Challenge Cup Final
Preston v Poulton 6-2
The combined Preston 1 and Preston 2 teams presented too formidable a force for Div B side, Poulton. On board 6-8 Poulton were outgraded by at least forty points per board.
The only consolation for Poulton were two fantastic wins by the Latvian, Oleg Cukovs, and the veteran, George Ellison. Oleg was playing the strongest player in the league, Brett Lund, while George was up against another top player, Malcolm Peacock.
Rapidplay Knockout Plate Competition
Blackpool 2 v Lytham Ex 2 8-0
No contest. Although Blackpool 2 were only slightly higher graded on their top two boards they won all of their games. On the bottom boards, Jon Wright and Dave McCormick were too much for Geoff Robinson and Bill Weeks respectively.
Div B
Poulton 1 v Lytham Ex 2 1½ - 2½
Lytham Ex took the Div B title with this narrow victory over Poulton 1 and finished the season unbeaten. Leo Ainsworth's performance over the entire season has been spectacular with an average of 93%. On this evening he beat George Ellison to complete an amazing double against one of Poulton's top players. Oleg Cukovs and Doug Williams settled for a draw in a rook ending which was technically dead. Simon Rogers scored Poulton's only win when Phil Raynor misplayed the middle game of an open Sicilian. Lynne Morrison was in some difficulties on the clock with a vastly superior position against Ken Gorman and delivered checkmate to seal victory.
Lytham Ex 3 v Morecambe 1½ - 2½
Morecambe clinched second spot with this win in a keenly contested match at Lytham. Phil Copeland excelled by holding one of the Division's strongest players, Phil Seery, to a draw.
Div C
Lytham Ex 5 v Bispham 1-3
The two clubs at the bottom of the table battled it out: Blaine McGrady contined to chalk up the points now with six points and two draws.
Poulton 3 v Blackpool 2 1½ - 2½
Blackpool are still holding third position after this narrow victory over Poulton 3. Another fine result for the youngster, Abigail Pritchard, who drew with Dennis Davies. Poulton's Malcolm Wilkinson also continues his successful season with only one loss, five wins and a draw.
Lytham Ex 5 v Preston 3 1½ - 2½
As predicted and expected, Preston 3 took the Div C title with this win.
| Challenge Cup | |||
| Preston | Poulton | ||
| B. Lund | 0 | 1 | O. Cukovs |
| M. Peacock | 0 | 1 | D. G. Ellison |
| R. K. Taylor | 1 | 0 | S. Gardner |
| C. Rutlidge | 1 | 0 | M. Johnson |
| P. Taylor | 1 | 0 | S. Rogers |
| D. Andrews | 1 | 0 | K. Gorman |
| R. Hanson | 1 | 0 | A. Pritchard |
| P. O'Mara | 1 | 0 | J. McConnachie |
| 6 | 2 | ||
| Rapidplay KO Plate | |||
| Blackpool 2 | Lytham Ex 2 | ||
| M. Parker | 2 | 0 | K. Domoras |
| D. Davies | 2 | 0 | S. Willder |
| J. Wright | 2 | 0 | G. Robinson |
| D. McCormick | 2 | 0 | W. Weeks |
| 8 | 0 | ||
| Div B | |||
| Poulton 1 | Lytham Ex 2 | ||
| O. Cukovs | ½ | ½ | D. Williams |
| D. G. Ellison | 0 | 1 | L. Ainsworth |
| S. Rogers | 1 | 0 | P. Raynor |
| K. Gorman | 0 | 1 | L. Morrison |
| 1½ | 2½ | ||
| Lytham Ex 3 | Morecambe | ||
| P. Copeland | ½ | ½ | P. T. Seery |
| K. Domoras | 1 | 0 | N. T. Blade |
| P. Raynor | 0 | 1 | F. Rushworth |
| P. Coleman | 0 | 1 | P. Horman |
| 1½ | 2½ | ||
| Division C | |||
| Lytham Ex 5 | Bispham | ||
| G. Robinson | 0 | 1 | B. McGrady |
| A. Burdon | 0 | 1 | R. Broxson |
| P. Connelly | 0 | 1 | A. Screen |
| J. Chamberlain | 1 | 0 | N. Thompson |
| 1 | 3 | ||
| Poulton 3 | Blackpool 2 | ||
| C. Duerden | 0 | 1 | M. Parker |
| A. Pritchard | ½ | ½ | D. Davies |
| H. Sowerby | 0 | 1 | J. Wright |
| M. Wilkinson | 1 | 0 | P. Cregan |
| 1½ | 2½ | ||
| Lytham Ex 5 | Preston 3 | ||
| S. Willder | 1 | 0 | A. de Santos |
| K. Sansom | 0 | 1 | K. Quinn |
| G. Robinson | 0 | 1 | T. Fielding |
| A. Burdon | ½ | ½ | C. Fielding |
| 1½ | 2½ |