The annual Roses match took place in Lancaster on December 13th 2009. For once, we had a journey without incident; no traffic hold ups, no wrong turns, nothing (Many thanks to Neville and Paul for providing the transport).

After settling in, I wandered into the playing room, pint in hand, to try and find out their team. The match was an eight board affair, and the only name from their team that I noticed was Stuart’s on board one. A chill went down my spine; if Stuart was on board one (and bearing in mind I beat him comfortably 4 years ago), and I was on board 6, I had visions of the match being a total mismatch. Unfortunately, my fears were well founded, as can be seen from the match details. ECF grades are in brackets, except where the YCA grades for our team were higher.

Lancaster 1½-6½ York

Stuart Ridgway (137) 0-1 Jos Woolley (206)
Colin Fisher (135) ½ -½ Richard Allis (176)
Nick Jameson (129) 0-1 Patrick Gower (175)
Laurence Bland (122) 1-0 Paul Johnson (152)
Walter Fairburn (120) 0-1 Jon Griffith (!46)
Doug McLellan (80) 0-1 Owen Robson (146)
Barry Bourn (82) 0-1 Neville Pearce (140)
Louis Rathein (75) 0-1 Norman Andrews (136)

To be perfectly honest, the difference in grades took its toll. I finished first. My opponent sadly blundered a piece after 12 moves, and then the exchange and another piece 12 moves later. He resigned immediately, and I looked at the other boards. At that time, 45 minutes into the 4 hour session, I thought we were up in 3 of the others.

Give them great credit. Although Jos was better all the way, Stuart gave him a good game, culminating when Jos found an inspired queen sac. Richard on 2 was held to a steady draw. Patrick looked to me to grind out a slow win. Paul was winning early on, and so I didn’t pay his game too much attention. When I looked again (about 2 hours later), he was struggling and ultimately lost on time. Jon’s game went straight into an endgame, and from my brief looks, Jon showed excellent technique in a minor piece ending to secure the point.
Neville and Norman won rather easily.

We may have won too easily, but that didn’t stop the hospitality. We were all treated to a sit down meal of hot meat pie, apple pie, and a Christmas cracker (to pull, not to eat). A wonderful gesture, as usual, and one we will have to look at next year.

It is, of course, a great shame that for a number of years we have outgraded them by some distance. Let’s hope that more of their stronger players are available and want to play next year.

We now lead the series 16-10, with one draw.