Shrewsbury A ended their Shropshire Rapidplay Chess League division one campaign on a high with two wins on the final night of fixtures.
Narrow 2.5-1.5 wins over Maddocks B and Telepost A ensured Shrewsbury finished fourth in the six-team table. And the final round over Telepost cost our county town rivals any hope of overhauling Maddocks A at the top of the table and consigned the Abbey Forgeate side to a third place finish, writes Peter Kitchen.
Despite leading the table around Christmas time due to playing more games than other contenders, in truth Shrewsbury have been someway off the pace set by the leaders as Maddocks A, Telepost A and Newport A fought out a thrilling three-strong title race.
Ultimately, Maddocks A completed a league and rapidplay league double, finishing a point clear of Newport A with Telepost A a further point back.
Shrewsbury made three changes from the squad that competed in Newport a month ago. Captain Francis Best was the only survivor – Nathanael Paul, Stephen Priestley and Ivor Salter came in for Peter Kitchen, Dan Lockett and Mark Smith.
The night – which for the only time all season saw all six sides in action – started badly for Shrewsbury with a 3-1 defeat to league leaders Maddocks A. Paul and Priestley drew their games with the white pieces on boards one and three.
But things started to pick up with victory over bottom of the table Maddocks B. Best and Priestley defeated Gary White and Munroe Morrison respectively on boards two and three, while Paul drew on top board with Steve Tarr.
Then Shrewsbury upset the applecart to defeat long-time title chasers Telepost A in the final round of the night. Paul lost to Nigel Ferrington on top board, but Best defeated Dan Hilditch-Love and Salter secured a notable triumph over Graham Shepherd on board four while Priestley drew with Matthew Clark on board three.
Results (Shrewsbury colours in brackets):
Maddocks A 3-1 Shrewsbury A
1. Andy Grillage 0.5-0.5 Nathanael Paul (w)
2. William Bates 1-0 Francis Best (b)
3. Phil Bull 0.5-0.5 Stephen Priestley (w)
4. Tony Preece 1-0 Ivor Salter (b)
Telford A 2-2 Maddocks B; Newport A 2-2 Telepost A.
Shrewsbury A 2.5-1.5 Maddocks B
1. Nathanael Paul (b) 0.5-0.5 Steve Tarr
2. Francis Best (w) 1-0 Gary White
3. Stephen Priestley (b) 1-0 Munroe Morrison
4. Ivor Salter (w) 0-1 Simon Maydew
Telepost A 2-2 Maddocks A; Newport A 4-0 Telford A.
Telepost A 1.5-2.5 Shrewsbury A
1. Nigel Ferrington 1-0 Nathanael Paul (w)
2. Dan Hilditch-Love 0-1 Francis Best (b)
3. Matthew Clark 0.5-0.5 Stephen Priestley (w)
4. Graham Shepherd 0-1 Ivor Salter (b)
Telford A 1-3 Maddocks A; Maddocks B 1-3 Newport A.