Relegation reprieve keeps A team in the top flight

Shrewsbury A have been handed a reprieve from relegation – meaning the club will continue to be represented in the top flight of Shropshire Chess League for another season.

Dan Lockett’s side had been expecting to line up in division two this coming season having finished second bottom in division one last season with just four points, writes Peter Kitchen. But with Maddocks B having declined promotion from the second tier, Shrewsbury have been offered – and accepted – the chance to keep their place at the top table.

The club also hopes to announce some new signings very shortly to help bolster the squad for the coming season, with the aim of hopefully fighting to avoid relegation this time around.

The decision to stay in division one was made after consultation with club members via WhatsApp and email, with officials keen that everyone involved had the chance to have a say on the future direction of the club.

It comes following the departure of top board Francis Best, who moved away from the area at the end of last season, who was one of the team’s top performers on a very difficult campaign.

The A team picked up just four points to finish six points adrift of safety, an especially disappointing outcome considering the team had finished third in 2022/23. Ultimately the loss of top board Nathanael Paul to local rivals Telepost proved too big a void to fill – and Paul showed his worth by helping Telepost A win the title.

Stephen Priestley top scored with 6.5/10 (65 per cent) on the lower boards to complement Best’s fine effort at the top of the order – his 5/8 (63 per cent) included four wins from his eight games on top board. But none of the other regular players came close to troubling the 50 per cent mark as the team suffered from a collective loss of form that lasted the entire season.