Suffolk win the Under 160s

It went right down to the wire, waiting for the last two results in the match between Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.   Cambs needed 1½ points from these two games to win the match and therefore the championship.   But they could only manage a win and a loss, resulting in a drawn match.   Well done Herts!

Although Jon Collins and Simon Riley were still to finish, it looked certain that they would both win, which they soon did.   So the match points finished level, with both Suffolk and Cambridgeshire on 9 points out of a possible 12.   Both counties had recorded three wins and three draws and both the matches between them had resulted in draws.   So it was down to game points, and here Suffolk triumphed, with a two point advantage.

This is how the final table looks:

In the morning, Suffolk beat Hertfordshire 9 -7 and in the afternoon beat Norfolk 9½ – 6½.

Jon Collins on top board won both games, as did Simon Riley (Board 5) and Stephen Lewis (Board 15).   On 1½ points were Mike Taylor (3), Pete Smyth (4), Bob Stephens (12) and Anita Somton (14).

By winning the EACU Championship, Suffolk avoid having to play in a preliminary round.   Instead, they will go direct to the national quarter-finals where they will face the runners-up in the Southern Counties section.   The draw can be viewed on the ECF website.   The most likely opponents are either Sussex or Kent, but they still have to play their final matches.

The default date for the Quarter-Final match is Saturday 16 May, but the match can be played on the following day if both captains agree.   Your captain will be on holiday, so will need someone to stand in on the day.