Post by arf on Feb 10, 2013 8:37:03 GMT
National Stage here we come!
The match that would decide the fate of the u180 team was here – Surrey vs. Middlesex. Subject to result of Essex vs. Kent victory should see Middlesex secure a QF berth at National Stages, thereby avoiding the dreaded Preliminary match; it would also maintain prospects of retaining SCCU title; non-victory not disastrous either but increased chances of playing Preliminary and just being relieved at qualifying to try and defend National title. Happily victory achieved and in conjunction with Kent’s win sees Middlesex head in to the QF just waiting for confirmation of position S1 or S2.
Bearing in mind that in the main matches between these teams under my tenure have been close (4x8.5-7.5; 6x9-7) another one was to be expected so it was imperative Middlesex was as close to their strongest as possible. It will be admitted that there was difficulty in getting team together which was compounded when, on the eve off the match, two players had to pull out due to illness. Desperate emails ensured that the default was avoided as Simon Wilks and Peter Hawran answered the plea and Leon who had worked over night could be used as travelling substitute instead of playing in team as intended. Although not as strong as desired the team had a healthy 165 average as compared to Surrey’s 167. Based on team averages par score Surrey wins 8.5-7.5 so one could say with certainty that another match would go to the wire and it did.
The import of the match for both sides must have been tangible as it got off to a slow start with consecutive draws attained by John W, Ian and Anthony. Score: 1.5-1.5.
In any kind of sporting contest the ability of one side to get an early lead is welcomed as it means that in order to avoid defeat the other side has to chase the game. In doing so spice is added to contest especially when there is so much riding on its’ result. Middlesex do just that as Guy, who has never been beaten for the u180, continues his fantastic form by registering the first of four Middlesex wins. The match is afoot as having lost to Essex at home Surrey do not want to lose a successive match and with it see their prospects of making it to the National Stage recede. Score: Mx leads 2.5-1.5
However the lead is short lived as John T succumbs and with another 2 draws (Geoff and Michael P) score is tied – 3.5-3.5. The tenor of the match is set. One side getting a lead the other pegging it back neither getting a large enough lead to be able to relax.
Success again for Middlesex as Michael T scores a great win. A speculative sacrifice coupled with some second best moves by his opponent leads to an overwhelming attack. Mike admits that had his opponent played his 29th move he would have lost on time as he was playing to a time control of 30moves instead of the allocated 35! Maybe fortune was looking kindly on the team. Score: Mx leads 4.5-3.5.
Match is at halfway point and Middlesex have edged into the lead. The position of the remaining games is looking good, George playing carefully to maintain draw; Chris about to break through in the centre to create huge passed pawn on d3 supported by best piece on the board his Knight; David pawn up and looking to convert; debutant Simon although in time trouble is generating a king-side attack which should be sufficient to see him get material or positional advantage so long as he makes his 35th move; Bill’s bishop and rook pairs carving up the board; no-one having a clue what’s happening with Bob’s game where all 3 results are possible; Jon involved in game where attacks have been launched against kings who have castled on opposite sides of the board and Peter heading to a Queen and Minor pieces endgame. All in all Middlesex look as though they will win game by healthy margin thereby overturning the expected result on paper of win to Surrey.
In my time as captain I am conscious that Surrey has a redoubtable streak and never knows when they are beaten. I have lost count of the number of times they have been able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and the results of the next four games show why you underestimate them at your peril! George duly gets the draw his accurate defence turns the tide and his opponent’s faint hopes of trying to win evaporate to nothing. Then disaster Peter who seemingly had everything under control has made a positional error which leads to him losing a piece. Despite some rearguard action Peter eventually resigns. Bob’s unfathomable game ends as a gentlemanly draw as neither player having been involved in a cracking game want to claim a win on time. Jon who was focussed on his attack overlooks a tactic and gives up an exchange. Accurate play from his opponent neutralises Jon’s attack and allows him to generate his own attack. In searching for ‘cheapos,’ Jon hangs on for as long as possible but the inevitable defeat finally comes and with it for the first and only time in the match Middlesex trail. Running scores: 5-4; 5-5; 5.5-5.5; 5.5-6.5.
Although trailing with quarter of match to go things are still looking good as all the remaining games are at least equal or better. Chris, Simon and Bill’s games are clearly won and David has safe draw! Bill duly gets the win levelling the score once again. A positional oversight by Simon allows his opponent to sneak the draw and David also accedes to the wisdom of the Rook adage, ALL Rook endgames are drawn. Running scores: 6.5-6.5; 7-7; 7.5-7.5.
So with the score level it falls to Chris to secure the win which will give Middlesex victory. Chris has been able to secure the passed d-pawn but in doing so has swapped off his excellent Knight and allowed his opponent to generate counter-play with a passed pawn of his own. If not careful the passed g-pawn could also create a few problems. It is a difficult position to play and accurate defence is required. A feature of Chris to be admired is his coolness under pressure as demonstrated by his play in the 2011-12 u180 final. He sets up the correct defensive formation and then launches his queenside pawns the intention being take advantage of the 3 on 2 and create a second passed pawn. Faced with the prospects of no counter-play, a decisive plan being executed and also chronically short of time, Chris’s opponent resigns. Victory is his; Victory is Middlesex’s. Middlesex win a close match 8.5-7.5.
Well done guys!
Full match details here:
www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/match2.htm
The other match of the round was Essex vs. Kent. On getting home and logging onto to email account your author found an email from the Kent Captain sent to interested parties advising of their victory over Essex. In your author’s opinion the bragging rights he prematurely assumed at the beginning of the Cycle continues unabashed. It will be interesting to see if he does the same after the Surrey match. However with each passing match it seems as though he can brag as his wish of Kent winning title may well be coming true!
Table after Round 4:
1. Kent 2.5/3 (26)
2. Middlesex 2/3 (26)
3. Essex 2/4 (33)
4. Surrey 1/3 (26.5)
5. Sussex 0.5/3 (16.5)
[Note: Middlesex’s victory over Essex means they have superior record; Teams in BOLD expected to be SCCU nominees to National Stage with Essex S3 – see below].
It was aforementioned Match Day 4 is to be seen as pivotal since the outcome of results would determine which teams would be eliminated and which were jockeying for position. So it proved to be. No team fancies playing in the Preliminary Round of the National Stage unless they are relieved at making it through. Thus the only result that would see Middlesex potentially having to play in it was a Essex win combined with non-victory for Middlesex. With Essex defeated and Middlesex winning if calculations are correct the results mean that Middlesex and Kent are assured of qualification to QF of National Stage. The final question of the cycle is, who will be S1 and S2 and with it SCCU Champions? Kent win u180 title if defeat Surrey irrespective of Middlesex’s match. Surrey victory means that Kent will have to rely on Sussex defeating Middlesex in order to claim title. A Surrey victory combined with a Middlesex win means Middlesex retains u180 title. Calculations also show that due to Essex's victory of Surrey they are assured to be S3 irrespective of Surrey-Kent match due to superior match record – Essex defeated Surrey.
Fixtures Round 5 2/3/2013: Kent vs. Surrey; Middlesex vs. Sussex
So we look forward to the final round of matches. With Sussex eliminated and having defaulted four boards in their last away match to Kent it can be presumed that Middlesex should secure the point. However it goes without saying complacency has to be avoided; let’s assume Sussex will field a strong XVI if only to fight on for pride. The intriguing match of the round though is the Kent vs. Surrey match. It is hoped that although they have nothing to play for Surrey will still field a strong line-up. There is an additional factor to consider that may affect the outcome of their match. It is the fact that the cancelled Open match between the same teams – cancelled on 19/1/13 due to snow – is also to be played on the 2nd March. Since this is so it will be a case of which team is able to resist calling upon the u180 to make up XVI. To date Kent have used on average 6xu180 and that includes your home match against Middlesex; Surrey have also used on average 6xu180 where they used 8 when travelling to Herts. The respective strengths of Open teams will have a significant bearing on Kent’s prospects of winning title! It transpires the Open match could inadvertently determine the destination of the u180 title and a strong Surrey side at both Open and u180 will go along way to helping Middlesex retain u180 title!
Next match: 2nd March 2013 Middlesex vs. Sussex (H) Venue: The Pilot Public House
Please note that the Open team also play on the 2nd March – their cancelled game from 19/1/2013 against Essex. The u180 have priority use of The Pilot as it was reserved in first instance for their match.
Go on the Middlesex!