Crowthorne Runners-Up in the Haslemere Trophy

On Wednesday (23rd May) Crowthorne played Farnham in the final of the Haslemere Trophy, the Surrey Border League’s team handicap competition. In this tournament, 5-board teams play two rapidplay games with colours reversed and the handicapping system bases the winning score on the difference between the average grade between the two teams.

The final was closely contested on all boards, with Crowthorne scoring 5.5 to Farnham’s 4.5 – however this was insufficient as the required winning score was 6 points.

So, congratulations to Farnham who have won the Haslemere Trophy!

4NCL 2017/2018 Season Summary

Ken Coates has provided a summary of the season’s 4NCL performance:

Firstly I want to thank everyone who played in the matches for Crowthorne in this seasons 4NCL. It was a privilege and honour to captain the team.

I have just seen the final positions and can confirm we will not be promoted having come up just short in the final match of the final weekend. (Webmaster’s note: promotion is actually still a theoretical possibility, depending on the decisions of other teams regarding promotion and relegation, but it is unlikely.)

Over the season we conceded a draw in a vital match and narrowly lost 3 matches two of which we could just of easily won.

Even when we out graded our opponents they seemed to raise their game against us, so great credit to them.

We ended up 5th but beat Surbiton who finished 1st and drew with CSC 2 who finished 2nd. Losing narrowly to both Iceni teams cost us in the end.

A few special mentions are necessary.

James and Andrew found it tough going and were heavily out graded in some matches but they are improving players. It’s these tough, long play matches they vitally need to play in if they are to gain experience, learn and improve.

I award Peter Tart the title “Player of the Season” – he had a stunning 4NCL performance. He lost one game he should have won, drew two others and won the rest, resulting in a score of 9 out of 11.

Moving on, I’m now looking to the 4NCL season 2018/19 and see that the venues are less convenient for us being 4 weekends in Daventry and one in Bedford. I can see car sharing and team planning being important.

Thanks once again to everyone who played and commiseration on just missing out on promotion.