U2 v Hastings 4

Last week whilst there was an extra club session, the second team travelled to Hastings for a Division 3 match against their fourth team. Once again team selection proved to be a nightmare and to ensure we did not lose a point on default I enlisted Michael to return home by train in the afternoon from his University in Chichester and after the match – when diversions forced us to go round in circles and eventually return to Uckfield via the slower, scenic country route – after returning all to Uckfield, I had to drive him back to Chichester so that he missed nothing of his course. That night was one of bucketing rain and flooded roads, so I did not get back home until 0215 hrs.  What a captain has to do for the team !!  That sob story was not matched by our performance though.  Mostly out-rated, we fought hard on every board and Steve on Board 4 and Ian A on Board 5 wisely accepted draws offered by their opponents, which if I had been the opposing captain I would not have been pleased about, as it seemed that both Hastings players had slightly better positions.  At that stage I was in a strong position and a couple of pawns ahead, whilst Michael on Board 1 and Artur on Board 2 were solid.  In fact the three top boards were all rook and pawn endings, which I won quite easily;  Artur and Michael had a tougher time with both playing very experienced players.  Artur’s pawn structure finally caused his downfall, whilst Michael’s opponent floundered against Michael’s solid technical prowess, and he finished it off ruthlessly.  So we actually won the match 3-2, and currently we sit on top of the Division 3 league table as the only unbeaten team from two matches.  Well done to all !!