Broadstairs 2½ Woodnesborough 1½
| 1 | Trefor Owens (164) | ½-½ | Harry Sharples (149) |
| 2 | Bob Page (133) | ½-½ | John Thorley (120) |
| 3 | John Couzens (108) | 1-0 | Mark Towlson (101) |
| 4 | Bob Cronin (90) | ½-½ | Michael Davies (93) |
Paul Carfrae writes:
We welcomed Woodnesborough to Broadstairs for our latest Steele Cup match, looking for our first win in the competition. Harry always brings a competitive team even though we outgraded Woodnesborough on three of the four boards.
Bob C on board four was slightly outgraded by his opponent and had a tight, tatical game. With neither player wanting to give an inch, they agreed a draw. Next to finish was John on board three. He was playing Mark Towlson, who is renowned for his rapid rate of play. By the time I got to see the board, both players had a queen, rook, knight but John had a pawn advantage 7 to 6. After the queens and rooks were swapped off, John cleverly managed to get a passed pawn promoted and won the game.
Trefor on board one was also involved in a close game with Woodnesborough’s captain Harry Sharples. All seemed to be even so after John’s win, Trefor offered a draw that Harry gladly accepted. This meant we would get our first points whatever the result of Bob P’s game. Bob on board two was up against John Thorley whose grade of 120 belies his quality and experience. It was another close game, John possibly having an advantage in the opening but Bob with a clear advantage later on. Time was ticking on and although there was a lot of play left in the game, a draw was agreed, thereby confirming Broadstairs’ first win.
Well done, everyone, and thanks to Harry and his team for a well-fought match.