TV1: Ealing A v Richmond A
: Created:01 May 2012 , by
There was an inauspicious start to this match because public transport problems held up players from both sides. We are on very friendly terns with the Richmond guys so compromises were worked out although at the end of the evening this produced some quaint occurrences.
Martin Smith, our board two has been in fine form recently but he found it impossible to travel beyond Vauxhall but here we had some luck. Because of poor form in the previous week, the Ealing captain dropped me from the team but as a travelling reserve I was able to fill in for the absent player. My opposing captain has creditably performed the same service for Richmond on a number of occasions.
Thoroughly put out by the transport problems Alan Perkins was late at his board and uncharacteristically performed poorly by his own high standards. However during the next hour the results went Ealing’s way beginning with a great return to form by Tony Wells and continuing with some excellent play by Nevenko Grozdanic who precisely converted an advantage. Next door to me Sainbayar Tserendorj was showing great tactical awareness to force through his kingside attack just when his opponent was doing well with a queenside/central offensive. On board eight I drew so Ealing reached half time with a 5.5-1.5 winning lead.
Unsurprisingly the guys who had finished their games were keen to adjourn to the pub. However the compromises at the beginning meant that two games lasted the maximum three-hour session. In an almost deserted hall Veljko Stanisic and John Quinn battled on for Ealing and personal satisfaction.
Veljko assures me that a pawn down, the shorter time limit would have cooked his goose but in the third hour he fought back bravely. At the close of a long session with the match decided, good sportsmanship prevailed and both games were agreed a draw.
Richmond are safe from relegation and Ealing have third place in the bag and perhaps with a good result next Tuesday against Surbiton, we can lift ourselves up to runners-up spot in the Championship.