Division 1 – 4/5/18 – Southbourne A 3.5 – 0.5 Poole A –

‘Twas a sunny summers Friday night and Poole ‘B’ travelled to Tuckton Social Club for their final match of the season. Realistically this was looking like a battle for 4th in the league. Unfortunately we knew that we might be up against it as we were missing Sergiu and were out graded on every board. Yours truly (John) was white on 1 with Chip 2, Toby 3 and Division one rookie Richi stepping in on 4.
Honours looked pretty even early doors however things soon started to unravel. Toby’s game went awry before the tea break and when my opponent Martin S offered me a brew I didn’t accept as I too was ready to resign. I had previously seen I was heading a pawn down and foolishly looked for compensation from a sacrifice that quite simply wasn’t there. (A lesson for me there that sometimes you have to take your medicine and just try and hang on for a draw). No excuses from me but sometimes you’re just not at the races, 2-0.
Richi was a pawn down but was holding some compensation when he accepted his opponent’s draw offer. (In the post match analysis it appears that he might not have realised Toby’s result had gone against us). This left Chip fighting for pride and fight he did! Chip at this stage was a pawn up but his opponent found a great exchange sacrifice leaving Chip’s king trapped and cramped. I felt if anyone could save it Chip would be the man however a cute rerouting of the queen from e7-a3-c1-g5 and it was all over. Hard luck Chip but a great example of fight and spirit from our captain as always.
So we went down 3.5 – 0.5 and a disappointing finish to a season that had looked so promising. It’s been a real tail of two halves but I think we can all be proud as our goal at the start of the season was survival and surely we have managed that!? (For those of you not in the loop, three victories from Wimborne B could still spoil the party).
From a personal point of view I would like to thank Eric, Chip and everyone at the club who have made me feel so welcome! I am also very much looking forward to supporting all of our other teams that have done so well and still have some big games over the next week or two. Good luck all!!

Report by John Weatherlake

And and additional view from the terraces as I trod the boards watching our 4 boards giving all for the team. A superb effort giving that Southbourne A are unbeaten since the turn of the year and are now in fine form. Well done Richie in gaining his first point in the 1st Division and a great effort by John, Chip and Toby.

This B team have achieved 1st Division status for next season which is a marvellous feat and the first promoted team for 3 years in the league to achieve this, well done.

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May 8, 2018