Halesowen Chess Club

2:57pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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Most Winter League chess has now been concluded, with the exception of exciting finishes in the first division of the Dudley League and the second division of the Worcester League.

In the Birmingham League, none of the four teams had a good season. The first team survived in the top division by a single victory ending with a season's record of won 4 drawn 1 and lost 7.

A good win over Shirley with wins for Andy Ambrose, John Edge and Stewart Fishburne eased fears but the last match of the season was a dire defeat against a weak Wolverhampton side. Better luck next season. At least that team lives to fight another day. By contrast the second team has been relegated from Division 2 to division 3.

After a bright start the team had a poor run in mid-season and despite draws against relegation rivals Warley Quinbourne and Tamworth, other results conspired against the team.

The third have also been relegated to division 5. This was not unexpected following last season's surprise promotion. The fourth team performed the best of the bunch, finishing with a respectable mid-table position.

In the Wolverhampton League the first team were relegated from division 1 when rivals Boldmere beat West Brom in their last match of the season and Halesowen were pipped 3.5 - 2.5 by local rivals Stourbridge, despite a heroic effort by Windsor Peck to save a lost position and the match.

Boldmere, St George's and Halesowen all finished with the same number of league points. But the tie-break saw Halesowen and St George's relegated. The second team play in the third division and had a good season and looked as if they might be promoted at one point, but rivals Mercia held their nerve to win their last 3 matches and take the second promotion place. The division 4 team improved on last year's performance and finished in a commendable mid table position.

In the Worcester County League the perennial battle between the top 4 went the way of Kidderminster this year. Halesowen handed them the title by beating Malvern, the only team that could catch them. A final win against Worcester City was only good enough to secure third spot. Early season losses against Kidderminster and Malvern were too much to recover.

The second division is building up to an exciting climax. Halesowen host Greenland in the last match of the season and the winners will probably take the title. This is a repeat scenario from last season and Halesowen are hoping that history does NOT repeat itself, having lost out last year.

In the Dudley League, the first division is also building to a tense climax. Halesowen still have to play Stourbridge home and away. Stourbridge also have to play Warley Quinbourne and only these 3 teams can win the title. In the second and third divisions the Halesowen teams have performed creditably, finishing in the middle of the respective tables.

The club's AGM will be held on the evening of Thursday 22nd May at Hasbury Conservative Club by when all the leagues will be completed and the club trophies will be awarded. The Wolverhampton Summer League will be just about to start and the programme of Summer club events can be arranged.