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With the late withdrawal of Tedmore, we only had 7 players. Our second team were playing Netherton and were confident of beating them with 7 players, with 2 players volunteering to step up to the first team. Captain Clive (much to my disgust) decided we didn't need their sort in our team; so we started the game 1-0 down. So, who would be Nostradamus, Davies or Archer ?
| Rose Forgrove A |
3.5 |
|
Bradford B |
4.5 |
| Name |
Grade |
Result |
Name |
Grade |
| Taka Chipanga |
212 |
1 - 0 |
Andy Bak |
173 |
| Rich Archer |
181 |
1 - 0 |
Mike Bramson |
170 |
| Mike Round |
179 |
0 - 1 |
Gary Corcoran |
160 |
| Mark White |
176 |
0.5 - 0.5 |
Michael Ashdown |
151 |
| Roger Jennings |
175 |
0 - 1 |
Sam Scurfield |
146 |
| Andy Bagley |
168 |
0 - 1 |
Gawain Ako |
151 |
| Clive Davies |
165 |
1 - 0 |
Kevin Winter |
152 |
| Default |
158 |
0 - 1 |
John Saxton |
139 |
 It was imperative that we levelled up the scores as quickly as possible. Luckily, I had done some worthwhile preparation before the match which paid off. After a five pint lunch with Ian Thackray, I managed to get off to a flyer being the first to score for the home side. A nice dull opening ensued, queens swapped off early which didn't suit Mike Bramson's attacking bent. I was a pawn up and winning when I enticed Mike's knight to the h3 square. I then forced exchanges leaving Mike's knight with nowhere to go. Realising he was in a real pickle, Bramson resigned as Kg2 was going to win the piece and leave me a piece and a pawn up.
Rose Forgrove A 1 - 1 Bradford B
After perhaps missing a chance against an International Master midweek, the mighty Chipanga was nicely revved up for this match. Taka continued his imperious form duly dispatching Andy Bak. Andy played the Evans gambit. 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 4 b4 Bxb4 5 c3 Bd6..... and bang went Andy's opening theory leaving Taka a pawn up for nowt. Andy did create counter play and possibly missed a draw, but that was the only sniff he got. Forgrove were fying.......until things went mammaries up!!!
Rose Forgrove A 2 - 1 Bradford B
Andy Bagley seemed to have a slight early advantage against Gawain, but this seemed to be petering out to a draw......we should coco! Andy allowed Gawain's queen to penetrate his back rank (which sounds all too painful and not something I would indulge in). Only a few moves later Andy's queen was sat with all his other 'also ran' pieces that Gawain had taken. Unfortunately for Andy the black queen was still on the board. Gulp!
Rose Forgrove A 2 - 2 Bradford B
 And the hits just kept on coming....I'm not sure what happened to Roger, other than Sam Scurfield’s energetic and relentless attacking vigour broke the ever-solid Roger’s defences down. On board 3, Mike Round was easily winning a game against Gazza Corcoran. Big Gaz had dropped a piece for a pawn early doors....surely any easy win for the Forgrove stalwart! Mike (I've no idea why, neither did Gary) sacked it back. This was all the encouragement the Corcmeister needed and proceeded to show Mike why he shouldn't have given the piece back.
Rose Forgrove A 2 - 4 Bradford B
On board 6 a small chink of light materialised. El Capitan Clive slowly outplayed Kevin Winter in a same coloured bishop ending (I think Clive was a pawn up) to get a point back
Rose Forgrove A 3 - 4 Bradford B
All our hopes now rested with our board 4. Mark White had Mike Ashdown under pressure for most of the game, but Mike defended well. Unfortunately, Mark was both running short of time and ideas, eventually taking a draw in a totally drawn knight and pawn ending.
"Clive's decision not to steal a B team player seems to have cost us the match." - Rich "Nostradamus" Archer
Final Score: Rose Forgrove A 3.5 - 4.5 Calderdale A
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