Yet more table-toppers just have too much for C team – while Pirates go under
Shrewsbury C fell short against a table-topping team for the second consecutive match, losing 3-1 at home to league leaders Newport B.
Captain Ben Howells’ win on time over the experienced Dave Lovegrove with the black pieces on board three proved no more than a consolation for the hosts, who lost the remaining games, writes Peter Kitchen.
The result comes hot on the heels of a narrow home loss against previous leaders Telford C last time out – the third fixture in a row when the Cs had faced a team top of the standings.
It has left them marooned in the bottom three of the Shropshire Chess League division three table, although they face a trip to one of the two teams below them – Newport Knights – next on March 24.
Howells has already admitted that he may have a limited squad to choose from for that game, but took heart from seeing several of the games against Newport B being close-run affairs.
He said: “It was an unfortunate result against an experienced side, and many of the games went down to the wire. This was especially the case with my game on board three, which was a well-fought battle in which my opponent eventually timed out.”
“We’re hoping to pick up a result against Newport Knights with a limited squad available. If we can get a win then that would put us in great stead to finish the season as strongly as possible.”
Three changes were made to the C team side following the Telford defeat as skipper Howells continued with his squad rotation policy. Orlando Bell retained his place on top board, with Nick Nuthall, Howells and Richard Beard replacing Tom Maiden, Chris Warrilow and Tom Osenton.
Beard was first to finish, suffering something of an off-night on board four to slip to defeat against Steve Scott.
Bell appeared to be doing reasonably well in a blocked up position against Malcolm Price’s Sokolosky Opening on top board until he dropped a piece and could not recover, while Nuthall was unable to hold an ending an exchange down against Anthony Hooper on board two. But Howells did bring some cheer by claiming a consolation win over Lovegrove on board three, having competed strongly throughout the game.
Full scores (Shrewsbury colours in brackets):
Shrewsbury C 1-3 Newport B
1.Orlando Bell (b) 0-1 Malcolm Price
2.Nick Nuthall (w) 0-1 Anthony Hooper
3.Dafydd Howells (b) 1-0 (time) Dave Lovegrove
4.Richard Beard (w) 0-1 Steve Scott
Average ratings: Shrewsbury C 1309 ECF; Newport B 1421 ECF
The result capped a disappointing week for the club as Shrewsbury Pirates were well beaten the night before in 4NCL Online.
An unchanged side was swept aside 4-0 by Corieltauvi to leave the Pirates in the lower reaches of the division four table, lying 25th out of 29 active teams. Despite the two sides being relatively close on gradings, the Pirates were no match for their opposition. Patrick Fitch put up perhaps the strongest resistance having slipped into a very difficult position out of the opening on board two.
Corieltauvi 4-0 Shrewsbury Pirates
1.Peter Harrison 1-0 Ivor Salter (b)
2.Phil Watkinson 1-0 Patrick Fitch (w)
3.Andy Johnson 1-0 Tony Purser (b)
4.David Pettitt 1-0 Pedro Perez Dominguez (w)
Average ratings: Corieltauvi 1572 ECF; Shrewsbury Pirates 1471 ECF