WorcestershireOpen Team
Match Result 2009-10 Season

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Worcestershire lose first match of the season

Match report: From Ray Collett.

Lincolnshire under Nigel Birtwistle, their new county team captain, fielded a team vastly improved side from last year's encounter. The landslide that engulfed the Worcs team was set in motion when Arnold Kirkland surrendered. He was soon follwed by Kevin Hurney. There then followed three draws: from Brian Turner against British Championship entry Nigel Birtwistle, Jeremy Humphries, and our new team member Ashley Davis. Although the rot appeared to have stopped, a glance at the games in play showed that Peter Kitson, John Loynes and Andrew Farthing were stoically defending poor positions with only Lee Davis and Nigel Towers' games having prospects. Andrew Moore had turned around a poor minor piece ending so that when the draw was agreed it was he who had the better position. Ray Collett's game was even thoughout, but required some careful defence to secure the half point. The first Worcs victory was Nigel Towers' splendid win against a higher graded opponent. Lee Davis was our other victor who outplayed his opponent in a complicated queenless middlegame. The final game to finish was Peter Kitson's when he conceded a lost rook and pawn ending to leave Lincolnshire winners by 10½ - 5½.

Although a disappointing result, there were some pluses for Worcestershire. Father and son team Lee and Ashley scored 1½ out of 2. We welcomed two new young players Ashley and Alex and were please to see Lee and Gary return to the side after a gap. Many thanks to Jeremy Humphries who stepped in at short notice and to James Friar, who agreed to fill a vacancy if one arose on the day. Also, it was good to see that every club with a League team had sent at least one player

The match was played at a neutral venue, Syston Social Club, Syston, Leics and both teams are indebted to Cyril Johnson who arranged the use of Syston equipment.