Division A
Blackpool v Lytham Ex 1 2 - 3
The Champions Blackpool suffered an unexpected reverse in their opening match of the season. Despite three of their strongest players being absent (Darryl Wolstencroft, Paul Evans and Martin Mitchell) they still had a slight advantage in the grading figures.
Blackpool have recruited another top-class Yorkshire player, Roy Ellarmes, Grade 175, so when they are at full strength they will be a formidable side.
On Board 2, Andy Jaques, Blackpool's Captain, played Doug Williams and this was the first game to finish. Doug Williams lost a pawn to his former Norcross team mate and struggled without success to hold on to a draw. Lytham bounced back with wins from Phil Raynor on Board 5 against Abigail Pritchard and Phil Copeland who played a strong game on Board 4 against Neil Coward winning after taking a piece for two pawns.
On top board, Lytham's Captain, John Cooper, was up against the new Blackpool player, Roy Ellarmes. John Cooper suffered a strong counter-attack after playing a slightly inferior move and lost.
On Board 3, Michael Parker (Blackpool) was playing Leo Ainsworth and, with the score at 2-2, the result of the match rested on this game. In the end game of rook and pawns, Leo Ainsworth excelled to win in style.
Preston 1 v Preston 2 4½ - ½
Div B
Blackpool 2 v Lytham Ex 2 2½ - 1½
Blackpool 2 put in a real team effort to win in spite of being outgraded on all boards - this was an outstanding result for them.
On top board, Michael Parker drew against Doug Williams. On Board 2, Abigail Pritchard scored a valuable half point against the much higher graded and in-form Leo Ainsworth. On Board 3, Dennis Davies excelled to take a half point from Phil Copeland. On Board 4, Phil Raynor overlooked a devastating knight fork from Peter James amid some tactical complications.
Poulton 1 v Preston 3 2½ - 1½
On top board, George Ellison (Poulton) completely outplayed Geoff Pennington who was outgraded by 40 points. Simon Rogers (Poulton's Captain) threatened to take the full point from Paul O'Mara but O'Mara hung on grimly for the draw. Andrew de Santos (Preston) lost on time to Ken Gorman. James McConnachie (Poulton) played well on his debut for Poulton 1 but could not avoid defeat.
Div C
Preston 4 v Bispham 1 - 3
Lytham Ex 3 v Lytham Ex 4 3-1
| Division A | |||
| Blackpool 1 | Lytham Ex 1 | ||
| R. Ellarmes | 1 | 0 | J. Cooper |
| A. Jaques | 1 | 0 | D. Williams |
| M. Parker | 0 | 1 | L. Ainsworth |
| N. Coward | 0 | 1 | P. Copeland |
| A. Pritchard | 0 | 1 | P. Raynor |
| 2 | 3 | ||
| Preston 1 | Preston 2 | ||
| B. Lund | 1 | 0 | D. Schetcher |
| R. Taylor | 1 | 0 | C. Leitch |
| C. Rutlidge | 1 | 0 | P. Taylor |
| T. Fielding | ½ | ½ | E. Keogh |
| P. Thompson | 1 | 0 | R. Hanson |
| 4½ | ½ | ||
| Division B | |||
| Blackpool 2 | Lytham Ex 2 | ||
| M. Parker | ½ | ½ | D. Williams |
| A. Pritchard | ½ | ½ | L. Ainsworth |
| D. Davies | ½ | ½ | P. Copeland |
| P. James | 1 | 0 | P. Raynor |
| 2½ | 1½ | ||
| Poulton 1 | Preston 3 | ||
| D. G. Ellison | 1 | 0 | G. Pennington |
| S. Rogers | ½ | ½ | P. O'Mara |
| J. McConnachie | 0 | 1 | K. Quinn |
| K. Gorman | 1 | 0 | A. de Santos |
| 2½ | 1½ | ||
| Division C | |||
| Preston 4 | Bispham | ||
| T. Fielding | 0 | 1 | B. McGrady |
| C. Fielding | 0 | 1 | D. Graham |
| C. Riley | 0 | 1 | R. Broxson |
| D. Limbourne | 1 | 0 | N. Thompson |
| 1 | 3 | ||
| Lytham Ex 3 | Lytham Ex 4 | ||
| J. Regan | 0 | 1 | R. Lord |
| P. Coleman | 1 | 0 | G. Robinson |
| A. Wilson | 1 | 0 | L. Gibbins |
| K. Sansom | 1 | 0 | W. Weeks |
| 3 | 1 |