Priorslee Lions V Telford A

Well after a cancelled match and a hectic Christmas where all the chasing pack were given the chance to put pressure on us at the top , as it turned out quite the opposite as they all seemed to cut each others throats leaving us with not only a points lead but also a game in hand. 

When we played Telford earlier in the season they were on paper weak however they ran us close this time they had 2 of their big hitters out, This was going to be a difficult night for us.

Ironically I said I wouldn't be able to watch board one game as it was likely to be a boring game well, the way I played on the night it was positively attacking as I retreated into a shell and ended up getting battered for nearly the entire match.

As it was the night was a very tense affair Glyn on 3 was in real trouble very early against Steffan and maybe only really started to get into the game as Steffan became to aggressive, had he have sat back on his advantage im sure the game would have played out differently. Once again I was marooned between boards 1 and 3 but could see Steve was happy enough with his game and very little movement on board 5 between to rather sluggish players (Marvin).

The game on 1 was a hard fought battle which I felt Adrian was better in for much of the night. I myself was under the cosh but having played the opposite side of the posistion actual was quite relaxed about how it was going (not so sure my team mates that were looking thought the same), Glyn on 3 somehow had traded off all Steffans attacking good pieces and won a couple of pawns to boot. He quickly went into an easy endgame and was done 1-0 to the Lions. Steve by this time was looking more concerned about his game on 4 , board 5 I had no idea what was happeneing as both players remained like statues. It was ages before another game was to be finished all 4 remaining games had gone into the last 20 minutes , with both me and Adrian wondering what situation was on the other boards. Adrian seemed to blow his posistion with pawns seemingly hanging everywhere and no conclusive attack. But it was Steve that started beaming with delight as he beat Windsor on 4 . 2-0 and things were starting to look ok , I knew my game was going to be a draw at worst as I was 10 minutes up on the clock and Nazif's body language said it all, all out of ideas and he stubbonly rejected a draw offer. He tried to harass the posistion which in turn actually only made things worse for him, I think maybe I rushed into the draw offer in hindsight afterall he was definately lost on the clock about 2 minutes, but I offered again and this time he wisely took it  2.5-0.5 seconds later Adrain on 1 lost 2.5-1.5 .Eyes turned to the game on 5 a strange one with Roger having 9 seconds 2 pieces down and little chance determined not to throw the towel in , only thing he had going for him was he had no pawns in front of Marvins king , Im not sure what the point of playing on was as he wasn't attacking anyway and he started skittling pieces off the board (which Im sure is illegal) and holding down the clock button making 4 or 5 moves when down to 2 seconds (illegal tut tut Roger) but Marvin was well in control and was just beaten to checkmate by Rogers clock. 3.5-1.5 and yet another win for the Lions.

Getting nearer the finish line but eyes are on the pack chasing and although some would believe there is no chance for others Newport and Wellington are within reach still.