Weekend 2

Tim writes:

All, rounds 3 & 4 of 4NCL took place over the weekend and Oxford recorded these results:

• Oxford 1 beat Anglian Avengers 1 6½-1½ and were whupped by Guildford 1 1-7;
• Oxford 2 won both matches 5-1 against Poisoned Pawns 2 & Throw In The Tal 2;
• Oxford 3 lost 1½-4½ to West Is Best 2 and bashed Barnet Knights 3 6-0.

It was generally a good weekend all round: Ox1 comfortably got the must-win we needed on Saturday and avoided a whitewash on Sunday. Ox2 consolidated their position at the top of Div 4s and the serious business for them starts in R5 in Telford – see below*. Ox3’s performance against BK3 was excellent, especially considering that elsewhere in the division a 500-per-board handicap was overturned by WG-MM3 against TitT 1. We must have some sympathy for the youngsters of BK3 who were 0-12 for the weekend.

Mike H and debutant Robin impressed with 2/2 (4/4 for Mike this season) in Ox2, and there are doubly-honourable mentions for Tom EW and Zoe who both scored 1½ in Ox1 and averted the Sunday whitewash. Phil N & Ian scored 1½ in Ox3. It was good to see Jon back in action for Ox2 although I hear his win wasn’t plain sailing!

* Future pairings in Div 4s are expected to be Swiss-style with game-points to determine “seeding” by match-point group, so Ox2 can expect to tackle two of WiB 2, Full Ponty & CSC Rhinos next [skip expects/guesses the first two in that order] while Ox3 are likely to face two of the other teams currently on 4 points.