Post by arf on Jan 30, 2011 7:11:50 GMT
ECF Qualification finalised
The final game of the SCCU cycle went more with a whimper than a bang with Mx going down 6.5-9.5. Unlucky guys
Despite this as previous post stated the result only affected the final placings of qualification to the ECF Stage. Victory over Kent would have seen Mx finish runner-up with an outside chance of lifting title. Defeat though sees Mx finishing 3rd and having the 'honour' of playing the Preliminary Match to assure qualification to the ECF Stage proper.
Before reflecting on the ECF draw a few comments on the match. It started off with a few draws before Kent drew Mx's teeth. Two successive wins see Kent establish a 3.5-1.5 lead which they never relinquished. A real momentum shifter was the Kuilman-Murphy match where a check of the rules determined that Thomas lost on time whilst in the process of completing his 35th move. It was a tough loss to take especially since Thomas had obtained a winning position and the additional time would have seen him collect the full point on his debut for the u180. Hard luck Thomas as a win for you would have put a different complexion on the match, i.e., could Charlie have found a line to take advantage of opponents time trouble? Could Mike have tried to nurse his positional advantage? And so on. The defeat gave Kent a virtually unassailable 4point lead.
One thing the issue raised was when will the use DGT's be the norm? Thomas's flag could well have fallen due to a knock of the table; pressing his clock to hard, etc but he still could have sufficient time to hold the flag up! Surely it must be time for DGT's (whether Fischer Timing or not) to be standard equipment. However on a positive note Jon Kay played what must be one the match of his life to turn around his game. Game details to come.
Full match details - www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/match2.htm
The other match of the 4th Round sees Essex unsurprisingly polish off Sussex 11-5.
With one round of matches left to play the final table is:
Table after Round 4
Champions Essex 3/3
Runner-up Kent 2/3
ECF qualifier Mx 2/4
4th Surrey 1/3
Wooden Spoon Sussex 0/3
[Notes: The table is final since -
In the event of loss to Surrey and Kent win Essex will finish top due to their superior record over Kent;
In the event of loss to Sussex Kent will finish 2nd due to their superior record over Mx;
In the event Surrey defeat Essex and finish level with Mx, Mx finish 3rd due to superior record over Surrey; and
In the event loss to Essex and Sussex win over Kent Surrey will finish 4th due to superior record over Sussex.]
Notwithstanding the defeat and Mx's 3rd place finish, Mx are still in it so still have a chance to win it!
ECF Stage draw U180
Preliminary Mx v M2
Quarter-finals (A) E v N1; (D) W v winner of Prelim; (B) S1 v N2; (C) M1 v S2;
Semi-finals A v D; B v C
The ECF Stage draw is an interesting one as if Mx had defeated Kent and with Essex assured of a top two finish, it would have meant that the two were on course to meet in the semi-final. This would have been a repeat of Mx's Championship winning year in 2006-07. As it is an Essex-Mx final could be a mouthwatering prospect! As is a Kent-Mx final. In finishing 3rd it could be now argued that Mx have an easier route to the final since possible opponents are:
Preliminary: MCCU2 (Notts or Warwicks) Expectation is Notts MCCU qualification match to be played 26/2/11
Q-F: WECU always represented by Devon
S-F: NCCU1 Yorkshire and Lancs are traditionally the NCCU reps with Yorks having the edge over Lancs. A Mx-Yorks S-F will be a repeat of the 2009 s-f when we went so close but eventually lost 8.5-7.5. A draw would have seen Mx through to the final on board count.
Of course the above is speculative as the ECF Stage will be finalised in March, so watch this space!
Go on the Mx!!