Your illustrious B team almost certainly look like finishing in fourth place in Division 2 after we were held to a draw by Telford C and Telepost B trounced an under-strength Telford B by 5-0, leaving them a point ahead of us with one match to play.
On paper, at least, we were clear favourites to win and indeed things started well with Mark gaining a quick victory on board 1, after his opponent dropped a piece playing the Centre Counter. With all the other games looking extremely promising, the 2 points looked in the bag. Norman on board two then had to settle for a draw, as he found it very difficult to break through his opponent’s defences, so all credit to Tim Skidmore, as this is not an easy task.
Anyone who has read my best selling book “MY 60 GREATEST BLUNDERS” can now add yet another to the list after my horror show on board 5. After building a very strong attack (2 unopposed rooks on an open file, a strong knight on e5, and the promise of a quick kill), the self-destruct button was pushed as I threw away my knight for no known reason other than the illusion of gaining a pawn, when it would have been obvious even to a five year old that it didn’t. Then, almost unbelievably, on the very next move, I put my queen on a square where I had to lose it or be checkmated! My only excuse is that I was furious with myself for for losing my lovely knight, but honestly you could not make it up. My opponent must have thought all his Easter eggs had come at once. Either that or “Who is this idiot?”
Andrew played superbly on board four to crush his opponent, as he is apt to do from time to time, which left Ivor, who was four pawns down by this stage to face the inevitable.
So many apologies to the team, but we must soldier on and make sure it doesn’t happen again! [However, I can guarantee it will do – Webmaster]
Ian Davies, B Team Captain