Shrewsbury A’s fine run in the Cox Trophy was ended at the semi-final stage by Shropshire Chess League champions Maddocks A.
Francis Best’s side went into the match buoyed by it being the first at the club’s new Albert & Co Frankville venue and coming on the back of a fine 3-1 win away to league runners up Newport A in the quarter final, writes Peter Kitchen.
But despite welcoming back Peter Kitchen to strengthen the team on board two, the hosts were outclassed on the night and went down to a 3-1 defeat.
It means that dreams of a treble are still well and truly alive for the all-conquering Maddocks A team. With the Shropshire Chess League and Shropshire Rapidplay Chess League titles already in the bag, only Telepost B stand in the way of more glory in the Cox Trophy final.
Although top board Nathanael Paul remained unavailable, Shrewsbury welcomed Kitchen back into the side in place of Ivor Salter.
But they were no match for Maddocks on the night. Mark Smith made an uncharacteristic error that cost him a key pawn against visiting captain Tony Preece on board three and was unable to recover. Then Best fell to defeat against Athar Ansari on top board – meaning Shrewsbury had lost both of their whites and were already eliminated on tie-break rules.
Dan Lockett restored a little pride, taking advantage of some uncertain play by Steve Tarr in the late middlegame to win with the black pieces on board four. But Kitchen was unable to complete the rescue act, eventually falling to defeat after being under pressure from Andy Grillage for most of the night on the black side of an Exchange QGD.
Shrewsbury had been convincing winners at Newport in the previous round – with one Newport player claiming afterwards they had been fortunate not to lose 4-0.
Despite both Paul and Kitchen being unavailable at the top of the order, the team thrived in its role as underdogs. Best defeated Shropshire’s number two Nick Rutter on top board, Lockett picked up a notable scalp by beating Ian Jamieson on board three and Salter won against Phil Love on board four. Chris Lewis’s victory over Smith on board two was only a consolation for the hosts.
Meanwhile, the club finished a creditable third at the recent Shropshire Quickplay Championship ay Maddocks Social Club in Oakengates.
Paul was the star performer on a gruelling day of 10 matches in a six-team double all-play-all event, scoring 7.5/10. He was joined by captain for the day Lockett, Smith, Salter and teenager Archie Flavell, who was loaned from neighbours Telepost for the event.
The team performed well on the day, winning four, drawing three and losing three matches to secure a top-three berth – and notably ahead of a Mad Wolves team featuring a mix of players from hosts Maddocks and representatives of teams from the West Midlands.
Results:
Cox Trophy Quarter Final
Newport A 1-3 Shrewsbury A
1. Nick Rutter 0-1 Francis Best
2. Chris Lewis 1-0 Mark Smith
3. Ian Jamieson 0-1 Dan Lockett
4. Phil Love 0-1 Ivor Salter
Semi Final
Shrewsbury A 1-3 Maddocks A (Maddocks won toss and chose black on odd boards)
1. Francis Best (w) 0-1 Athar Ansari
2. Peter Kitchen (b) 0-1 Andy Grillage
3. Mark Smith (w) 0-1 Tony Preece
4. Dan Lockett (b) 1-0 Steve Tarr
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