BF Nidum were confirmed as Division 1 winners when they iced the cake with a 3½-1½ win over Morriston A. Up until three seasons ago they had dominated the Division losing the title just once in 21 years (to White Knights A in season 2009-10). For the last three years, however, they were against stiffer opposition and ceded the title to White Knights (twice) and Morriston (once). Indeed last season was probably one of their worst on record when they had to settle for third spot. This season, however, they were back to their winning ways. In what was an uncharacteristically tight schedule that has seen them complete all their matches ahead of all the other teams their only slip was a 4-1 loss early in the season to White Knights A.

The battle for the lower rankings continues. Morriston B succumbed to White Knights A (3½-1½ to the Knights) while a strong White Knights B overcame Emperors 4-1. The results leave White Knights B and Morriston A on level pegging in the contest for third spot while only two points separate Emperors, Morriston B and White Knights C in the struggle to avoid relegation. The run in will be interesting.

Swansea University continued to dominate Division 2 by defeating Morriston C 3½-1½ and in the process took a firm hold on the Stan Cole Division 2 trophy. They are now 9 points ahead of Bluebell and can only be caught if they default their last match. There will be some new faces in Division 1 next season! At the other end of the table it is still not clear which team is going to get relegated. Merlins put up stiff resistance when they visited Sketty to play De la Beche A but it was in vain. The 3-2 loss kept them rooted to the bottom of the table although with only three points separating the bottom four teams there is still something to play for. Time, however, is running out.

A double default in the Division 3 Tribunes v Harriers encounter saw the match settled over 4 boards and ended in favour of Harriers 1½-2½. These two teams are now both on 12 points and either one of them could finish in third spot. Leaders Morriston E dominated their match against UK Hawks and the 4-1 win takes their winning streak to 4 and puts them 4 points ahead of stable mates Morriston D who have a match in hand.

25/03/2017