Match Report 25/07/24

Match Report:
Thursday 25/07/24
Eccles v Atherton
A Division
Summer League.

Eccles were crushed by a much stronger team! I knew it was going to be a tough game but honestly these guys are almost unstoppable!

Team captain Pete Mulleady said Atherton got lucky and the games were closer than the result show. Nonetheless, well played to Atherton!!

Atherton have developed into one of the strongest clubs in the NorthWest and Eccles have much to aspire to.

Board Results as follows:

1 Ali Jaunooby (2201) 0.5 – 0.5 Ethan Norris (2241)

2 Mick Surtees (2125) 0 – 1 Lee Kay (2026)

3 Reserve: Lauwence Harold (1413) 0 – 1 Andrew Bak (2044)

4 Dave Toole (1911) 0 – 1 Pete Mulleady (1963)

5 Mick Connor (1757) 0.5 – 0.5 Martin Lythgoe (1907)

6 Dave Boulden (1700) 0 – 1 Jordan Lee (1790)

Better luck next time Team Eccles, we sure have to field an awesome team to beat these guys. So let’s concentrate on studying and enjoying better chess and getting our rating up there with the big boys.

Onwards and Upwards so they say!

Man of the Match: Mick Connor (pictured) closley followed by reserve player Lawrence Harold

Ardent player Mick Connor on board 5 played a tough game against Martin Lythgoe who was 150 points stronger than himself which is a massive rating difference at this level.

Mick has played Martin in the past but had never beaten him. Part way through their game Mick was two pawns down but he pull them back. Mick then managed to get two passed prawns and Martin only one, but the best option Mike had was to keep putting Martin in check, hence a draw.

Mick said theoretically he should have lost, it was a risky but good game and he thoroughly enjoyed it..

Lawrence Harold comes to the Rescue!

After I received a call from an Eccles player at 8pm saying that he was unwell and could not play I immediately contacted Laurence so Atherton Player Andrew Bak would not have suffered a wasted journey.

Laurence is Eccles longest serving player at the age of 74. He legged it as fast as he could to be sat at his board within the alloted time before a reserve can no longer be called in to play. Lawrence saved Eccles from defaulting a board which as we all know is a cardinal sin when it comes to league matches.

Lawrence arrived puffing and panting, he sat at his board and began to play. Unbeknownst to Laurence he was playing against an opponent who was 631 points stronger than himself, plus he was down on time – so it was no surprise he lost. Lawrence took the loss on the chin and thanked me for asking him to play. Now that’s what I call the “Eccles Team Spirit”and long may it continue…

Next Match:
Tuesday 30/07/24
Eccles v 3Cs
Development Division
Summer League

Monday: Ladies & Learners in Chess

Wednesday: Chess for Fun (at The Venue)

Thanks for reading…
Barbara