After struggling in their encounter the previous week against White Knights B it is likely that the Emperors were not exactly confident of making progress against the Knights’ A team. The fates, however, had other ideas. A top board win for Hywel Griffiths against Gerry Heap, a win for Michael Beck against David Buttell and a draw for Martyn Griffiths against Adam May gave the Emperors their first match point of the season while White Knights A dropped their first match point. The battle for the title has just got slightly more interesting!

The other two top teams were also in action last week with Nidum’s comfortable 4½-½ win over Morriston B cementing their position at the top of the table. Later in the week Morriston A, in spite of missing a few of their top players, defeated White Knights C 4½-½ and stay second, half a game point ahead of White Knights B. However, they still trail the leaders by a significant 4 points.

There were three matches in Division 2. Merlins were at home to Bluebell and being out graded on every board the 1-4 loss was perhaps not too surprising. It leaves Merlins propping up the table and perhaps wondering where their points are going to come from. De la Beche A faced the University for the second time this season but in contrast to the team they defeated 4-1 earlier they came up against a team getting its act together. A 2-3 win for the University keeps their resurgence on track and they are starting to look like tough opposition. The third match saw Giants, who were away to White Knights D, emerge the winners 1½-3½. Much to their surprise Giants now find themselves sitting in top spot waiting for the other teams to try and catch up.

The one Division 3 match played last week was between Hawks at home to Morriston D. A 0-5 win for the away team leaves Hawks floundering at the bottom of the table while Morriston D leapfrog Harriers to take over the lead.

30/10/2016