report-7-18

Report 7/18 - 4th May 2019

Lytham firsts and Preston seconds shared the Division A championship, and despite losing their unbeaten record in their final game by 0 - 4 against runners-up Lytham thirds. Poulton seconds were already clear winners of Division C.

In Division B, Lytham seconds held a one point lead over Morecambe and both teams had two games to play. First blood went to Lytham who scored a narrow 2.5 - 1.5 victory at Preston thirds new venue, the Jalgos Club. Phil Raynor scored the vital win over Paul O'Mara and the other three games were all closely fought draws. Not to be outdone, Morecambe beat the lower-graded Bispham team by 3.5 - 0.5 with wins for Nick Jameson, Sean Parker and Michael Farthing over Keith Wilcox, Ron Broxson and Peter Wallace while Alan Giles and Blaine McGrady drew on top board. In their final match, Morecambe had a tense but winning encounter with Preston thirds 2.5 - 1.5. Nick Jameson on board 2 secured the only win as the other three games all finished drawn in the noisy atmosphere of the nearby viewers watching the Barcelona - Liverpool game on TV. This was not enough for Morecambe as Lytham seconds had secured a 2.5 - 1.5 victory at Bispham the night before. Captain Phil Raynor again won his game on top board against Blaine McGrady while the other three games were all drawn. Congratulations to Lytham seconds.

Lytham's increased membership has probably assisted their rise this season. The first team share Division A champion status, their second team are champions of Division B, their Third team runners-up to a dominant Poulton seconds in Division C and their fourth team third in this Division.

This season's newcomers, Leyland sadly lost their last two games at Lytham thirds (3 - 1) and at home to Poulton thirds 1.5 - 2.5. There were encouraging signs for Leyland in both of these matches with wins for Steve Hughes and Sean Fitzgibbon, and some very close games in their final match. Recent new players have given them hope for a change in fortune next season.

John Regan