What is it they say in cricket? If you can get at the captain it can set the tone for the rest of the inning! However Middlesex have shown fighting mettle in the past and after two further draws the fight-back seemed to have started with Andy’s terrific win against that Essex stalwart, Syd Kalinsky. Mx trail 3-4.
Essex though is known to be redoubtable and hit back immediately with another win. Mx trail 3-5.
This set the trend for the rest of the match with Mx pulling 1 back and looking like drawing level, but Essex able to find something to maintain their lead. Ti records a win so Mx trail 5-6 but Maria making her debut loses on time in a difficult position, Mx trail 5-7.
With four games left, it was still a close call but Mx were looking good in all of them. Was it possible that Mx would not only level the match score but actually attain what at one stage seemed to be an unlikely, victory? However in the words of Machiavelli, ‘Fortuna is a wh0re!’ Disaster strikes. Nevil after looking comfortable throughout his game makes a strategic error and yields a draw. Post-match analysis proves 22. Qg6 wins out of hand. Mx trail 5.5-7.5. Victory is now a distant possibility as Mike B, Richard and Dave all have to win. As an aside, Dave had earlier asked for the match score and with Mx trailing by two he had a feeling that the final result could be down to his game. Duly he turned down any draw offers and eked out an advantage. Richard was facing another notable Essex stalwart Neville Twitchell and was in the process of launching a ferocious attack.
Mike inexorably brings home the point displaying fine endgame technique. [N.B.: Mike would be good if I could get a score of the game in order to publish]. Mx trail 6.5-7.5. Could Richard and Dave make it a hat-trick of wins? No, Richard and Dave go the way of Nevil in that after achieving advantages both are unable to convert them due to dogged resistance of their opponents. They both agree draws despite their best efforts, Mx lose 7.5-8.5.
[N.B.: In the event either had won and the score was 8-8 Essex would still claim a victory as they could say they won on board count!]
Tough luck guys!
Some would say this was a match of lost opportunities, however I would prefer to see it as, ‘Opportunities are never lost; someone will take the one you miss.’ Essex certainly took theirs and with it can thank their lucky stars!
Full match details:
www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/match2.htm
There were a number of cracking matches, the pick being:
tinyurl.com/Kalinsky-Hayer
tinyurl.com/Thursby-Twitchell
tinyurl.com/McCall-Phillips
tinyurl.com/Hampton-Campbell
tinyurl.com/Chan-Hunnable
tinyurl.com/Chen-Barclay
tinyurl.com/Kreuzer-Doye
So Mx lose a close encounter and with it their unbeaten record. This now means unless something remarkable happens in Essex’s last two matches Mx are unlikely to win the Montague Jones trophy. However with Surrey defeating Sussex in the other game of the day, there is some good news on a disappointing day. The 3rd round of results now means that Mx can finish no lower than 3rd thereby guaranteeing qualification to the ECF Stages. Let’s hope that once we enter the ECF Stage the train will take us all the way to Leicester not just Milton Keynes!
Table after Round 3:
Essex 2/2
Mx 2/3
Kent 1/2
Surrey 1/3
Sussex 0/2
[Middlesex can finish no lower than 3rd due to superior record against Surrey and Sussex]
The last match of the SCCU campaign is away to Kent on 29th January 2011. Victory there will guarantee runner-up spot and an outside chance of the title. Will just have to hope other results go our way.
Before signing off I just want to raise an interesting point about my individual results. I have noted that your captain has an appalling record at home venues other than the Exmouth Arms. This is due to all of the angst surrounding the match at the new venue, namely, Will the venue be available, i.e., can we gain access? How suitable is it for a County match, e.g., refreshments, bar!, location, etc? [Let’s face it the venue for the Essex match was less than ideal due to being cramped and extortionate parking rates!] Transporting equipment and all of this on top of the match day issues! In this context, why would anyone want to be a captain, it’s not surprising my results are diabolical! Therefore I was thinking, are there any venues out there that we could use that ticks a number of boxes, including, central for all Middlesex players, refreshments (food and drink), decent transport, storing equipment, off-street parking, reasonable rates, space, etc. If anyone has any ideas let me know and I’ll look into it, if only to ensure that I can finally pull my weight for the team over the board!