Post by arf on May 19, 2013 7:02:08 GMT
“Oft expectation fails, and most oft where most it promises; and oft it hits where hope is coldest and despair most sits” – Shakespeare
With Middlesex playing Warwickshire it is apropos to make reference to one of their greatest residents – William Shakespeare. The quote given, from All’s Well that Ends Well, is apt as both sides go into the match with an expectation of a Middlesex win and with it a place in the SF and a Warwickshire loss so their team predominantly made up of their u180 squad could focus on a successful u180 campaign – alas not be as in bringing forward their game against Lancashire they succumb 6-10 so it could be argued that Warwickshire had nothing to play for and this could affect the make-up of their team. Thus Middlesex have nothing to gain if win and Warwickshire lose nothing in defeat. With this in mind Middlesex had to guard against complacency since in being overwhelming favourites and a win expected the question is whether they could make it a reality or could Warwickshire with nothing but pride to play for upset the odds and do the unthinkable? History shows that Middlesex have been turned over despite being overwhelming favourites and on this occasion would want to avoid a repeat of this embarrassing feat.
An air of despondency must have settled over Warwickshire as there was a bit of kerfuffle prior to the match, Warwickshire were struggling to get a team together consequently a request is made that the match be played over 12 boards instead of 16. Since your author was struggling to get an u180 team together a part of him sympathised with the plight of his Open counterpart; however the considerations of competition took over. For example, since Middlesex had gotten a team of XVI together why should Warwickshire forego the defaults? Surely agreeing to 12boards would in theory if not practice benefit Warwickshire as they were not starting 0-4 down? For example, a 10-6 win now becomes a 6-6 draw and instead of winning Middlesex could be eliminated on Board Count! Equally what ramifications would there be for Middlesex in agreeing to a reduction? Would Middlesex incur a financial penalty if through no fault of their own they agree to play over 12 boards instead of the requisite 16? In all probability, Yes! It would be embarrassing if Middlesex in insisting match played over 16boards as per rules Warwickshire (in spite?) decide to scratch game as it would be a third match scratched at QF stage. Further what a waste of time! The effort in getting team together, the cancelled plans by individuals to ensure they could play and so it goes on. If it were to happen it would be the 3rd time in my tenure that Middlesex benefitted from a scratch (Open 2007-08 QF vs. Greater Manchester and Minor 2009-10 vs. Hampshire) Luckily Warwickshire is able to get a team together so the request became academic. Phew!
Anyway as your author was on duty with the u180 it will be left to captain on the day Nevil to provide a fuller match report. Suffice to say he may spare Warwickshire’s blushes as Middlesex were professional and recorded a whopping 14-2 win which is either the 3rd or 5th largest margin of victory. For the record the largest margin of victory attained by the 1st/Open team at the National Stage was 15-1 against East Glamorgan at the SF stage in the 1955-56 cycle of the County Championship; the other results for consideration are Middlesex’s defeat of Staffordshire 1912-13 F 10.5-1.5 along with Middlesex’s QF defeats of East Glamorgan: 1962-63 11.5-0.5 and 1963-64 11-1. Either way the team just fall short of either equalling or setting a new record. Although victory was expected the margin of it was somewhat surprising. If I were a musical man the title of a well known Madness song could well be appropriate, Embarrassment. However to be fair to Warwickshire they acknowledged they were having difficulty getting a team together and they preferred to get a team out no matter how weak rather than scratch and incur a financial penalty.
At time of writing the result of the other fixture in Middlesex’s half of the draw – Staffordshire vs. Kent – is unknown. A rematch with Staffordshire would be welcomed as we play Kent on regular basis anyway.
The fixtures in the other half of the draw are Somerset vs. Lancashire and Yorkshire vs. Surrey. As to be expected Lancashire did not want to suffer a similar fate as their Roses counterpart by falling to Somerset at the QF stage. Lancashire score a resounding 11.5-4.5 victory. Lancashire clearly means business as they have been pricked into action as a result of Middlesex extending the number of total National Titles won. A much wanted Lancashire vs. Middlesex final is definitely on however they will need to negotiate tough SF against the as yet unknown winner of the Yorkshire vs. Surrey clash.
Results here: www.englishchess.org.uk/county-champs-final-stage-results-20122013/
So we wait with bated breath to see who our SF opponents are.
Next Fixture details
Match – ECF SF vs. (Kent or Staffordshire)
Date – 8th June 2013
Venue – tbc
Start Time – tbc
Time Control – 40moves in 2h + 30mins QPF
Middlesex march menacingly on!
Go on the Middlesex!