Fylde Individual Championship

The title will not be decided until the final round.  The two leaders, George Ellison and John Cooper, had to settle for a draw.

Oleg Cukovs made an uncharacteristic error and lost to in-form Doug Williams who is now a serious threat to the leaders.  Abigail Pritchard drew with Lytham's experienced veteran Leo Ainsworth,  Leo won a pawn in the opening but Abigail showed her defensive resourcefulness under pressure.  Michael Parker's space advantage on the queenside was outweighed by his club-mate's, Paul Evans's, kingside attack.  Phil Raynor had a decisive win over club-mate, Pat Coleman, and joins a strong group of players in fourth place.  There were wins for both Wrights, most notably Ian who surprised the higher graded Dennis Davies.  Jon proved too strong for Les Hughes.

Player Points
John Cooper (Lytham)
George Ellison (Poulton)
Doug Williams (Lytham) 3
Leo Ainsworth (Lytham)
Abigail Pritchard (Poulton)
Paul Evans (Blackpool)
Phil Raynor (Lytham)
Oleg Cukovs (Poulton) 2
Michael Parker (Blackpool) 2
Jon Wright (Blackpool)
Ian Wright (Poulton)
Pat Coleman (Lytham) 1
Dennis Davies (Blackpool) 1
Les Hughes (Poulton) 1

Challenge Cup

Blackpool v Poulton  6-2 

Two exceptionally strong sides - Blackpool now meet holders Preston in the final.  Long serving Dave Hartley turn in another sound performance, maintaining his excellent record for the season - W3 D4 L1.  Steve Gardner who has only played one previous game this season surprisingly turned the tables on Blackpool's Captain, Andy Jaques.  

Div B

Lytham Ex 2 v Morecambe  1½ - 2½

Morecambe are now the likely winners having overcome a strong Lytham Ex 2 side.  On Board 1 an early draw was agreed between Doug Williams and Bob Newton.  On Board 2 Phil Copeland had a good position throughout but gradually John's persistence paid off and he took the point.  On Board 3 Phil produced a great win against the solid Morecambe Captain, Norman Blade.  On Board 4 Lynne Morrison lost to a final attack at the end of the match.  

Blackpool 2 v Preston 3  3-1

A comforable win for Blackpool 2 which takes them above Preston 3 in the table.  All the games were hard fought.  Neil Coward was the first winner after surviving a fierce K-side attack by Paul O'Mara.  Dennis Davies v Kenny Quinn reached a drawn ending.  Mike Parker broke through in the centre to win his game for Blackpool.

Morecambe v Poulton 1  2½-1½

Lytham Ex 3 v Bispham  3-1

Div C

Poulton 2 v Lytham Ex 4  3½-½

Poulton 2 took the Div C title with this fine performance over Lytham Ex 4.

Challenge Cup      
Blackpool     Poulton
D. Wolstencroft 1 0 O. Cukovs
M. Mitchell ½ ½ D. G. Ellison
A. Jaques 0 1 S. Gardner
M. Parker 1 0 S. Rogers
S. Lamb 1 0 K. Gorman
N. Coward 1 0 A. Pritchard
J. Wright ½ ½ D. Hartley
  6 2  
Division B      
Lytham Ex 2     Morecambe
D. Williams ½ ½ R. Newton
P. Coleman 0 1 J. Lyth
P. Raynor 1 0 N. Blade
L. Morrison 0 1 J. Widdup
   
Blackpool 2     Preston 3
M. Parker 1 0 C. Rutlidge
S. Lamb ½ ½ G. Pennington
N. Coward 1 0 P. O'Mara
D. Davies ½ ½ K. Quinn
  3 1  
Morecambe     Poulton 1
J. Lyth ½ ½ D. G. Ellison
P. T. Seery 1 0 O. Cukovs
N. Blade 1 0 S. Rogers
J. Widdup 0 1 K. Gorman
   
Division C      
Lytham Ex 3     Bispham
J. Regan 1 0 B. McGrady
K. Sansom 1 0 R. Broxson
R. Lord 0 1 A. Screen
A. Wilson 1 0 K. Screen
  3 1  
Poulton 2     Lytham Ex 4
A. Pritchard 1 0 R. Lord
D. Hartley ½ ½ P. Coleman
J. McConnachie 1 0 G. Robinson
C. McConnachie 1 0 A. Wilson
  ½