First hurdles too high

Aspirations of matching last year's performances in the Terrill and Townshend Trophies were dashed on Tuesday night as Redditch 4 fell to Lichfield 6 on handicap and Redditch 2 were left facing defeat against Olton 2.

With several key players unavailable, Redditch 2 was forced to promote players from the Division 4 team for their Terrill Trophy match. New player Daniel Lambourne had been registered in time, however, and marked his debut on top board with a draw. Graded 180, Daniel is likely to be a significant asset to the club. Dave Spowart also picked up a good draw and Steve Crockett transferred his recent rapidplay form to the standardplay format with an outstanding win over Trevor Holt - an opponent graded 14 points higher. Andrew Wiggins and Michele Clack both succumbed to higher rated opponents after being in initially good positions, however, leaving Redditch trailing by three points to two. Derek Abraham's game has been adjourned after it was still incomplete at the end of the session. According to Michele, Derek had the better of it against an opponent who outgraded him by 33 points but may have missed an opportunity to exchange down to a won endgame. However, even if Derek should win, Redditch face elimation on board count.

With several players unavailable for Redditch 4 through promotion to Redditch 2 and absences, Redditch 4 were also forced to field a weakened team for their match against Lichfield 6. Coupled with Lichfield being given a 1.5 point headstart for being two divisions lower this was always going to be a tought task for Redditch and so it proved. Johns Holmberg and Harrison both fell to defeats and Richard Turner and Ian Clack had to settle for draws after looking to have a good advantage. It did not go completely Lichfield's way, however, as Giles Stanton managed to pin a knight to his opponent's queen to win a piece and the game with an overwhelming attack. David Smith also marked his Redditch debut with a victory over experienced opponent Roy Smith. This left the score at 3-3 but Lichfield go through 4..5-3 on handicap.

Both teams have the consolation of entering trophies for first round losers with Redditch 2 dropping into the Homer Trophy and Redditch 4 into the Barrington Trophy. Meanwhile, best wishes must be offered to Olton and Lichfield in their campaigns.

League campaigns get underway this week with a visit to Droitwich in Divsion 2 of the Worcester and District League on Monday before hosting Warley Quimborne in Division 2 of the Birmingham League on Tuesday.


Closing thought: "Don't be afraid of losing. Be afraid of playing and not learning something." - Dan Heisman