This looked to be an evenly balanced match from the outset. With 3 players unavailable together with a League fixture list that produced no less than 5 Downend teams playing on the same night, it was mutually agreed that both teams would default on board 3.

The match started well for us when I surprisingly and abruptly checkmated Matthew, who up until now had been playing well above his grade. Unfortunately, that was as good as it got.

Half way through the match, there were some tense and interesting battles that apparently could have gone either way, although the B's seemed to be holding some slight positional advantages or were marginally ahead on time. Martin's game was the exception, where he managed to trap and win Humphrey's queen for a piece whilst keeping level on the clock and surely would produce a win?

The tension remained as Megan, out–graded heavily on 4, seemed to be building up a solid position although understandably falling a little behind on time. Ian and Dave appeared to have a long book opening followed by a level position, until what I thought was a minor error by Ian led to a possible combination for Dave, but he didn't take it. Martin then seemed to lose his way and concede the exchange, whilst his opponent had started to play quicker and build up some time pressure. Meanwhile the position on board 1, whilst still unclear, seemed to be slowly turning in favour of Chris.

Suddenly, Humphrey built up an attack on Martin's knight and managed to win it, and with Martin's clock running down it was not going to be easy. In the end, Martin opted for a safe opposite coloured bishops draw. Megan looked to have built up a good position although this strangely turned when Jerry recaptured a piece. Megan was then forced to use much of her remaining time to try to save her 'lost' bishop, but unfortunately missed a way of protecting it. This left the scores level – with top and bottom boards still playing, yet the match looked inevitably lost for us.

Dave continued to produce sustained pressure and achieve the better position, leaving Ian with very few moves that might hold, and with time running out his one further mistake was understandable. Nigel appeared to desperately try to achieve a draw in a lost position in the last minutes of the match, but to no avail.

Having played 6 matches each, I calculate that this result leaves both our teams on 5 points and with the same number of game points. Everything to play for!