A surprisingly good turnout saw 25 members at the Mals on Wednesday (17th). While most were playing social games, Jakub Grabowski was keen to get some serious match time and won one of our rare graded summer games. Meanwhile the first two knockout quarter-finals were played with both favourites gaining success. Harry Gardiner escaped from a losing position having initially been outplayed by underdog James Marshall, before James overlooked the loss of a piece. In the other QF Karl Lockett always held the upper hand over secretary David Hulme, with superior early development holding control over the game. These two winners play each other in one of the semi-finals, while the other QFs should be played next week.
Next Wednesday sees our club hosting an 8 board challenge against Wallasey from the Wirral and Merseyside Leagues. Thanks to Alan Kelly (Wallasey cc) for initiating this challenge as a result of friendships fostered at many congresses with our club colleagues, notably chairman Dave.
Looking ahead we hold our AGM on 31st August, and September will see the conclusion of our Summer knockout, the 8th Annual time and point handicap, a pre-season challenge with Newcastle, and the start of our internal winter long-play competitions. The NSDCA league commences on 3rd October, where we have two teams in each of the three divisions.