Originally planned to be played in Darlington, this event took place in Frodsham, Cheshire after no North East team entered. The Frodsham Community Centre is a good venue and the Cheshire & North Wales organisation on the day was excellent.
The night before we lost both our top two boards (Michael Rabbitte and Nathan Talbot) to sickness. This was a major setback, but we are indebted to Mick Walsh and his young twins James and Matthew for answering the call at the last minute.
Each player played two games, one each against two different opponents, one with White and one Black. Tom Clements was pushed up to play on the top two boards and it was a very tough day for him, but the experience will stand him in good stead. Abigail Pritchard also played on the top two boards and was extremely unlucky - her first game was drawn when a pawn ahead but getting low on time, and then in her last game against highest graded player Martin Brown, she fought him to a draw but then went for the win and ended up losing. Jamie Horton, Nathan Gittens, James McConnachie and Chris Brodie each took a point. Both James and Chris had a crushing win each. In his second game Jamie had to suffer a trap set in the opening that he fell into (he won't fall into it again!). Ben Atueyi played solidly for two draws. Joe Shine didn't score on his debut, but he obviously enjoyed the experience and will soon break his duck. Peter Cassell played much better than his half point suggests - having done all the hard work in his first game, he missed a win right at the end! Lothian Innes took one point with a win in a complicated pawn ending - then fell for some tactics in the second. Today was the turn of James Walsh to shine (two points) and Matthew to suffer (no points) - in his second game, Matthew appeared to be on top before his opponent uncorked a stunner, offering his queen, which couldn't be taken because of a forced mate.
At the end of the first round, the score was 6½ - 5½ to Cheshire & North Wales, but their higher grades shone through in round two to leave them convincing 15 - 9 winners. However lots of experience for several young Lancashire players who will be able to play for the U16 team for the next 4-5 years - and our top two boards won't be sick next time!
| ROUND 1 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Board | C & NW | Result | Lancs | |||
| 1 | Martin Brown | 1 - 0 | Thomas Clements | |||
| 2 | David Groves | ½ - ½ | Abigail Pritchard | |||
| 3 | Mitchell Burke | 0 - 1 | Jamie Horton | |||
| 4 | Chris Chadwick | 1 - 0 | Nathan Gittens | |||
| 5 | Joshua Oxley | 1 - 0 | James McConnachie | |||
| 6 | Steven Jones | 0 - 1 | Chris Brodie | |||
| 7 | James Fidal | ½ - ½ | Ben Ateuyi | |||
| 8 | Conrad Green | 1 - 0 | Joe Shine | |||
| 9 | Peter Gerlagh | ½ - ½ | Peter Cassell | |||
| 10 | Charles Gilman | 0 - 1 | Lothian Innes | |||
| 11 | Ben McWilliams | 0 - 1 | James Walsh | |||
| 12 | Marvin Hayes | 1 - 0 | Matthew Walsh | |||
| 6½ - 5½ | ||||||
| ROUND 2 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Board | C & NW | Result | Lancs | |||
| 1 | Martin Brown | 1 - 0 | Abigail Pritchard | |||
| 2 | David Groves | 1 - 0 | Thomas Clements | |||
| 3 | Mitchell Burke | 0 - 1 | Nathan Gittens | |||
| 4 | Chris Chadwick | 1 - 0 | Jamie Horton | |||
| 5 | Joshua Oxley | 1 - 0 | Chris Brodie | |||
| 6 | Steven Jones | 0 - 1 | James McConnachie | |||
| 7 | James Fidal | 1 - 0 | Joe Shine | |||
| 8 | Conrad Green | ½ - ½ | Ben Ateuyi | |||
| 9 | Peter Gerlagh | 1 - 0 | Lothian Innes | |||
| 10 | Charles Gilman | 1 - 0 | Peter Cassell | |||
| 11 | Ben McWilliams | 1 - 0 | Matthew Walsh | |||
| 12 | Marvin Hayes | 0 - 1 | James Walsh | |||
| 8½ - 3½ | ||||||