Finals Day 13/05/12

We did it ! Our two teams playing in Kent Finals Day at Dartford yesterday were both victorious, winning the Intro and Harvey Cups.
This caps an incredible season for our three teams, with only 1 defeat in 25 competitive matches and a current unbeaten streak of 21.
And we might well have had a third trophy (the Tom Fuller), but could not field three teams at the same time.

In the Intro, against unexpected opponents in Medway, we always appeared in control. Will gave us the best of starts with a win despite being heavily outgraded. He found a number of corking moves including a game changing long castling (get him to show it to you !). Pete won after creating more problems for his opponent than he could come to terms with and Nick was always winning on board one. Brian fought long and hard though a piece down, making his opposite number work hard to the end. So an excellent 3-1 victory starting the afternoon off well.

In the Harvey the opposition was Petts Wood, and an even match, based on the gradings, was in prospect. The first three games to finish, however, all went our way....but that was far from the match being over. Matt G was quickest to finish with a clinical display (finding a nice intermediary move before recapturing the Queen). I managed to sac a rook and in so doing drag the King into the open from which there was no return. Rob made it 3-0 after much thought at an early middle game stage when he feared the position was not what he desired. His good use of time was rewarded as the game swung gradually but clearly his way. Neil then lost from a position where a lot (too much !) was happening and his shortage of time didn't allow him to find a way out of his problems. This left us needing a half point from the two remaining games, both of which appeared to have potential for at least that. David N had held an edge for much of the game and his opponent was content to take the draw despite it giving us the match. In the event David L (surpisingly) lost, but we had won by 3.5 - 2.5 so the day was complete.

As well as the ten players who played in these matches mention should be made of all our other Club members, some of whom were there on the day, as the success this season has been a real team effort with everyone playing their part. Report by David Fowler

Harvey Cup Semi-Final 04/05/12

Yes, we did it !

Three semi-finals, three victories. What a season !

Last night we overcame Sidcup by 3.5 - 2.5 in a match that, despite at one stage leading by 3-0 was always going to produce a tight and tense finish.

Matt G got us off to a good start with a convincing win on board 5, by which time both Neil (6) and Rob (4) were also beginning to get the upper hand in their games. Both duly won to record a healthy lead, however.....

Despite having played well and appearing to have equal chances both George (1) and Nick (3) were now having to defend, and both eventually went down to make it 3-2, but meaning a 3-3 result would see us eliminated on board count.

David L (2) was involved in an unbalanced game, having given up 2 knights for a rook and a pawn. The position appeared even(ish) but his opponent was obliged to look for a win and went 2 pawns down from which he could not recover. David was happy to take a draw from a far superior (although not necessarily winning) position, and so the match was ours - another real team effort.

Report by David Fowler                 

Snodland CC                         Sidcup C C
George Hollands 149  0 - 1   Ian McAllan 158
David Lettington 134  ½ - ½  Gary Sharp 147
Nick Allen          121  0 - 1   Dave Helps  129
Rob Thompson   118  1 - 0  Keith Thompson 121
Matt Gazes         109  1 - 0   Dennis Halton 112
Neil Miners         77    1 - 0   Don Chapman  75
                                  3½ - 2½
Next Sunday sees Finals Day at Dartford, details of which will be circulated shortly.