The EPSCA Under 9 South East Zone concluded in dramatic fashion with just half a point between the leading
three teams.
Wey Valley (who had girls on their top two boards), after a storming last round, finished just half a point ahead of both Richmond and Essex.
Richmond took second place on tie-break, having won more games than Essex, who, on paper, looked like the strongerst team.
who looked on paper to have the strongest team.
This was a highly creditable result by a Richmond team rather short both on big names and experience. At the same time the results
highlighted a few areas of weakness which we need to work on before the finals.
Star performers on the day were Robbie Parker, James Parker, Michael Boulton and Sam Bloom, all with 3/3,
and Joe Snape and Noah Schlesinger, both on 2½/3.
| Board |
Round 1 |
Round 2 |
Round 3 |
| 1 Joe Snape |
1 v Kent |
½ v Barnet |
1 v Herts |
| 2 Reza Khorasanee |
0 v Essex |
0 v NW London |
0 v Wey Valley |
| 3 Erroll Wood |
1 v Sussex |
0 v Kent |
0 v Barnet |
| 4 Cyrus Imregun |
0 v Herts |
0 v Essex |
0 v NW London |
| 5 Robbie Parker |
1 v Wey Valley |
1 v Sussex |
1 v Kent |
| 6 Ralph Caldecott |
0 v Barnet |
1 v Herts |
0 v Essex |
| 7 Joshua Hemmings |
0 v NW London |
1 v Wey Valley |
1 v Sussex |
| 8 James Parker |
1 v Kent |
1 v Barnet |
1 v Herts |
| 9 James Thorburn |
1 v Essex |
0 v NW London |
0 v Wey Valley |
| 10 Michael Boulton |
1 v Sussex |
1 v Kent |
1 v Barnet |
| 11 Noah Schlesinger |
1 v Herts |
½ v Essex |
1 v NW London |
| 12 Sam Bloom |
1 v Wey Valley |
1 v Sussex |
1 v Kent |
Final scores:
1. Wey Valley 22½
2= Richmond 22
2= Essex 22
4. NW London 20½
5. Barnet 16½
6. Kent 15½
7. Sussex 13
8. Herts 12
The top four teams qualified for the finals.
Richmond won the reserves tournament, again emphasising our strength in depth.
We don't yet have the full scores, but the last we heard they were:
Jack Thompson 5/5
Gordon Parker 4/4
Rahil Davda 4/5
Anuk Sirisena 2/5
Tom Anthony 1½/3
Further details can be found on Mark Snowden's web site