B Team Promotion Hopes Dashed
Shrewsbury B’s hopes of a fruitful 2013-2014 season, which had perked up from “nondescript” in pre-season to “slightly more ambitious” after a bright start that saw them head the Division 2 table after three games, were dealt a blow after a narrow reverse away to Town rivals Telepost B.
With skipper Matt Best up in Scarborough (where he scored 2½/5 in the Intermediate section [under 151], with Dad Francis attaining the same score in the Major [under 171] Section), Andrew Lewis was pressed into service for the third time this season with Daniel Lockett taking up the mantle as stand-in captain. This does, however, mean the match report may be a little more cursory than usual!
The first game to finish saw Daniel Lockett unable to find a way past Keith Tabner’s defence on top board. Having won a pawn and gained an attack early on against Keith’s Sicilian, he wasn’t able to find the finishing touch and was forced into conceding the Pawn back, ultimately leading to a draw.
Next to finish was board four, where Mark Smith’s Alekhine defence going wrong against Kate Walker. Having lost a pawn early on, Mark’s position deteriorated and he was unable to prevent the defeat, leading to a deficit for the visitors. The match was put out of sight with Ivor Salter losing on time against Peter Crean in a drawn endgame on board two, and then Norman O’Connor and Vinny Crean agreeing a draw with both players short of time on three despite Norman having kept Vinny penned in for most of the game. Although Andrew was able to convert his piece advantage into a victory on 5, it was no more than a consolation for the team.
Shrewsbury B 2-3 Telepost B
- D. Lockett ½-½ K. Tabner
- I. Salter 0-1 P. Crean
- N. O’Connor ½-½ V. Crean
- M. Smith 0-1 K. Walker
- A. Lewis 1-0 C. Barlow