Redditch recorded their fourth win from their opening five games in Division Four of the Birmingham League agaisnt Boldmere on Wednesday but also fell to their second defeat from their opening two games in Division One of the Worcester & District League at Worcester Bishops on Thursday.
Outgraded against Boldmere, Kevin Day picked up a trademark early draw on Board Two against Peter Loach, made even more impressive after being up at 4 for work! This was followed with victories for Giles Stanton against Nigel McCormack on Board Five and Richard Turner against Geoff Harman on Board Six, although Steve Crockett missed a combination on Board One after declining a draw offer to fall to defeat against Philip Jones. Michele Clack won a piece early on and then efficiently ground Andrew Taylor down on Board Four to secure the match for Redditch. Peter Seeley made a couple of early errors on Board Three against Malcolm Phipps and left himself with an incarcerated bishop. With the match decided and gradually falling asleep at the board, Peter offered a draw, which Malcolm declined before Peter left his queen en prise, although Malcolm was probably heading towards a deserved victory anyway. The final score was 3.5-2.5 to Redditch. Five games into the season, Redditch head into their Christmas break in this division lying third in the league behind Olton 'A' and conquerors Warley Quinborne.
In the middle of the apalling weather on Thursday, Redditch faced a daunting trip to one of the strongest teams in the Worcester & District League - Worcester Bishops. What was already a daunting trip wasn't helped by captain Tom Robinson being unavailable and the driving conditions. After facing an arduous journey home from in heavy traffic, Dave Spowart lost quickly against Steve Mellor on Board Two although Jason Cole was able to pick up a credible early draw against Jim Keene on Board Four. Andrew Wiggins looked to be holding his own against Nick Harris on Board Three but eventually lost but Dan Lambourne matched Peter Kitson on Board One to secure a draw. Redditch had to accept a 3-1 defeat and it is likely that this season will be as tough as the last one to stay up but they will retain hopes that this will be the case.
Closing thought: "Time trouble is blunder time." - Alexander Kotov
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