Post by arf on Jan 31, 2016 6:29:04 GMT
Sussex Success!
Match Summary:
Middlesex break their duck and finally achieve success in Sussex winning 9-7. The win sees them secure 2nd spot in SCCU, qualification to Open Section at the National Stage and as the provisional Stage Draw stands a quarter-final tie against the 2nd placed NCCU County, in all likelihood Lancashire.
Since their return matches at Sussex have proved problematic for Middlesex in that with the exception of their must win victory in 2007-08 they have travelled to Hassocks 3 times since and have come back with their tails between their legs on each occasion. This is because when Sussex are at home they are a completely different proposition to the Sussex who travel, namely that they are always significantly stronger at home, belying their ‘Minor County’ tag. This coupled with the fact that Middlesex, as do many others, finds the trip to Hassocks problematic; Middlesex tend to field teams averaging around 190 thereby belying their true strength. Thus matches, on paper at least, are destined to be close hence Sussex getting the better of Middlesex.
Notwithstanding tradition, it was hoped that this cycle the result would be different – Middlesex would avoid defeat that would see them cement 2nd place, collect the Stevenson Trophy for finishing runner-up to Surrey and guarantee their place in the Open of the National Stage. At time of writing the provisional Stage Draw has been done. As it stands a 2nd place finish would all but guarantee a place in the final as SCCU2 are earmarked to play NCCU2 in quarter-final followed by MCCU1 in semi-final, but more of that in due course. Surprisingly, Sussex were slightly weaker than expected, but with only four points between the averages of the team another tight match was likely: Sussex Average – 184, Middlesex Average 188, Par Score – Middlesex win 8.5-7.5.
The match got off to a slow burner with 5 draws in quick succession but disaster strikes as Sussex score 2 consecutive victories to leave Middlesex trailing and a battle on their hands to overturn the deficit if they wished to end their Hassocks hoodoo! Mx trail 2.5-4.5
Middlesex halve the deficit when Bob scores an unlikely win. His QB was effectively a passenger and he was slowly but surely being ground to death. However Lady Luck smiles upon him as his opponent overestimates his position or more importantly underestimates the strength of Bob’s pawn move (d4-d5) which opens up the long diagonal and the bishop which until that had looked on forlornly now carved up the position and soon after Bob’s opponent capitulated as he was either being mated or losing significant material. Sussex’s 2pt lead however is soon restored and once again Middlesex are asked to roll up their sleeves. Mx trail 3.5-5.5.
The 2nd Middlesex defeat was to be their last until the final game of the match. Middlesex win 5 of the next 6 games to firstly reduce the deficit (4.5-5.5); level the score (5.5-5.5); take the lead (6.5-5.5); ensure they cannot be defeated (8-6) and then cross the winning line (9-6). The fightback began with the return of Daniel. It has been sometime since he represented the team but he scored a fantastic win on it. He carefully crafted a position which threatened to trap his opponents queen; in order to avoid it a series of exchanges ensured which saw Daniel emerge a piece up. Assured play ensured he converted. Mx trail 4.5-5.5.
Having played for the u180 in the 2014-15 semi-finals encounter against Warwickshire, Maria made her Open debut. It proved to a successful one too as it saw her secure Middlesex’s 3rd win of the day and with it level the match. A cagey opening eventually saw her win a pawn. Protracted positional play followed which saw her stifle her opponent’s opportunities which lead to her winning a second pawn. With the writing apparently on the wall her opponent’s desperate lunge to open the position to generate counterplay however any hopes of gaining anything was proved unfounded and the game duly converted. Score tied 5.5-5.5.
Middlesex get their noses in front for the first time after Jochem’s victory. His kingside attack was slowed down by his opponent but determined play saw it reinvigorated and a mating attack ensued. Having one an exchange it looked as though Etan was going to follow up his win against Essex. However some resolute play by his young opponent meant that both felt the draw was the right result. The draw means that Middlesex are on the verge of achieving their first goal – to avoid defeat to secure 2nd place. Although drawn match good, nevertheless, Middlesex always want victory! Mx leads 7-6.
3 matches left and things look good for Middlesex. Richard embroiled in a tactical game which sees him emerge with material lead but he must still play with caution as any miscalculation could see his opponent queen his a-pawn; Nev has overwhelming position and is looking to capitalise on it and Will, making his Open debut also, playing out a R+4P endgame, he has at least the draw the question is whether he can extract more from the position. Richard does indeed close out his game thus Middlesex can not lose and Will does extract more from his position and by winning not only sees Middlesex over the winning line but also sees them break their Hassocks hoodoo. With victory secured Nev’s game becomes academic. Mx wins 9-7. Well done guys!
The other match of the day saw Essex travel to Kent. In the event Middlesex slipped up against Sussex they had to hope that Essex got a result so that Middlesex could be assured of 3rd. Victories for both Kent and Sussex would increase the prospects of a 3-way tie between them and Middlesex which would mean game points would come into play. Lucky that Middlesex had controlled own destiny as Essex were comprehensively beaten 10-6 in Dartford. Kent and Sussex now play off for the final SCCU spot with Essex consigned to the Minor Competition, which to be fair is a competition they do well in.
Martin Blaine Best Performance Cup
Each year MCCA awards the Martin Blaine Individual Trophy to the best performing Open team player – a cash award is also received. After 3 matches the leader-board is:
1st S. Coles 22pts
2nd S. Spivack 21pts
3rd E. Ilfield 20pts
Next Match
21st May 2016: National Stage Open quarter-final vs. NCCU2 (probably Lancashire)
Middlesex’s SCCU campaign now comes to an end and are guaranteed to finish 2nd. This sees Middlesex qualify for the Open Competition of the National Stage. The National Stage has been fortuitous to Middlesex with the team reaching at least the semi-final and in the recent past both compete in final and lift Lowenthäl Trophy.
With Middlesex once again gracing the National Stages expectation is high that this will be the year that they lift the Lowenthäl for a record 30th time and in the process put a stop to Yorkshire’s desires of attaining a hat-trick. If Yorkshire were to overcome the SCCU challenge they would join an elite group containing Middlesex (3 – a hat-trick of hat-tricks!); Lancashire (1); Cambridgeshire (1) and Kent (1) who have all achieved this remarkable feat. Of course Middlesex as you would suspect has been the most prolific so it is almost beholden on them to disabuse them of this view! Wouldn’t it be fantastic if the final saw Middlesex play Yorkshire as that way it would see one or other achieve a remarkable feat?
This cycle prospects of reaching a 4th final in 5years look good. A provisional Stage Draw has been done and as it stands Middlesex’s 2nd place finish all but guarantees them a place in the final. Yes it is unwise to count chickens but NCCU2 in quarter-final followed by MCCU1 in semi-final should hold no fears. What is also good about the draw is that the challenges posed by either Surrey or Yorkshire are faced in the final; what a terrific end to the competition Middlesex against a traditional SCCU rival or the emerging powerhouse of the NCCU. Here’s hoping! Anyway all of this academic as draw will not be finalised until March, once done thoughts can properly turn to that Stage.
Go on the Middlesex!
Notwithstanding tradition, it was hoped that this cycle the result would be different – Middlesex would avoid defeat that would see them cement 2nd place, collect the Stevenson Trophy for finishing runner-up to Surrey and guarantee their place in the Open of the National Stage. At time of writing the provisional Stage Draw has been done. As it stands a 2nd place finish would all but guarantee a place in the final as SCCU2 are earmarked to play NCCU2 in quarter-final followed by MCCU1 in semi-final, but more of that in due course. Surprisingly, Sussex were slightly weaker than expected, but with only four points between the averages of the team another tight match was likely: Sussex Average – 184, Middlesex Average 188, Par Score – Middlesex win 8.5-7.5.
The match got off to a slow burner with 5 draws in quick succession but disaster strikes as Sussex score 2 consecutive victories to leave Middlesex trailing and a battle on their hands to overturn the deficit if they wished to end their Hassocks hoodoo! Mx trail 2.5-4.5
Middlesex halve the deficit when Bob scores an unlikely win. His QB was effectively a passenger and he was slowly but surely being ground to death. However Lady Luck smiles upon him as his opponent overestimates his position or more importantly underestimates the strength of Bob’s pawn move (d4-d5) which opens up the long diagonal and the bishop which until that had looked on forlornly now carved up the position and soon after Bob’s opponent capitulated as he was either being mated or losing significant material. Sussex’s 2pt lead however is soon restored and once again Middlesex are asked to roll up their sleeves. Mx trail 3.5-5.5.
The 2nd Middlesex defeat was to be their last until the final game of the match. Middlesex win 5 of the next 6 games to firstly reduce the deficit (4.5-5.5); level the score (5.5-5.5); take the lead (6.5-5.5); ensure they cannot be defeated (8-6) and then cross the winning line (9-6). The fightback began with the return of Daniel. It has been sometime since he represented the team but he scored a fantastic win on it. He carefully crafted a position which threatened to trap his opponents queen; in order to avoid it a series of exchanges ensured which saw Daniel emerge a piece up. Assured play ensured he converted. Mx trail 4.5-5.5.
Having played for the u180 in the 2014-15 semi-finals encounter against Warwickshire, Maria made her Open debut. It proved to a successful one too as it saw her secure Middlesex’s 3rd win of the day and with it level the match. A cagey opening eventually saw her win a pawn. Protracted positional play followed which saw her stifle her opponent’s opportunities which lead to her winning a second pawn. With the writing apparently on the wall her opponent’s desperate lunge to open the position to generate counterplay however any hopes of gaining anything was proved unfounded and the game duly converted. Score tied 5.5-5.5.
Middlesex get their noses in front for the first time after Jochem’s victory. His kingside attack was slowed down by his opponent but determined play saw it reinvigorated and a mating attack ensued. Having one an exchange it looked as though Etan was going to follow up his win against Essex. However some resolute play by his young opponent meant that both felt the draw was the right result. The draw means that Middlesex are on the verge of achieving their first goal – to avoid defeat to secure 2nd place. Although drawn match good, nevertheless, Middlesex always want victory! Mx leads 7-6.
3 matches left and things look good for Middlesex. Richard embroiled in a tactical game which sees him emerge with material lead but he must still play with caution as any miscalculation could see his opponent queen his a-pawn; Nev has overwhelming position and is looking to capitalise on it and Will, making his Open debut also, playing out a R+4P endgame, he has at least the draw the question is whether he can extract more from the position. Richard does indeed close out his game thus Middlesex can not lose and Will does extract more from his position and by winning not only sees Middlesex over the winning line but also sees them break their Hassocks hoodoo. With victory secured Nev’s game becomes academic. Mx wins 9-7. Well done guys!
The other match of the day saw Essex travel to Kent. In the event Middlesex slipped up against Sussex they had to hope that Essex got a result so that Middlesex could be assured of 3rd. Victories for both Kent and Sussex would increase the prospects of a 3-way tie between them and Middlesex which would mean game points would come into play. Lucky that Middlesex had controlled own destiny as Essex were comprehensively beaten 10-6 in Dartford. Kent and Sussex now play off for the final SCCU spot with Essex consigned to the Minor Competition, which to be fair is a competition they do well in.
Martin Blaine Best Performance Cup
Each year MCCA awards the Martin Blaine Individual Trophy to the best performing Open team player – a cash award is also received. After 3 matches the leader-board is:
1st S. Coles 22pts
2nd S. Spivack 21pts
3rd E. Ilfield 20pts
Next Match
21st May 2016: National Stage Open quarter-final vs. NCCU2 (probably Lancashire)
Middlesex’s SCCU campaign now comes to an end and are guaranteed to finish 2nd. This sees Middlesex qualify for the Open Competition of the National Stage. The National Stage has been fortuitous to Middlesex with the team reaching at least the semi-final and in the recent past both compete in final and lift Lowenthäl Trophy.
With Middlesex once again gracing the National Stages expectation is high that this will be the year that they lift the Lowenthäl for a record 30th time and in the process put a stop to Yorkshire’s desires of attaining a hat-trick. If Yorkshire were to overcome the SCCU challenge they would join an elite group containing Middlesex (3 – a hat-trick of hat-tricks!); Lancashire (1); Cambridgeshire (1) and Kent (1) who have all achieved this remarkable feat. Of course Middlesex as you would suspect has been the most prolific so it is almost beholden on them to disabuse them of this view! Wouldn’t it be fantastic if the final saw Middlesex play Yorkshire as that way it would see one or other achieve a remarkable feat?
This cycle prospects of reaching a 4th final in 5years look good. A provisional Stage Draw has been done and as it stands Middlesex’s 2nd place finish all but guarantees them a place in the final. Yes it is unwise to count chickens but NCCU2 in quarter-final followed by MCCU1 in semi-final should hold no fears. What is also good about the draw is that the challenges posed by either Surrey or Yorkshire are faced in the final; what a terrific end to the competition Middlesex against a traditional SCCU rival or the emerging powerhouse of the NCCU. Here’s hoping! Anyway all of this academic as draw will not be finalised until March, once done thoughts can properly turn to that Stage.
Go on the Middlesex!