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.