It’s time for my monthly report again as February finished just yesterday. As usual I will report on the League first and then the Internal Competitions. Despite it being the shortest month of the year we managed to play 23 matches in the NSDCA, winning a superb 15 out of 21 external matches with 2 draws and just 4 defeats. Two derbies also took place, with the G team beating the H team in div 3 and F beating D to go into pole position in div 2.
We’ve recently had two heavenly reports from captains of our A & G teams, but there is so much more to sing about as our D team now lead div 2 (temporarily), and the Incredibles (I team) lead div 4.
It seems there is no stopping Alsager “A” running away with the division 1 title. All of the potential challengers have beaten up each other to leave Alsager almost home and dry. So far Alsager have only dropped one point against our “A” team, while all others have dropped at least 7 pts. With 4 of Alsager’s last 5 matches against Crewe teams, we will have to see if we can possibly derail their title aspirations. Hopefully all of our three teams can avoid relegation, with the C team in greatest danger but should be good enough to stay ahead of the league’s new arrivals – Northwich.
Division 2 currently shows Crewe D at the top, but our F team are probably favourites following their recent crucial “derby success” against the D team. On a run of 5 successive wins the F team have two games in hand on the league leaders and trail by just one point. This division is so competitive that even 6th placed Cheddleton “A” (7 pts adrift, 3 games in hand) could win promotion if other results went in their favour and they won all remaining games. Stafford also have two games in hand on the leaders trailing by two points and with matches to play against the top two have it in their own hands as well. Crewe “E” sit comfortably in midtable and potentially have the easiest run in with four games to play against the bottom three.
Division 3, shows the G team gloriously in pole position for now under the enthusiastic leadership of Super Mario. Recently they extinguished the only 100% record accross all five divisions when beating then league leaders Holmes Chapel “B” with an excellent performance. However as Mario reported it is only a temporary state of affairs as the lead is only one point and Holmes Chapel have three games in hand. That surprise result has opened the door to a challenge from Cheddleton B, with these two to play each other twice yet. Our other team in div 3, Crewe H face a relegation battle which is unsurprising following last season’s promotion from div 4. A run of two wins from three games since the turn of the year has given the team hope of survival. Now with 5 pts from 9 matches, they face a tough run in, but have two matches to play against Alsager D who also have 5 from 9. Kidsgrove “A” will be watching nervously with 6 pts from 10 as these three battle it out to avoid relegation.
Looking at division 4, The Incredibles (I team) have performed heroics to give themselves an outstanding chance to win an unlikely promotion. Led from the front by skipper Steve Ballantyne the team continues to punch above its weight. With two matches remaining it is now a two horse race between Crewe I and Cheddleton C, with our Incredibles one point ahead. Both teams have played 10 matches and have it in their own hands to secure the Div 4 trophy with the potential title decider on Friday 20th March at Cheddleton. This week Chedd C play Gables B and will leapfrog the I team with any win, but a draw leaves Crewe I ahead on matches won !! Meanwhile the draw specialists (J team) netted a further 3 pts from 3 matches in Feb, suffering their first defeat of the season at Kidsgrove (B), before winning at the 10th attempt. Normal service was resumed in match 11 with their 9th draw of the season and they conclude the season at home on 10th March facing a rejuvenated Fenton team strengthened by the return of Steve Hill (rated 1798 !!).
Our two teams in Div 5 (K&L) have performed extremely well when you consider these are Crewe’s 11th and 12th teams, playing against other clubs much higher teams such as Meir’s 1st team, Chedd’s 4th, Holmes Chapel’s 3rd, and Gables 3rd and 4th. Our two teams are near the foot of the league, but the priority is simply to give league chess opportunity to as many members as possible. The L team comprises entirely juniors with an average age under 12 as previously reported.
We pride ourselves on the fact that we have had 72 members playing in the NSDCA so far this season which can only help promote the wonderful game in the North Staffordshire region.