Shrewsbury B recorded their first win in three matches with a critical victory over Newport B. In an incredibly tight second division, Matt Best’s side went into the game lying in the top half of the table, but – scarcely believably based on their league position – only out of the relegation zone on game points, the narrowest of margins. With Telford, Wellington and Newport all joining Shrewsbury at the “B Team 7 point convention”, victory for Matt Best’s side was absolutely pivotal to pull away from the drop zone and start looking back at the top which, despite being in relegation trouble, was only 4 points away and with a game in hand for Shrewsbury.
It was, therefore, a bit of a blow that Newport were able to name their full strength side for the crunch encounter. Although Shrewsbury had scraped a win in the away fixture earlier in the season, the availability for Newport of Athar Mehmood, fresh from finishing joint second in the Major section at the excellent Shropshire Congress, gave their line-up a more intimidating look – and not just because of captain Danny Griffith’s beard!
However, Shrewsbury were given an early boost as Athar went badly wrong in the opening, with an ill-advised pawn sacrifice followed up with some reckless pawn advances in front of his uncastled King, allowing Matt to swoop and pick up a Rook due to the threat of impending checkmate. Although Athar battled on for another ten moves or so, the position was beyond even Matt’s ability to lose and he secured a much-needed win to get the hosts off to a flyer.
It took a little while for the next game to be completed. When it did come, it was the board 5 encounter between Norman O’Connor (tactically reshuffled much to his disgruntlement) and youngster Lewis Clarke. With Kings on opposite sides of the board, the game looked to have the ingredients for a reckless pawn-storming bonanza. Norman had a cramped Knight stuck behind his Queenside (or does it become the Kingside when one castles long? I never know) and Lewis’ Bishop pair were controlling the centre of the board, building up pressure on Norman’s other Knight with pins coming in from all angles. Norman had started throwing his King/Queenside/h and g pawns forward to open up Lewis’ King position, but had to put the advance on the backburners to defend his troubled Knight. However, rather than battle on with tactics galore, the pair agreed a draw to keep Shrewsbury ahead.
Next up was Ivor Salter’s game against Griffiths on board 3. After Danny won a pawn early on, Ivor faced a task of defending all game. He did a good job, creating counterplay and opening Danny’s Kingside up a little, before mass exchanges left a tepid Knight and Pawn ending on the board, and a draw duly ensued. Shortly after, board four also finished drawn. Mark Smith won a Pawn early on in the Grand Prix Sicilian against Chris Paul, hung on to it and simplified down into a better position with both sides having a Queen and Rook to accompany their scattering of Pawns. With his clock running down and Chris creating counterplay chances, however, Mark agreed a draw with his position in need of some time to be ground out into a win.
That meant that at least a draw was secured, with Daniel Lockett needing only a draw against Stuart Ross on board 2 to wrap up both points. After Stuart left a Knight en prise in a reasonable position early on, he fought back well to create some problems for Daniel around his King to go with his time deficit. However, Daniel defended solidly and eventually Stuart’s position fell, ensuring a double for Shrewsbury over their visitors – only the second time they have achieved that feat against that team under Matt’s captaincy, and revenge on Newport for exacting the same punishment upon them the preceding campaign.
Shrewsbury B 3½-1½ Newport B
- M. Best 1-0 A. Mehmood
- D. Lockett 1-0 S. Ross
- I. Salter ½-½ D. Griffiths
- M. Smith ½-½ C. Paul
- N. O’Connor ½-½ L. Clarke