Rapidplay Cup

1st Round

Lytham Ex 2 v Poulton 1  2½ - 5½

In a very tight match Poulton 1 squeezed home by the narrowest of margins thanks to a brilliant win in the end game by Colin Duerden over Len Gibbins.  Both players had less than a minute left on the clock at the end of the game.  Poulton had to win by at least 5½ - 2½ in order to go through and Colin's win in the dying seconds brought about the required result.  Poulton's George Ellison and Oleg Cukovs won both their games well as did Lytham's Geoff Robinson against Ian Wright.  

Blackpool 2 v Poulton 3  6 - 2

Blackpool needed to win by 6½ - 1½.  In a tense match it all hinged on the last game between Jon Wright (Blackpool) and Jordan Lewis (aged 8!).  A draw looked certain until Jon blundered badly and lost his game and the match.

Division B

Lytham Ex 2 v Poulton 1  3 - 1

Lytham fielded an extraordinarily strong side to take on Poulton 1 who were without one of their strongest players, Oleg Cukovs.  As usual, Poulton's top board, George Ellison, gave nothing away drawing with Doug Williams.  Poulton's Captain, Simon Rogers, also did well to take a draw from the much higher graded Leo Ainsworth.  Lytham still had two more big guns on boards 3 and 4, Phil Copeland and Lynne Morrison, who both won in style.

Lytham Ex 2 v Preston 3  2½ - 1½

Once again Lytham turned out a formidable side, far outgrading their opponents - a comfortable win for Lytham.   

Div C

Preston 4 v Poulton 2  2 - 2

An excellent result for Poulton 2 against a stronger Preston side.

Poulton 2 v Lytham Ex 3  1½ - 2½

Lytham Ex 3 strengthened their position at the head of the table with this narrow victory over Poulton 2.  Lytham Ex 3 are still unbeaten with four wins and one draw.