4NCL Online League – Season 13 – Wessex squad Round 5 report
With Round 5, played on Tuesday 17th March, we moved into the second half of the season and the promotion and relegation battles are sharpening up nicely.
At an individual level, we scored 21 wins, 6 draws and just 9 losses, translating into 6 match wins, 1 draw and 2 losses – our best evening of the season.
I suspect that six match wins in a single evening may be a new Wessex record ??
Gremlin-wise, we had 5 default wins and 1 default loss.
Division 1
Wessex A faced the top team, Hertford 1, who had won their first four matches. A tough battle ensued, which Hertford edged 2.5–1.5, with draws from Mark, Peter and Anuhas. David took one for the team with Black on board 1 against a very strong opponent, fighting long and hard before finally conceding in one of the last games to finish in Division 1.
Hertford are now out of sight with 10/10 and look certain to win the section. Wessex A are equal second with three other teams on 6/10. Two wins from our remaining matches could yet see us snatch the second play-off place for a sixth consecutive season.
Wessex B took on second-placed Wells Globetrotters 1. Although we looked competitive on ratings, it was not to be, and a solitary win from Hugo resulted in a 3–1 defeat.
With 3/10, we drop to 6th place, just above the relegation zone, and will need strong results to stay up.
Division 2
Wessex C had a tight match against Hebden Bridge 2 and edged it through wins from John and Raj, plus a draw from Roger.
With 9/10, we remain top of the section and, barring freak results, look well placed to qualify for the play-offs.
Wessex D recorded a routine win after their opponents defaulted on two boards without notice. An excellent victory from Phil, earning the “Wessex best result” of the round, clinched the match.
With 3/10, we move up to 6th place and could yet avoid relegation with another win from the final two matches.
Division 3
Wessex E battled hard against Guildford 2, with a win from Tom and draws from Robert and Yevhen securing a 2–2 draw.
The Division 3A table remains wonderfully chaotic: two teams on 7 points, two on 6, and two on 5 — meaning any of these six teams could still reach the play-offs. Barnet Knights B, on 0/10, are now relegated.
Wessex F were higher-rated against Dundee City E and converted that advantage comfortably, with wins from Doug, Andrea and Manuel.
With 4/10, we rise to 6th place, now two points clear of the relegation zone and in a good position to stay up.
Wessex G out-rated their Barnet Knights B opponents and confirmed their relegation with a comfortable 3–1 victory, with wins from Patrick and Steven plus a default win for Kevin.
With 7/10, we move up to equal 1st and are firmly in the play-off hunt
Division 4
Wessex H started 2–0 up after two “expected” defaults, and quick wins from Sonam and Nathaniel completed a 4–0 victory.
With 5/10, we move up to 15th (of 31) and look set for a solid mid-table finish.
Wessex J defeated Colchester JFF C with wins from Martin, Steve and Rose.
With 3/10, we sit in 23rd place out of 31.
Overall Summary
A very good round for Wessex, with:
- Wins for Wessex C, D, F, G, H, J
- Draw for Wessex E
- Losses for Wessex A, B
Stats Corner
Golden Pawn contest – Jamie Chilton could not play in this round and has now been joined by Manuel & Tom on 3.5/5
- 3.5 – Jamie Chilton, Manuel Herrera, Tom Anderson
Best Wessex Result – was won by Phil Pinto who beat an opponent graded 195 higher.
Wessex War Horse contest – 11 players are still in contention having played all 5 rounds (we have already had 57 different players play so far this season)
Keith Gregory
4NCL Wessex Captain
18th March 2026
