With the 7-round normal league matches all completed and our C & E teams already promoted(to Div 1 & Div 3 respectively) Dec 13thsaw the “play-offs semi-finals” for the Division titles. Only our C & E teams participated in these by virtue of coming 1stor 2ndin their respective groups.
Division 2 Play-off Semi-Final
After a 2-2 draw with Barnet Knights B in round 7 to clinch 2nd place in their group and win promotion Wessex C found themselves up against… Barnet Knights A, winner of the other Div 2 group!
Although BK A out-graded us on every board we ran them to the wire with a quick draw on board 1 from Christian (with Black against a 2300!) and Raj grinding out a win which must have finished around 3 am local time and Jamie launching a tactical onslaught which finally settled down to a perpetual check after looking very dangerous earlier.
So an excellent 2 -2 result although, sadly, we were then eliminated on board count.
The C team had an excellent season and were also unbeaten in their group with 4 wins and 3 draws. Division 1 awaits next season where they could end up playing Wessex A or Wessex B!
Division 4 Play-off Semi-Final
With many of our usual E team players not available we had to call upon some of our Wessex F, G & H players who found themselves up against very strong opposition and fought hard before going down 4-0.
My thanks to all those who stepped up to play despite understandable reservations about how tough our opponents might be (and they were TOUGH)
With more players back in action next season our E team can look forward to some close matches in Division 3.
Season reflections
Another successful season for Wessex which continues to be the “major player” in the 4NCL Online league with 8 teams (more than any other squad).
In total, 43 different players turned out for us to cover the 32 boards across the 7 rounds.
Remarkably, 10 people played in all 7 rounds: Allan Pleasants, Chris Peacock, David Pye, Doug Blythe, Jaimie Wilson, John Weatherlake, Phil Pinto, Manuel Herrera, Mircea-Marius Mesesan & Roger Marsh
Given a further 14 played in 6 rounds we had a very supportive & reliable “core squad” which made my life as a captain much easier!
I also appreciated the “Play if desperate” reserves that I had to draw on several times 😊
The next season (Season 7!) starts on 24th January so I will take a break now as captain and look forward to the resuming then. I’m hoping all of you will wish to continue and perhaps recruit friends / chess colleagues to join us. Now that I’m retired 8 teams seems a lot easier to run! Equally if you prefer to go on my “Play if desperate” list just let me know…
With best wishes for the Christmas & New Year
Keith Gregory, 4NCL Online League Wessex captain, 14th December 2022
