B Team Gets There in the End
A strong B team line-up saw off the challenge of Church Stretton B in our away fixture to them on 12th November but only by the narrowest of margins: 3-2.
This shows why I must try and select the strongest possible team while it is still possible, unfortunately leaving out some players who would otherwise get to play (this may even include me if I think it’s the right thing to do for the team!) The time will come later on in the season when we will really be struggling even to get 5 players, so these are vital points to be won now. I hope everyone understands.
I was first to finish after stupidly agreeing to a draw. Afterwards, Celia, and even my opponent, showed me what I should have done to practically force the win. In my defence, I did it after scanning the other games and thinking a draw would win us the match. The draw was partly justified when both Norman on board 4 and Celia on board 3 swept aside their opponents shortly afterwards. Another draw was all that was needed then and the points were ours but the night was yet young!
Daniel on board 1 was really struggling, both positionally and on time, his opponent having a very dangerous passed pawn. Mark, on 2, was also a piece down against Graham Shepherd but he also had 3 passed pawns about to set off up the board as compensation. Overall, it was looking decidedly dodgy. Daniel succumbed to the inevitable, so all eyes turned to Mark. After Graham managed to swap Queens and a pair of Rooks, the game looked up to me at least (but what do I know). After losing all three passed pawns and facing one himself, he withdrew his king into the corner and, because Graham had the wrong coloured bishop, Mark was able to force the vital draw. Very cool calm and collected, I must say.
The very strong Ludlow A up next.
Ian Davies, B Team Captain