Rapidplay KO Cup Final

Blackpool 2 v Lytham Ex 1  2½-5½

At the halfway stage Blackpool were leading 2½-1½ leaving them with a possibility of snatching victory because, under the handicapping rules, they only required one more point to be crowned winners.  It was not to be!!!  In the disastrous (for Blackpool!!! - PR) second half Blackpool 2 were whitewashed.  

First half

Blackpool's Dennis Davies unexpectedly beat Leo Ainsworth and Lytham's John Cooper lost after a very exciting game.  A much improved Jon Wright found Phil Raynor in his usual reliable, solid form and lost.  

Second half

Phil Raynor set the scene by defeating Jon Wright again.  Leo Ainsworth had a tough game against Dennis Davies, winning by a narrow margin.  Doug Williams ground out a win against Michael Parker.  The last game to finish was the one upon which the result of the match depended between John Cooper and Paul Evans.  It was a fitting end to a tense match.  There was wild play by both players, John Cooper sacrificed a knight for three pawns with attacking chances.  Paul Evans came back strongly.  Time was running out in an apparently drawn game but it went in John Cooper's favour leaving Lytham 1 the winners.

Div A

Lytham Ex 1 v Preston 2  1½-3½

Preston 2's first win of the season in their last match.  Lytham were without Peter Jowett and Leo Ainsworth which affected their chances.  Ricky Lord was a last minute replacement who normally plays for the third team.  He surpassed himself by beating Paul O'Mara graded 40 points higher than himself.  Both of the Phil's, Raynor and Copeland, succumbed to K-side attacks.  Doug Williams struggled to take a draw.  Malcolm Peacock forced an exchange of queens in his game against John Cooper leaving himself with a totally won R+P ending.  Lytham still finish as runners-up to Blackpool.

Div B

Poulton 1 v Preston 3  3-1

Poulton 1 v Blackpool 2  1-3

Div C

Bispham v Poulton 2  0-4

James McConnachie P8 W7 L1  I say no more (PR).

Chris McConnachie Unbeaten with 8 straight wins.  Chris is also to be congratulated on his excellent captaincy (PR).