A quiet week for the club has just seen two matches played. The “A” team were hosting Cheddleton D in division 2, while our “Perry A” team were trying to defend the Under 11o Cup, in the first semi-final against Newcastle.
The Perry team suffered a knock-out blow, going down 4-0 against a strong Newcastle team. Outgraded by 130 pts, Newcastle were just too strong with an average grade of 99 compared to our 65 average, it was no disgrace the team came home empty handed. Our “Perry B” team face an equally tough semi-final away to Cheddleton in due course. Congratulations to Newcastle on reaching the final.
The other match saw our “A” team scrape a 3-2 win. Two early (grand-master ?) draws were taken by David Hulme and Neville Layhe, before Rick Renegade converted his one pawn advantage into a clear win on bd 4, and Cheddleton’s junior star Jacob Boswell outgunned us on bd 1 to level the score at 2-2. Both captains were happily encouraging their player to take a draw, but despite offers being made by Crewe’s junior Amy Lovatt the draw was declined. No doubt the Cheddleton player was regretting their choice to play on as Amy broke through decisively on the King-side to set up a match winning attack and carry the team over the line. Amy’s record is a most impressive 19 wins from 21 games, and no draws, since (the South Cheshire Shield started on) 12th July. This win took the “A” team one place up the table to 3rd, just ahead of Macclesfield on board points, but still well adrift of the leading teams (Fenton A and Chedd B). The “A” team are back in action on Wednesday against Newcastle B.