Under 11s are off to Northampton

As reported here, the Suffolk Under 11 team is heading to Northampton on Saturday, where they will face teams from nine other counties (or areas).   These include Essex, Kent, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire, as well as the London areas of Barnet, Richmond and Newham.   The top six teams will qualify for the National Finals, which are held in Nottingham on 9 May.

The team consists of 20 players, as well as two reserves, who will play in a separate tournament.   Half the team come from the Bury Knights Junior Club, whilst Woodbridge School is supplying five players.   Five further players have been ‘borrowed’ from Norfolk.

Top board is Anita Somton (138), whilst Norfolk supply boards 2 and 3.   On Board 4 is nine-year old Adam John, whose grade is expected to exceed 100 in July.   Since 1 January, Adam has won eight out of ten graded games, including wins against Franceys Allen, Roger Smith and Hugo Smith (twice!), all graded over 100.