Although RVH Hawks came down for Division 1 last year, their line-up is
exceptionally strong - on paper. While claiming to have spread their
talent to their colleagues, RVH Eagles, recent results indicate they do
play up to their promise. Bangor Barracudas expected a drubbing though
they did their best to field a strong away team.<br>
<br>
James O'Fee opened on board 1 for Bangor and straight-away established
a strong position against Gareth Annesley. James felt confident and as
pieces were exchanged was able to maintain a slight edge - a draw
looked certain, and maybe steal a win. Till an incautious move cost
James a pawn; but with better position the game was recoverable. As the
clock would down, Gareth's end-game expertise under time pressure began
to tell and just as James looked like gaining promotion first, fine
manoeuvring from Gareth's Rook dealt a fatal blow to claim the win.<br>
<br>
Philip Todd on board 2 fared little better against Ciaran Marron. For a
time holding the initiative, Philip's defences maintained the balance.
After the temporary loss of a pawn both players agreed a draw when it
was clear neither could make head-way.<br>
<br>
On board 4, Kevin Agnew rubbed his hands in glee as Sean Linton led
into Kevin's prepared lines. Kevin wasn't able to dominate though as he
had in the past as Sean responded strongly. With an open a-file
attracting all the action both players minor-pieces queued up to
intimidate their opponent but there was nothing but empty threats;
Kevin and Sean agreed a draw. Subsequent analysis suggested a possible
edge to Kevin but by no means certain and the prospect of an awkward
pawn end-game. Good call Kevin.<br>
<br>
Bottom board Ken Browne opened against Paul Logan. Ken's careful play
paid off with a two pawn advantage but Paul refused to give ground.
Till the end-game arrived with only opposite coloured Bishops and Ken's
material advantage; Paul surveyed a doomed position and resigned
reckoning Ken would gain easy promotion. Later review demonstrated the
difficulty of a win; a draw the more likely outcome. A bit of a steal
for Ken but then Paul has been known to claim the odd steal himself.<br>
<br>
Ken's steal looked like it saved some honour for the Bangor team. After
Drew Ferguson agreed a friendly draw with Philip Morrison on board six,
the team relaxed to watch the final game on board 3 between Bangor's
Martin Rogers and the Hawk's Neil Fisher.<br>
<br>
Martin had established a robust position securing mobility for himself
with Neil uncomfortably bottled-up in a corner. Despite Martin's best
efforts, Neil successfully wormed his way out of many a dilemma,
"always finding the best move" as Martin described it. The finale
should have come when Martin lined his three power pieces on the f-file
ready to trap Neil's Black King in a smothered mate. With Neil's
persistence through the game and time-pressure telling, Martin made a
bizarre minor-piece play not only letting Neil escape but revealing a
single-move mate on Martin's vulnerable King. Fortunately Martin
recovered with a series of checks mopping up Neil's minor-pieces and
finally an X-ray exchange of Queens when Neil finally conceded defeat.<br>
<br>
A hard-won, draining battle for Martin and a fraught experience for the
spectators who saw the possibility of game and match win bizarrely
squandered almost to a loss. With Martin's eventual win, Bangor
Barracudas enjoyed a 3-2 victory and with bonus points jump well clear
at the top of the League. If the team can secure a win next week, they
can relax for the Christmas break leading Division 2 against very tough
opposition.