Greenwood and Holmes haunt their former club
Eye-catching victories for summer signings Shane Greenwood and Nick Holmes halted the march of their old club Telepost – and helped Shrewsbury A to a vital Shropshire Rapidplay League division one point.
Greenwood defeated Fred Bench on board three and Holmes was victorious against his old second-in-command Vinnie Crean on bottom board to help Shrewsbury A claim a 2-2 in the night’s final round of matches, writes Peter Kitchen.
The point against the reigning rapidplay league champions was a welcome filip for Shrewsbury, who were hosting the league’s opening round of fixtures at Cromwell’s Tap House. It ensured they didn’t end the night up against exalted company empty-handed on a remarkably competitive evening that saw all six fixtures end 2.5-1.5 or 2-2.
As well as playing champions Telepost A, Shrewsbury’s other opponents on the night were a full-strength Newport A side and a rejuvenated Telford A side, boosted by the summer arrival of former Wellington player Tiago Faustino who played on top board.
The club was delighted to be given the honour of hosting the league’s opening fixtures, and staff at Cromwell’s laid on a spectacular buffet that went down extremely well with all of the players. All matches were played to a time control of 20 minutes for all moves, which allowed plenty of time to enjoy the food and drink on offer in between games.
Shrewsbury rotated a squad of seven players across their three matches, with club captain Dan Lockett the team’s top scorer on the night with 1.5/2. But it was a difficult night for the top order, who competed well but ultimately found themselves outgunned by some of the county’s elite.
The hosts got off to a difficult start with a 2.5-1.5 defeat against Telford A. Mark Smith drew with Richard Parry on bottom board and Lockett beat David Hollands on board three. But Peter Kitchen lost on time against Faustino on top board and Greenwood was defeated by Toby Neal on board two.
Charles Lowick Higgie stepped into the team in place of Smith for the clash with Newport A, and made an instant impact by defeating Ian Jamieson on board two. Kitchen put up a good fight against Nick Rutter on top board, only to slip to defeat as he ran short of time late in the middlegame.
Lockett drew with Joe Greenwood on bottom board, but hopes of a draw were dashed when Greenwood was ground down impressively by Chris Lewis on board three.
In the final round against Telepost A, Kitchen was swiftly overwhelmed by Nigel Ferrington on top board, ending the evening on an unwelcome 0/3. Interestingly, four years ago he played the same three opponents – Rutter, Faustino and Ferrington – in one rapidplay evening and achieved an unbelievable 50 per cent score (1.5/3). No such luck this time!
When Higgie lost to Zabrocki on board two the writing appeared to be on the wall – but Greenwood and Holmes ensured there would be a twist in the derby against the club they left in the summer by winning their games and salvaging an unlikely point for Shrewsbury.
Despite lying four points adrift of Telepost, the two club’s points difference is remarkably close. Telpost have seven game points for and five against, while Shrewsbury’s is reversed.
Results (Shrewsbury colours in brackets)
Telepost A 2.5-1.5 Newport A
Telford A 2.5-1.5 Shrewsbury A
1. Tiago Faustino 1-0 Peter Kitchen (w)
2. Toby Neal 1-0 Shane Greenwood (b)
3. David Hollands 0-1 Dan Lockett (w)
4. Richard Parry 0.5-0.5 Mark Smith (b)
***
Telford A 1.5-2.5 Telepost A
Shrewsbury A 1.5-2.5 Newport A
1. Peter Kitchen (b) 0-1 Nick Rutter
2. Charles Lowick Higgie (w) 1-0 Ian Jamieson
3. Shane Greenwood (b) 0-1 Chris Lewis
4. Dan Lockett (w) 0.5-0.5 Joe Greenwood
***
Telepost A 2-2 Shrewsbury A
1. Nigel Ferrington 1-0 Peter Kitchen (w)
2. Phil Zabrocki 1-0 Charles Lowick Higgie (b)
3. Fred Bench 0-1 Shane Greenwood (w)
4. Vinnie Crean 0-1 Nick Holmes (b)
Newport A 2-2 Telford A
Shrewsbury A will next compete in the rapidplay league at Newport on Tuesday next week (November 26).