Two matches in Division 1 last week and both significant in their own way. First up on the Tuesday was the top of the table encounter between leaders Nidum and White Knights A. The Knights had won their last head to head and a repeat performance was needed to boost their chances of retaining the title they won last season. It was not surprising, therefore, that they fielded their strongest possible team with an average rating of 2100. Nidum, though, were undaunted and the hard fought match eventually ended in their favour 3-2. This means that Nidum are now in the driving seat having dropped one point less than the Knights. However, with a good bit of the season still to be played nothing is yet certain.

The other Division 1 match featured White Knights C at home to Emperors and yet again the Knights fielded an impressive team. This time it paid off and the 3½-1½ score gave them their first win of the season. There is now just 2 points covering the bottom three teams so the battle to avoid relegation is starting to heat up.

Division 2 also saw two matches both of which were between teams in what could surprisingly be construed as the relegation zone. Morriston C had a comfortable looking 3½-1½ win over Merlins to lift themselves into third place while De La Beche A defeated Giants by the same score and moved into fourth. However only 2 points separate third and seventh place teams so there is still no obvious relegation candidate.

Yet again two matches but this time in Division 3. Leaders Morriston played host to third placed Tribunes with Tribunes needing the win to have a reasonable chance of challenging for a podium finish. Wins for Morriston on the bottom three boards, where age triumphed youth, led to a 3½-1½ victory for the Morriston team and gives them a 2 point lead over their E team club mates. On the plus side for Tribunes they can point out, however, that the Division’s top scoring player is their top board Louis Ba Thein with 9½/10.

The other Division 3 match was an inter-club affair between Upper Killay Harriers and the Hawks. A 3½-1½ win for the Harriers was no real surprise and the Hawks remain firmly glued to the bottom of the table.

Last but by no means least, the results of the KO Cup matches, played week before last, have been entered on the site. Only three entries in the Open section (Stan Fortt Cup) so Morriston A, who defeated the Emperors 3-1, go straight into the final to play White Knights A who got the bye.

In the Under 1800 section (Richard E Jones Trophy) Nidum A defeated UK Eagles (4-0); White Knights defeated UK Merlins (3½-½); Swansea University drew with De La Beche but go through after bottom board elimination; Morriston C v White Knights is scheduled for 20th February; CN Senators got a bye.

The Under 1400 section (A.D. Nicholson Shield) saw De La Beche beat UK Harriers 2½-1½; Morriston E beat UK Hawks 4-0; Swansea University beat Nidum 3-1 and Tribunes beat Morriston D 2½-1½.

05/02/2017