Division B

Lytham Ex 3 v Morecambe  2-2

Morecambe had to win this one to enable them to take on Poulton for the title in the last fixture of the season.  It was not to be - Morecambe were without the services of their top board ace, Phil Seery, unbeaten so far this season.  This was the deciding factor and so Poulton 1 emerge as Div B Champions with one match in hand.

Poulton 1 v Morecambe  2½-1½

With the Championship in their pockets, Poulton might have been excused for resting on their laurels:  not so.  Phil Seery was held on top board for a second time by Oleg Cukovs and George Ellison (Poulton) completing the double over Norman Blade (Morecambe Captain), Poulton were always in control.  Dave Hartley, who has had an indifferent season for Poulton, came good when it mattered to take the full point from Paul Horman.  Poulton's Captain, Simon Rogers, suffered one of his few defeats.  Morecambe just pip Blackpool to second place by one point.

Blackpool 2 v Lytham Ex 3  1½ - 2½

Lytham Ex 3's first win of the season and against a much stronger side too.  The loss cost Blackpool second place in Div B.  Jon Wright again won his game to finsih the season unbeaten with five wins and two draws.  Blackpool's David Gillespie, although a pawn down in a Q and P ending held out for a draw against the experienced Phil Copeland.  Steve Lamb conceded too many weaknesses in the early stages of the game and these lapses were punished by Phil Raynor who attacked down the Q-side with a decisive pawn majority.

Morecambe v Preston 3  4-0

A whitewash for the Preston club.

Division C

Bispham v Poulton 3  2-2

The young James McConnachie and Abigail Pritchard saved the day for the Poulton team.  Blaine McGrady of Bispham retained his unbeaten run with a win over Chris McConnachie.  Blaine has scored four wins and four draws.

Rapidplay Knockout

Poulton (George Ellison's Team) v Blackpool (Andy Jaques's Team)  2-6

Poulton's Captain (George Ellison) reported that Blackpool thoroughly deserved their win.  On the top two boards, all four games were closely contested with all players winning one and losing one.  On the bottom two boards the superior class of Steve Lamb and Michael Parker proved decisive against Dave Hartley and Ken Gorman.

Lytham Ex (John Cooper's Team) v Blackpool (Dennis Davies's Team)  7-1

Blackpool were heavily outgraded on every board so under the handicapping system they only needed three points to win but this was a bridge too far.

Neil Coward was drafted into the Blackpool team and excelled to take half-a-point from John Cooper who acknowledged he was lucky to draw that particular game.

Phil Copeland won quickly against Dennis Davies in a battle of the veterans.  Lynn Morrison won both her games against the otherwise consistently successful Jon Wright.

John Cooper's team go through to the final to meet Andy Jaques's Team also from Blackpool.

Rapidplay Plate Competition.

Poulton (Simon Rogers's Team) v Bispham (Blaine McGrady's Team)  3-5