New Year Match reports
League matches for the season paused for the Christmas break with competition resuming last week.
Carnegie
Mark Newman's team suffered a heavy loss against Fisherwick A last week. Only lead board Eddie Whiteside was able to claim half a point for the team by forcing a draw from Michael Waters. An excellent result for Eddie but terrible for the team. Fisherwick have strengthened their team with the return of Kieran Greer on board 2 and look set to make a big impact in the second half of the season.
This week the team entertain North Belfast. North Belfast got off to a bad start in October but have since scored well. Carnegie will have their hands full on Thursday.
Groomsport
Richard Proctor's team opened the second half of the season at North Belfast last Thursday. While boards 1 and 5, Steve Scannell and Martin Rogers played up to their reputations, centre boards Damien Lavery, Albert McCarter and Richard Proctor were crushed by heavy-weight opposition. The team lost 3-2.
This week Groomsport travel to take on Clifton House, current league leaders.
Winston
Last Wednesday, Richard Morrow led a weakened team against a strong CIYMS side. Evan Bell and Richard Morrow forced draws to claim a combined point for the team. Gary Johnston, covering on board 2, fought tenaciously but was forced to concede. On bottom boards, Owen Wilson and Craig Kelly, both playing up, were outmatched. The team claim a single point for the match.
On Monday, the team travelled to Randalstown usually a well matched side. But the team is still weakened by illness and the result is uncertain.
Templar
Templar have had a busy start to the New Year playing 3 matches in 6 days. They will appreciate the rest week coming up.
Last Wednesday Templar played a rescheduled match at Fisherwick. With two absentees, newcomer Julian Hughes and Martin Rogers covered top boards but were unable to claim points. David Grzymek and Philip Todd continued their winning ways while Drew Ferguson lost on board 5. Fisherwick captain Alex Beckett claimed they fielded a weakened team but with the knock-on effect from their A team addition, this looks like the strongest B team of the season. Nonetheless, losing 2-3, Templar were disappointed not to have claimed at least a draw.
The next evening, Templar entertained Fortwilliam in Groomsport. Disastrously missing a player, Templar were immediately a game down. Martin Moorcroft forced a good draw on board 1. With the remaining 3 players moving up a board, David Grzymek and Philip Todd claimed excellent wins while Drew Ferguson was mated after squandering an advantage from the opening. With a short 4-man team, the match was drawn. Richard Morrow and Owen Wilson lent a hand playing friendly matches on boards 5 and 6.
Finally, this Tuesday, the team visited RVH. Back after 12 years, Kevin Agnew stepped in to cover board 3 forcing an excellent tactical draw. Martin Moorcroft and David Grzymek on top boards were on good form both claiming wins while Drew Ferguson was forced to accept a draw on board 5. Philip Todd faced an obstinate Frank Carrothers who refused to accept a draw. After a protracted game with Philip starting to run out of time, Frank found an unexpected neat trap which left Philip defenceless. Overall, Templar won the match 3-2, just enough to keep them in second place in the league, a mere half point ahead of Bombardier. Another debut tonight from Brian Grzymek who successfully defended board 6 against Philip Morrison.
Mark Newman's team suffered a heavy loss against Fisherwick A last week. Only lead board Eddie Whiteside was able to claim half a point for the team by forcing a draw from Michael Waters. An excellent result for Eddie but terrible for the team. Fisherwick have strengthened their team with the return of Kieran Greer on board 2 and look set to make a big impact in the second half of the season.
This week the team entertain North Belfast. North Belfast got off to a bad start in October but have since scored well. Carnegie will have their hands full on Thursday.
Groomsport
Richard Proctor's team opened the second half of the season at North Belfast last Thursday. While boards 1 and 5, Steve Scannell and Martin Rogers played up to their reputations, centre boards Damien Lavery, Albert McCarter and Richard Proctor were crushed by heavy-weight opposition. The team lost 3-2.
This week Groomsport travel to take on Clifton House, current league leaders.
Winston
Last Wednesday, Richard Morrow led a weakened team against a strong CIYMS side. Evan Bell and Richard Morrow forced draws to claim a combined point for the team. Gary Johnston, covering on board 2, fought tenaciously but was forced to concede. On bottom boards, Owen Wilson and Craig Kelly, both playing up, were outmatched. The team claim a single point for the match.
On Monday, the team travelled to Randalstown usually a well matched side. But the team is still weakened by illness and the result is uncertain.
Templar
Templar have had a busy start to the New Year playing 3 matches in 6 days. They will appreciate the rest week coming up.
Last Wednesday Templar played a rescheduled match at Fisherwick. With two absentees, newcomer Julian Hughes and Martin Rogers covered top boards but were unable to claim points. David Grzymek and Philip Todd continued their winning ways while Drew Ferguson lost on board 5. Fisherwick captain Alex Beckett claimed they fielded a weakened team but with the knock-on effect from their A team addition, this looks like the strongest B team of the season. Nonetheless, losing 2-3, Templar were disappointed not to have claimed at least a draw.
The next evening, Templar entertained Fortwilliam in Groomsport. Disastrously missing a player, Templar were immediately a game down. Martin Moorcroft forced a good draw on board 1. With the remaining 3 players moving up a board, David Grzymek and Philip Todd claimed excellent wins while Drew Ferguson was mated after squandering an advantage from the opening. With a short 4-man team, the match was drawn. Richard Morrow and Owen Wilson lent a hand playing friendly matches on boards 5 and 6.
Finally, this Tuesday, the team visited RVH. Back after 12 years, Kevin Agnew stepped in to cover board 3 forcing an excellent tactical draw. Martin Moorcroft and David Grzymek on top boards were on good form both claiming wins while Drew Ferguson was forced to accept a draw on board 5. Philip Todd faced an obstinate Frank Carrothers who refused to accept a draw. After a protracted game with Philip starting to run out of time, Frank found an unexpected neat trap which left Philip defenceless. Overall, Templar won the match 3-2, just enough to keep them in second place in the league, a mere half point ahead of Bombardier. Another debut tonight from Brian Grzymek who successfully defended board 6 against Philip Morrison.

