Worcestershire Chess Association

County news

Woodcock Prize shared for 2021-2 season

31 Aug 2022. The winning game is judged on the tactics generated by the players. The game does not have to be technically perfect nor need it be submitted by the winning player. The Woodcock Prize for the "most enterprising game" was shared by Joe Friar (Kidderminster), playing white and Lee Davis (Malvern) for their Division 1 game last season. The game began with a Pirc Defence with white's pawns marchng down the board. Black soon turned the tables chasing the white king up the board then winning white’s queen. But the position was complex and Joe generated counter play and Lee won only when Joe’s time expired. View the game with commentary here.

Chess at ABI Games Worcester Arena

27 Aug 2022. President Ray Collett helped at the Acquired Brain Injury Games chess competition held as part of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Ray also had a few games with players at the games and their carers. See ABI Games pictures.

Worcester & District League merges with county association

23 Aug 2022. Club representatives of Worcester & District Chess League decided to merge with the county association. This brings an end to the independent existence of the District League, but its activities live on. The District league, and the individual tournaments for the Bennett (open) and Ball (u1650) cups continue. It is understood that the District League was founded in 1932 and for many years the noted Blind player Reg Bonham was its President. Archive results of the District League 2001-2019 are maintained here.

Worcestershire Chess Championships 21 Aug 2022. Stewart Fishburne (Halesowen) is the new Worcestershire Chess Champion. Stewart scored 3½/4 in the 2-day congress held at The King’s School, Worcester on 20 and 21st August. Julie Wilson (Stourbridge) is again the Women’s Champion. Other title holders are: Senior - Ian Clarke (Malvern); Veteran - Lee Davis (Malvern); Junior - Joshua Clarke (The King’s School, Worcester); Minor - Peter Hughes (Stourbridge/Mutual Circle). The tournament was controlled by Andrew Farthing and Andrew’s charity bookstall raised over £150 for St Richard’s Hospice. Further pictures and full results here.

Dudley League meeting: Longbridge admitted

11 Aug 2022. At the annual meeting Paul Sharratt was re-elected as President and John Fahy as Secretary. Longbridge’s application to enter the league was agreed. The meeting fixed rating limits of u2000 for Divion 1, u1800 for Division 2, and u1600 for Division 3. Longbridge would play Warley Quinborne in four matches to determine the League Championship. In the other divisions, teams will play home and away. Mercia, Oscott, South Birmingham and Wolverhampton play in Division 2; and Kidderminster, Kynoch, Longbridge, Stourbridge and Warley Quinborne in Division 3.

John Wrench Kidderminster Champion

30 Jul 2022. John won for a record 11th time. Wrench pulled off a nice semi final win against number one seed Joseph Friar whilst 12 year old Cameron Henry caused a semi final upset to become the youngest finalist in the competition's 121 year history. With the black pieces and playing a French Defence Wrench emerged a pawn up to finally checkmate the youngster after 53 moves.

New chess club in Pebworth

26 Jul 2022, Dan Lambourne reports. Debbie Robinson organised a successful launch for the club with juniors and older hands playing social chess at the Village Hall. The club next meets on 2 August and then fortnightly during August and moving to a weekly schedule in September. View their flyer.

Dudley and District re-starts September 2022

21 Jul 2022, John Fahy reports. Arrangements for 2022-3 season. The DDCL fixtures meeting is scheduled for 7:30pm Thursday 11 August at the Stag and Three Horseshoes (Warley Quinborne venue).

Kidderminster Club

21 Jul 2022. Joe Friar clinched four Kidderminster trophies: The Shuttle Shield, beating John Wrench in the final; Quickplay; Lightning and Handicap championships. In the final for Kiddermister championship twelve-year-old Cameron Henry plays John Wrench.

Continuity at Worcester Club

16 Jun 2022. At the club’s 186th annual general meeting, officials were re-elected and Jim Keene took on the role of honorary treasurer. The club had gained new members after the end of Covid-19 restrictions and attendance had returned to normal. The club agreed to enter at least three over-the-board teams in local the league and formalise the club's online team that were runners-up in 4NCL division 5. At the awards ceremony, Steve Mellor, Phil Austin and Scott Oxtoby were presented with trophies.

Worcestershire players at Birmingham rapidplay

12 Jun 2022. Players from Kidderminster and Worcester took part. The most successful players were John Varilone (Kidderminster) in the Intermediate and Simon Berry (Worcester) in the Minor tournaments. Both scored 4½ points and were out of the prize list.The Friar bri=others (Kidderminster) had a torrid time as did Colin Vernon (Worcester). Juniors scored well with former county junior players Finlay Bowcott-Scott in fourth place on 5 points that included a win against a GM, and Manvith Sandhu scoring 4 points in the Open while Worcestershire Squad player Ned Guyett (Nunnery Wood HS, Worcester) scored a creditable 3½ points in the Minor tournament.

Worcestershire players at Birmingham rapidplay

12 Jun 2022. Players from Kidderminster and Worcester took part. The most successful players were John Varilone (Kidderminster) in the Intermediate and Simon Berry (Worcester) in the Minor tournaments. Both scored 4½ points and were out of the prize list.The Friar bri=others (Kidderminster) had a torrid time as did Colin Vernon (Worcester). Juniors scored well with former county junior players Finlay Bowcott-Scott in fourth place on 5 points that included a win against a GM, and Manvith Sandhu scoring 4 points in the Open while Worcestershire Squad player Ned Guyett (Nunnery Wood HS, Worcester) scored a creditable 3½ points in the Minor tournament.

Joint league meeting: Redditch crowned league champions

Redditch team captain Dan Lambourne receives League championship trophy

 

9 Jun 2022. Club representatives met to consider future competitive chess in Worcestershire. The county association and Worcester District League officials called a joint meeting of club representatives to plan for the 2022-3 season and evaluate the temporary joint league formed for the 2021-2 season. Brian Turner, honorary treasurer reported that funds were in good shape and it will be possible for league fees to be waived for a further season. District league funds were now held in the County association’s account because its own bankers had raised charges to an uneconomic level. Club representatives thought the temporary merged league had worked well and allowed a reasonable level of activity when many players were still worried about risks of catching Covid. Paul Sharratt said that there had been only a third as many rated games played as pre-Covid and several speakers said keen players and new players required more opportunities to play than provided last season. Members agreed that four senior officers of the two organisations (Ray Collett, Andrew Farthing, Paul Sharratt and Brian Turner) should draft proposals for a joint league structure and a potential structure for the County association that would permit a merger of District League and County Association. It is likely the District league will hold an AGM to consider these proposals and a merger before the county association AGM. At the meeting’s conclusion, WCA President Ray Collett presented Dan Lambourne, captain of Redditch team, with the Division 1 trophy.

June Meeting of the joint leagues 2022

Dudley & District League re-starts September

8 Jun 2022, John Fahy reports. An AGM and fixtures meeting is planned for July and club secretaries have been invited to enter teams for the 2022-3 season competitions.

Worcestershire juniors in online team battle

6 Jun 2022, Simon Berry reports. Although short on players, Worcestershire Squad finished third in Division 2 ahead of Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire, Surrey, and a team from Nottinghamshire.

County players at Cotwold Congress

4 Jun 2022. Lee Davis (Malvern) was the leading scorer from Worcestershire in the Open (4/6) with Philip Holt (Olton) on 2½ and George Charman (Malvern), and Former Junior Academy player 15 year old Dillan Duke, excelled by finishing with 3 points and a tournament performance rating of 2053. Definitely a player to watch for the future. In the Major tournament, Trevor Holt (Olton) shared first prize and club mate Chris Pett scored 1½ points. Jon Asbury (Shirley & Wythall, 3/5 and Colin Vernon (Worcester 2½/5) played in the Minor. Andrew Farthing assisted with this three-day event played at Gloucester and ran a charity chess bookstall that raised over £600 for St Richard’s Hospice.

Phil Austin new Worcester speed champ

26 May. Worcester City club held a well-attended Blitz tournament (3 min + 2 sec). Two groups played in the preliminary stage to qualify four semifinalists: Group A; Phil Austin and Stephen Mellor 6/7 and Group B; Ed Osbourne 7/7 and Rob Sutton 6/7. The finalists were Phil and Stephen with Phil winning out from a tough game when Stephen lost on time in the ending.

Joe Friar wins Kidderminster Buzzer tournament

25 May 2022. Joe (8½ points) finished a point clear of John Whitehead (7½), John Wrench, Mark Riley and Richard Wilkinson (7).

Kidderminster Library plays board games on Saturday

24 May 2022, John Wrench reports. Kidderminster Library offers FREE Board Games Sessions, including chess every Saturday from 1pm to 3pm. The library is in Market Street, Kidderminster DY10 1AB.

Joint League meeting Thursday 9 June

4 May 2022, Paul Sharratt reports. Andrew Farthing (sec Worc & Dist League) and Worcestershire Chess Association have arranged a meeting of club secretaries and captains on Thursday evening 9 June at Worcester to review the operation of the joint league set up in response to the Covid crisis.

Final league fixtures completed

13 Apr 2022. Redditch 2 beat Stourbridge in the final match of the league season. Redditch are league champions with Worcester City runners-up in a much depleted field for Division 1. Longbridge are Division 2 champions and runners-up are Redditch 2.

League champions Redditch confirmed

6 Apr 2022. Halesowen had to withdraw from the Division 1 competitions because their venue was unavailable and there were too few dates to complete their fixtures. Games in their matches will be rated, but match results will not be counted in the Division 1 table. Worcester City were runners-up.

Worcestershire Squad promoted to Division 1

31 Mar 2022. Worcestershire Juniors were promoted to Division 1 of the online team competition. Congratulations to the team especially county junior players Eric Gregory and Cameron Henry and team managers Nigel Towers and Simon Berry.

Longbridge 2 clinch Division 2

23 Mar 2022. Longbridge 2 defeated Kidderminster 2 their nearest rivals to make sure of winning Division 2 and receiving an offer of promotion next season.

Redditch have new venue

1 Dec 2021. Redditch have had to move from their old venue , which is being refurbished, to Alvechurch and Hopwood Cricket Club.

GM Keith Arkell wins ECF online Senior Blitz GP

27 Nov 2021, Nigel Towers reports. Keith scored 143 points from his best six tournaments. There were nine rounds in total.

County player in Welsh European team in Solvenia

12-21 Nov 2021. Lee Davis (Malvern and Hereford) represented Wales, playing on boards 3 or 4 in the European Team Championships in Catez, Slovenia.

Dudley & District Chess League remains suspended

31 Oct, 2021John Fahy reports. Dudley & District Chess League has decided not to play this season. Consultation with clubs showed that they had already taken on sufficient commitments with other leagues to satisfy reduced demand for otb chess during the Covid epidemic.

County players win in Birmingham

17 Oct 2021. Joe Friar (Kidderminster) was first in the Major (u2000) Birmingham rapidplay on 5½/7 with Dustin Bowcott (Halesowen) half a point behind. Kidderminster players John Varilone and Mark Riley were mid-way in the Intermediate tournament on 3½/7.

WGM Katarzyna Toma

17 Oct 2021. Karazyna Toma, who played board 1 for Worcestershire, was second in the British Women's Championship. The event was won by Harriet Hunt.

Droitwich players join Worcester

30 Sep 2021. At Worcester’s delayed AGM it was agreed to invite Droitwich players to contribute to its league teams and that Worcester’s Division 2 team would be called "Worcester & Droitwich", captained by Ray Collett and normally playing its home matches at Worcester.

Temporary joint league formed.

14 Sep 2021. General meetings of Worcestershire CA and Worcester & District Chess League agreed to form a temporary joint league for the 2021-2 season because many players are reluctant to travel to matches while the Covid-19 epidemic was still raging. The officials of the temporary joint league are Paul Sharratt (General secretary, grading officer, safeguarding lead). A panel for resolving disputes was appointed: Secretary W&DCL, Andrew Farthing; President WCA, Ray Collett; Brian Turner and Stephen Woodhouse. The joint league rules included the following new rules: (1) Division 1 matches are played over five boards and Division 2 matches over four; (2) all registered players would be eligible to play on board 1 in Division 2, with the remaining 3 players having ratings below 1850; (3) the rate of play would be all moves in 50 minutes, with 20-second increments from move 1.

John Wrench on BBC Hereford & Worcester

9 Sep 2021. John was interviewed on air in Malcolm Boyden's programme.

Longbridge Chess Club established

25 Aug 2021. After losing their previous venue, the southern Birmingham club has relocated to the opposite side of the the road at the Austin Sports & Social Club. See more about the new club.

 

County teams in 2021-2

Worcestershire juniors in online team battle

6 Jun, Simon Berry reports. Although short on players, Worcestershire Squad finished third in Division 2 ahead of Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire, Surrey, and a team from Nottinghamshire.

Worcestershire lose to Cambridgeshire in the quarter finals

14 May. Worcestershire lost to Cambridgeshire 6½-5½ at the neutral venue in Dunchurch Village Hall, Rugby in the Minor Counties competition. See county team results.

Worcestershire Squad promoted to Division 1

31 Mar. Worcestershire Juniors were promoted to Division 1 of the online team competition. Congratulations to the team especially county junior players Eric Gregory and Cameron Henry and team managers Nigel Towers and Simon Berry.

County lose to Warwickshire at Wall Heath

19 Mar. The county was out-rated, but the final score was no disgrace 6½-9½. Worcestershire’s winners were Brian Turner (Malvern) and Ray Collett (Worcester). See match card. In spite of the loss, Worcestershire will probably be invited to play in the national stages. The date for the quarter finals is Sat 14 May.

Worcestershire correspondence team ends mid-table in international tournament

13 Mar, Stephen Woodhouse reports. Worcestershire finished sixth in Division 4 for the international States and Regions team tournament played on the International Correspondence Chess Federation server. Board 1 Stan Grayland was the team’s highest scorer. Stephen Woodhouse was team captain and the other members of the team were Brian Turner and Matthew Jordan.

Worcs u1650 lose out on board count to Warks

14 Nov. The first MCCU county match of the season ended in a 6 - 6 scoreline, but won on board 1 and won on tie-break. County players who won their games were: Arnold Kirkland (Droitwich, Bd 2), Steve Alcock (Stourbridge, Bd 5), Joel Mitchell (Longbridge, Bd 8), Matthew Rowe (Longbridge, Bd 10). See match details.

 

League News in 2021-2

Summary

The threat of Covid infection continued into the 2021-2 playing season, but at least it was possible to travel and limited over-the-board play returned to Worcestershire. At a joint meeting of the County League and the District League representatives agreed to form a temporary joint league with two divisions. There were five-board teams in Division 1 and four-board teams in Division 2. Players rated below 1850 were eligible to play in both divisions. A second division team was allowed to field one player only rated over 1850 in a second division match playing on top board. A slightly faster time control was agreed to allow time for sanitising at the end of a match and players, except those with medical exemption, were required to use face-covering, mask or visor when playing league chess. Division 1 comprised five teams: Halesowen, Kidderminster, Longbridge, Malvern, Redditch and Worcester City. Division 2 had 5 teams: Kidderminster, Longbridge, Redditch, Stourbridge and Worcester City. Teams played each other home and away in both Divisions. Both Longbridge and Halesowen teams in Division 1 had to withdraw part way through the season and games in any matches played by these teams were rated, but not counted in the Division 1 table. There was no team knock out competition and neither of the District league individual competitions for the Bennett or Ball Cups were played. The inaugural match for the joint league was a five board match in memory of Nick Harris, who died in the summer. Nick was a very strong and well-liked player had a regular place in two clubs’ elite teams: Stourbridge in the Birmingahm League and Worcester in the County League. Redditch 1 were league champions and Longbridge 2 won Division 2.

As it happened

More recent events at top.

13 Apr 2022. Final league fixtures completed. Redditch 2 beat Stourbridge in the final match of the league season. Redditch are league champions with Worcester City runners-up in a much depleted field for Division 1. Longbridge are Division 2 champions and runners-up are Redditch 2.

6 Apr. League champions Redditch confirmed. Halesowen had to withdraw from the Division 1 competitions because their venue was unavailable and there were too few dates to complete their fixtures. Games in their matches will be rated, but match results will not be counted in the Division 1 table. Worcester City were runners-up.

3 Mar 2022. Redditch 1 will be league champions. Redditch 1 defeated Worcester City to make certain of the league title.

30 Dec 2021, Steve Crees reports. Shock withdrawal of Longbridge 1 from Division 1. Unforeseen circumstances and a shortage of players with own transport has meant that club regretfully has to pull out of Division 1. The Division 2 team will continue.

28 Oct 2021. Division 2 first results. Stourbridge beat Longbridge and the new Worcester and Droitwich team drew with Kidderminster.

28 Oct 2021. Redditch move on the way. Redditch had to use alternative venues because of refurbishment of Alvechurch Sports & Social Club. 26 Oct 2021. League results on ECF League Management System. From this date, Worcestershire Chess League match results were entered on ECF League management website.

22 Sep 2021. League teams square up. Division 1 comprised five teams: Halesowen, Kidderminster, Longbridge, Malvern, Redditch and Worcester City. These teams play each other both home and away. Division 2 has 5 teams: Kidderminster, Longbridge, Redditch, Stourbridge and Worcester City.

Nick Harris memorial match

Match in progress at Worcester on September 16th with players taking precautions against Covid-19

16 Sep. Nick Harris Memorial Match Two ‘All Stars’ teams competed in the inaugural match of the 2021-2 league season at Worcester in memory of Nick Harris. Stourbridge, the visiting team strengthened with players from Kidderminster and Malvern, emerged victorious 3-2. Players used the new slightly faster time control 50 minutes plus 20 seconds increment adopted by the league. This led to some very brisk finishes and disasters with players yet to adapt to the new time control. A total of over £200 was collected for St Richard’s Hospice in Nick’s memory. See full results of match. Read more about Nick’s achievements as a player and author.

New joint league for 2021-2 season

7 Sep. An Extraordinary General Meeting of members at Droitwich extended for a further year the terms of current officers of the association. Later the same evening at a joint meeting, the county association and the district league agreed temporarily to run a joint league with five-board teams in Division 1 and four-board teams in Division 2. Players rated below 1850 will be eligible to play in both divisions. A second division team may not field more than one player rated over 1850 in a second division match and that player must play top board. A slightly faster time control was agreed to allow time for sanitising at the end of a match and players, except those with medical exemption, will be required to use face-covering, mask or visor when playing league chess in the 2021-2 season.

 

Division One 2021-2 Table

Redditch are league champions and Worcester City are runners-up

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Match Points
Redditch 1	6	5	0	1	17½	12½	10
Worcester City	6	3	0	3	15	15	6
Kidderminster 1	6	1	2	3	14½	15½	4
Malvern	6	1	2	3	13	17	4
Halesowen entered and played 4 matches, but their venue became unavailable because of refurbishment and they had to withdarw from the competition on 6 April. See results of the Halesowen matches below other matches played in Division 1.
Longbridge 1 entered and played one match before having to withdraw. Games were rated, but having completed fewer than half of their fixtures the match result was excluded from the table above. See results in that match below other matches played in Division 1.

 

2021-2 Division One news

More recent news at top

6 Apr 2022. Redditch certain to be league champions. Halesowen had to withdraw from the competition because their venue is being refurbished. The controller ruled that games in completed matches would be rated, but match results were void for division 1. With all fixtures between teams now complete, Redditch are League Champions.

9 Feb. Owing to the withdrawal of Longbridge 1 with fewer that half of their fixtures completed, the team was removed from the Division 1 table and the result of the one match played were excluded from Division 1. Games played in that match will be rated.

30 Dec Steve Crees reports. Longbridge have had to withdraw their team from Division 1 because of unforeseen circumstances.

1 Dec. Redditch have new venue at Alvechurch and Hopwood Cricket Club.

28 Oct. Redditch may have to use a temporary venue while the Alvechurch Sports & Social Club is refurbished.

30 Sep. At Worcester’s EGM it was agreed to invite Droitwich players to contribute to its league teams and that Worcester’s Division 2 team would be called "Worcester & Droitwich", captained by Ray Collett and normally playing its home matches at Worcester.

22 Sep. League teams square up. Division 1 comprised five teams: Halesowen, Kidderminster, Longbridge, Malvern, Redditch and Worcester City.

16 Sep. The league’s Inaugural League match in memory of Nick Harris featured teams led by captains from Worcester City and Stourbridge, the two clubs Nick has played with in recent seasons. The visiting team, Stourbridge All Stars, beat Worcester All Stars 3-2.

14 Sep 2021. Temporary joint league formed. General meetings of Worcestershire CA and Worcester & District Chess League agreed to form a temporary joint league for the 2021-2 season because many players are reluctant to travel to matches while the Covid-19 epidemic was still raging. The officials of the temporary joint league are Paul Sharratt (General secretary, grading officer, safeguarding lead). A panel for resolving disputes was appointed: Secretary W&DCL, Andrew Farthing; President WCA, Ray Collett; Brian Turner and Stephen Woodhouse.

 

Division 1 Fixtures 2021-2

Scores in the results column link to full match card

Dates	Division 1 Fixtures 2021-2	Result
Wed 20 Oct	Redditch 1 - Worcester City	3½ - 1½
Wed 3 Nov	Kiddermister 1 - Worcester City	2 - 3
Fri 12 Nov	Malvern - Redditch 1	2 - 3
Wed 15 Dec	Kiddermister 1 - Redditch 1	4 - 1
Thu 6 Jan	Worcester City - Kidderminster 1	3 - 2
Wed 12 Jan	Redditch 1 - Malvern	3½ - 1½
Fri 28 Jan	Malvern - Kidderminster 1	2½ - 2½
Wed 16 Feb	Redditch 1 - Kidderminster 1	3½ - 1½
Fri 18 Feb	Malvern - Worcester City	3 - 2
Thu 3 Mar	Worcester City - Redditch 1	2 - 3
Wed 16 Mar	Kidderminster 1 - Malvern	2½ - 2½
Thu 31 Mar	Worcester City - Malvern	3½ - 1½
	Rated matches
Tue 9 Nov ‡	Halesowen - Kidderminster 1	3 - 2
Thu 18 Nov †	Worcester City - Longbridge 1	3 - 2
Wed 2 Feb ‡	Kidderminster 1 - Halesowen	3½ - 1½
Tue 8 Feb ‡	Halesowen - Redditch 1	1 - 4
Tue 1 Mar ‡	Halesowen - Malvern	1½ - 3½
† Longbridge 1 had to withdraw after playing this match ‡ Halesowen had to withdraw late in the season because their venue was being refurbished. Team captains were: Halesowen - John Edge; Longbridge - Stephen Woodhouse; Malvern - Brian Turner; Redditch 1 - Dan Lambourne; Worcester City - Rob Sutton.

2021-2 Division 1

Board	Home team: Worcester City	Score	Away team: Malvern
1 2 3 4 5	Stephen Mellor Ray Collett Rob Sutton Scott Oxtoby Simon Berry	1 - 0 ½ - ½ 1 - 0 1 - 0 0 - 1	Lee Davis Brian Turner Roger Arriss Matthew Jordan John Chester
	Totals	3½ - 1½	Division 1 match played 31 Mar
Board	Home team: Kidderminster	Score	Away team: Malvern
1 2 3 4 5	Joseph Friar John Wrench Maurice Bissell David Spowart John Varilone	1 - 0 0 - 1 ½ - ½ ½ - ½ ½ - ½	Lee Davis Brian Turner Leigh Canham Matthew Jordan Kieran Lappin
	Totals	2½ - 2½	Division 1 match played 16 Mar
Board	Home team: Worcester City	Score	Away team: Redditch 1
1 2 3 4 5	Stephen Mellor Ray Collett Tony Shaw Rob Sutton David Cleak	½ - ½ 1 - 0 ½ - ½ 0 - 1 0 - 1	Nigel Hosken Dan Lambourne Harry Evans Mihai Zbircea David Smith
	Totals	2 - 3	Division 1 match played 3 Mar
Board	Home team: Malvern	Score	Away team: Worcester City
1 2 3 4 5	Lee Davis Brian Turner Ian Clarke Leigh Canham John Chester	0 - 1 1 - 0 ½ - ½ ½ - ½ 1- 0	Stephen Mellor Ray Collett Tony Shaw Arnold Kirkland Scott Oxtoby
	Totals	3 - 2	Division 1 match played 18 Feb
Board	Home team: Redditch 1	Score	Away team: Kidderminster 1
1 2 3 4 5	Nigel Hosken Dan Lambourne Harry Evans Mihai Zbircea David Smith	0 - 1 ½ - ½ 1 - 0 1 - 0 1 - 0	Joseph Friar John Wrench Maurice Bissell David Spowart John Varilone
	Totals	3½ - 1½	Division 1 match played 16 Feb
Board	Home team: Malvern	Score	Away team: Kidderminster 1
1 2 3 4 5	Lee Davis Brian Turner Ian Clarke Leigh Canham John Chester	1 - 0 1 - 0 0 - 1 ½ - ½ 0 - 1	Joseph Friar Maurice Bissell David Spowart Mark Riley John Varilone
	Totals	2½ - 2½	Division 1 match played 28 Jan
Board	Home team: Redditch 1	Score	Away team: Malvern
1 2 3 4 5	Daniel Lambourne Harry Evans Russell Scott Mihai Zbircea David Smith	½ - ½ 1 - 0 0 - 1 1 - 0 1 - 0	Lee Davis Brian Turner Ian Clarke Matthew Jordan George Charman
	Totals	3½ - 1½	Division 1 match played 12 Jan
Board	Home team: Worcester City	Score	Away team: Kidderminster 1
1 2 3 4 5	Stephen Mellor Ed Osbourn Ray Collett David Cleak John Hesketh	½ - ½ 1 - 0 1 - 0 ½ - ½ 0 - 1	John Wrench Maurice Bissell Mark Riley David Richardson John Varilone
	Totals	3 - 2	Division 1 match played 6 Jan
Board	Home team: Kidderminster 1	Score	Away team: Redditch 1
1 2 3 4 5	Joe Friar John Wrench Dave Spowart Mark Riley Dave Close	1 - 0 1 - 0 0 - 1 1 - 0 1 - 0	Nigel Hosken Dan Lambourne Mihai Zbircea Scott Russell Rob Bricknell
	Totals	4 - 1	Division 1 match played 15 Dec
Board	Home team: Malvern	Score	Away team: Redditch 1
1 2 3 4 5	Brian Turner Ian Clarke Leigh Cranham Matthew Jordan Kieran Lappin	½ - ½ ½ - ½ 1 - 0 0 - 1 0 - 1	Nigel Hosken Dan Lambourne Harry Evans David Smith Pawel Kohls
	Totals	2 - 3	Division 1 match played 12 Nov
Board	Home team: Redditch 1	Score	Away team: Worcester City
1 2 3 4 5	Nigel Hosken Dan Lambourne Harry Evans Mihai Zbircea David Smith	1 - 0 ½ -  ½ 1 - 0 1 - 0 0 - 1	Lewis Martin Ray Collett Phil Austin Arnold Kirkland Rob Sutton
	Totals	3½ - 1½	Div 1 match played 20 Oct
Board	Home team: Kidderminster 1	Score	Worcester City
1 2 3 4 5	Joseph Friar John Wrench James O’Dell David Spowart David Close	0 - 1 ½ -  ½ ½ -  ½ 1 - 0 0 - 1	Lewis Martin Ray Collett Phil Austin Arnold Kirkland Rob Sutton
	Totals	2 - 3	Division 1 match played 3 Nov
Longbridge had to withdraw after playing one match only. Halesowen had to withdraw from the competition late in the season because their venue was being refurbished. The controller ruled that games in these matches should be rated, but the match results removed from the Division 1 table.

Division Two 2021-2

Longbridge 2 were Division 2 champions: Kidderminster 2 were runners-up

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Match Points
Longbridge 2	8	5	2	1	19½	12½	12
Redditch 2	8	4	1	3	13½	18½	9
Kidderminster 2	8	2	3	3	17	15	7
Stourbridge	8	2	2	4	15½	16½	6
Worcester & Droitwich	8	2	2	4	14½	17½	6
Team captains: Longbridge 2 - Steve Crees; Kidderminster - David Close; Redditch - Dan Lambourne; Stourbridge - Paul Sharratt; Worcester & Droitwich - Ray Collett

 

2021-2 Division Two news

Most recent news at top

13 Apr 2022. Redditch completed the division’s fixtures with a win against Stourbridge.

31 Mar. Longbridge beat Kidderminster at home further increasing their lead.

23 Mar. Longbridge 2 make certain of winning Division 2 with an away win against nearest rivals Kidderminster 2. Longbridge cannot now be reached by Kidderminster, Stourbridge or Redditch. Redditch beat Worcester & Droitwich

2 Mar. Kidderminster climb above Worcester & Droitwich and Stourbridge drawing with Redditch.

10 Feb. Worcester and Droitwich lost to Longbridge making Longbridge leaders of the pack.

9 Feb. Kidderminster drew with Stourbridge to make a four clubs on 6 points and a pile up at the top.

27 Jan. Longbridge beat Redditch and join Worcester & Droitwich at the top with 6 match points each, but Longbridge have a game in hand.

19 Jan. Worcester & Droitwich lost to a youthful Kidderminster team led by Joe Friar, while Stourbridge leap into second place with a draw against Longbridge. The Division 2 tussle is beginning to look very interesting with the top two teams having fewer board wins than losses or fewer match wins.

13 Jan 2022. Bottom-of-table Redditch have a shock away win against division leaders Worcester. Redditch are now mid-table.

9 Dec 2021. Worcester & Droitwich beat Stourbridge to confirm their top-of-the-table position.

8 Dec. Stourbridge beat Kidderminster to join Worc & Droit at the top of the table.

25 Nov. Kidderminster whitwashed Redditch while Longbridge drew with Worcester & Droitwich

17 Nov. Redditch beat Stourbridge.

10 Nov. Another evening with two fixtures. Longbridge beat Redditch and Worcester & Droitwich go top with an away win over Stourbridge.

28 Oct. Stourbridge beat Longbridge and Worcester & Droitwich drew with Kidderminster to start the season in Division 2.

28 Oct. Redditch may need to use alternative venues because of refurbishment of Alvechurch Sports & Social Club

22 Sep 2021. Division 2 format. Division 2 has 5 teams: Kidderminster, Longbridge, Redditch, Stourbridge and Worcester City and teams played home and away.

2021-2 Fixtures Division 2

Scores in the results column link to full match card

Dates	Division 2 Fixture	Result
Thu 28 Oct	Longbridge 2 - Stourbridge	1 - 3
Thu 28 Oct	Worcester & Droitwich - Kidderminster 2	2 - 2
Wed 10 Nov	Redditch 2 - Longbridge 2	½ - 3½
Wed 10 Nov	Stourbridge - Worcester & Droitwich	1½ - 2½
Wed 17 Nov	Stourbridge - Redditch 2	1½ - 2½
Wed 24 Nov	Kidderminster 2 - Redditch 2	4 - 0
Thu 25 Nov	Longbridge 2 - Worcester & Droitwich	2 - 2
Wed 8 Dec	Stourbridge - Kidderminster 2	3 - 1
Thu 9 Dec	Worcester & Droitwich - Stourbridge	2½ - 1½
Thu 13 Jan	Worcester & Droitwich - Redditch 2	1½ - 2½
Wed 19 Jan	Stourbridge - Longbridge 2	2 - 2
Wed 19 Jan	Kidderminster 2 - Worcester & Droitwich	3 - 1
Thu 27 Jan	Longbridge 2 - Redditch 2	3½ - ½
Wed 9 Feb	Kidderminster 2 - Stourbridge	2 - 2
Thu 10 Feb	Worcester & Droitwich - Longbridge 2	1½ - 2½
Wed 2 Mar	Redditch 2 Kidderminster 2	2 - 2
Wed 23 Mar	Redditch 2 - Worcester & Droitwich	2½ - 1½
Wed 23 Mar	Kidderminster 2- Longbridge 2	1½ - 2½
Thu 31 Mar	Longbridge 2 - Kidderminster 2	2½ - 1½
Wed 13 Apr	Redditch 2 - Stourbridge	3 - 1

2021-2 Division 2

Board	Home team: Redditch 2	Score	Away team: Stourbridge
1 2 3 4	Andrew Whitten Jamie Steward Toni (A) Reed Tony Rimmington	1 - 0 0 - 1 1 - 0 1 - 0	Christopher Evans Joe Conway-Lees Steve Alcock Greg Parkes
	Totals	3 - 1	Div 2 match played 13 Apr
Board	Home team: Longbridge 2	Score	Away team: Kidderminster 2
1 2 3 4	Gavin Cartwright Phil Maddocks Robert Davies Joel Mitchell	1 - 0 ½ - ½ ½ - ½ ½ - ½	David Spowart Mark Riley John Varilone Terry Pountney
	Totals	2½ - 1½	Div 2 match played 31 Mar
Board	Home team: Kidderminster 2	Score	Away team: Longbridge 2
1 2 3 4	Maurice Bissell Mark Riley David Richardson Cameron Henry	0 - 1 1 - 0 ½ - ½ 0 - 1	Kevin Hurney Phil Maddox Anthony Boyle Robert Davies
	Totals	1½ - 2½	Div 2 match played 23 Mar
Board	Home team: Redditch 2	Score	Away team: Worcester & Droitwich
1 2 3 4	Andrew Whitten Giles Stanton Anthony Rimmington Bob (R) Carter	0 - 1 1 - 0 ½ - ½ 1 - 0	Tony Shaw Arnold Kirkland David Cleak Scott Oxtoby
	Totals	2½ - 1½	Div 2 match played 23 Mar
Board	Home team: Redditch 2	Score	Away team: Kidderminster 2
1 2 3 4	Andrew Whitten Jamie Steward Toni (A) Reed Bob (R) Carter	1 - 0 0 - 1 1 - 0 0 - 1	Mark Riley David Close Terry Pountney Cameron Henry
	Totals	2 - 2	Div 2 match played 2 Mar
Board	Home team: Worcester & Droitwich	Score	Away team: Longbridge 2
1 2 3 4	Phil Austin Arnold Kirkland David Cleak Scott Oxtoby	0 - 1 0 - 1 ½ - ½ 1 - 0	Marcus Walsh Gavin Cartwright Phil Maddocks Andy Tipper
	Totals	1½ - 2½	Div 2 match played 10 Feb
Board	Home team: Kidderminster 2	Score	Away team: Stourbridge
1 2 3 4	John Wrench Mark Riley Cameron Henry Luke Pender	1 - 0 0 - 1 1 - 0 0 - 1	Paul Sharratt Hossam Aboushady Steve Alcock Greg Parkes
	Totals	2 - 2	Div 2 match played 9 Feb
Board	Home team: Longbridge 2	Score	Away team: Redditch 2
1 2 3 4	Kevin Hurney Ian Truscott Matthew Rowe Robert Davies	1- 0 ½ - ½ 1- 0 1 -0	Andrew Whitten Jamie Steward Giles Stanton Kevin Day
	Totals	3½ - ½	Div 2 match played 27 Jan
Board	Home team: Kidderminster 2	Score	Away team: Worcester & Droitwich
1 2 3 4	Joe Friar Dave Spowart Cameron Henry Luke Pender	1 - 0 1 - 0 0 - 1 1 - 0	Ray Collett Rob Sutton Arnold Kirkland David Cleak
	Totals	3 - 1	Div 2 match played 19 Jan
Board	Home team: Stourbridge	Score	Away team: Longbridge 2
1 2 3 4	Hossam Aboushady Chris Evans Ron Evans Ben Doran	½ - ½ 1 - 0 ½ - ½ 0 - 1	Phil Maddocks Tony Boyle Joel Mitchell Robert Davies
	Totals	2 - 2	Div 2 match played 19 Jan
Board	Home team: Worcester & Droitwich	Score	Away team: Redditch 2
1 2 3 4	Ray Collett Arnold Kirkland David Cleak Simon Berry	½ - ½ ½ - ½ ½ - ½ 0 - 1	Andrew Whitten Giles Stanton Toni Reed Tony Rimmington
	Totals	1½ - 2½	Div 2 match played 13 Jan
Board	Home team: Worcester & Droitwich	Score	Away team: Stourbridge
1 2 3 4	Ed Osbourn Robin Hayles Arnold Kirkland David Cleak	1- 0 ½ - ½ 0 - 1 1 - 0	Julie Wilson Eric Horwell Steve Alcock Ben Doran
	Totals	2½ - 1½	Div 2 match played 9 Dec
Board	Home team: Stourbridge	Score	Away team: Kidderminster 2
1 2 3 4	Hossam Aboushady Chris Evans Joe Conway-Lees Reece Cottam	1 - 0 1 - 0 1 - 0 0 - 1	David Spowart Mark Riley Dave Close Terry Pountney
	Totals	3 - 1	Div 2 match played 8 Dec
Board	Home team: Longbridge 2	Score	Away team: Worcester & Droitwich
1 2 3 4	Phil Maddocks Joel Mitchell Andy Tipper Matthew Rowe	0 - 1 1 - 0 0 - 1 1 - 0	Arnold Kirkland David Cleake Simon Berry Scott Oxtoby
	Totals	2 - 2	Div 2 match played 25 Nov
Board	Home team: Kidderminster 2	Score	Away team: Redditch 2
1 2 3 4	Mark Riley Alan Preece Terry Pountney Cameron Henry	1 - 0 1 - 0 1 - 0 1 - 0	Giles Stanton Alan Rimmington Bob Carter Michael Crane
	Totals	4 - 0	Div 2 match played 24 Nov
Board	Home team: Stourbridge	Score	Away team: Redditch 2
1 2 3 4	Eric Horwill Joe Conway-Lees Greg Parkes Reece Cottam	½ - ½ 0 - 1 1 - 0 0 - 1	Giles Stanton Toni Reed Anthony Rimmington Mark Crane
	Totals	1½ - 2½	Div 2 match played 17 Nov
Board	Home team: Stourbridge	Score	Away team: Worcester & Droitwich
1 2 3 4	Julie Wilson Joe Conway-Lees Sam Green Michael Green	½ - ½ ½ - ½ 0 - 1 ½ - ½	Ray Collett Rob Sutton Arnold Kirkland David Cleak
	Totals	1½ - 2½	Div 2 match played 10 Nov
Board	Home team: Redditch 2	Score	Away team: Longbridge 2
1 2 3 4	Jamie Steward Toni Reed Anthony Rimmington Bob Carter	0 - 1 ½ - ½ 0 - 1 0 - 1	Phil Maddocks Andrew Whitten Matthew Rowe Robert Davies
	Totals	½ - 3½	Div 2 match played 10 Nov
Board	Home team: Longbridge 2	Score	Away team: Stourbridge
1 2 3 4	Phil Maddox Andrew Whitten Matthew Rowe Brian Allsop	½ - ½ ½ -  ½ 0 - 1 0 - 1	Julie Wilson Paul Sharratt Eric Horwill Steve Alcock
	Totals	1 - 3	Div 2 match played 28 October
Board	Home team: Worcester & Droitwich	Score	Away team: Kidderminster 2
1 2 3 4	Robn Hayles Rob Sutton David Cleak Simon Berry	½ - ½ ½ - ½ ½ - ½ ½ - ½	Mark Riley Alan Preece John Varilone Terry Pountney
	Totals	2 - 2	Div 2 match played 28 October

2021-2 Rated match news

16 Sep The inaugural match in the temporary joint league was played in memory of Nick Harris at Worcester. The two "All Stars" teams comprised players from Worcester City, captained by Ray Collett, and across the county captained by Paul Sharrat. The teams honoured the fact that Nick was a consistent player for Worcester City in WCA matches and for Stourbridge in BDCL matches. The Stourbridge teanm appropiately in cluded players from Malvern and Kidderminsterin recognising the high esteem Nick was held in other Worcestershire clubs .

30 Dec 2021, Steve Crees reports. Shock withdrawal of Longbridge 1 from Division 1. Unforeseen circumstances and a shortage of players with own transport has meant that club regretfully has to pull out of Division 1 and earlier matches were removed from the Division 1 table.

6 Apr. Halesowen had to withdraw from the Division 1 competitions because their venue was unavailable and there were too few dates to complete their fixtures. Their earlier matches were removed from the Division 1 table.

 

2021-2 Rated matches

Scores in the results column link to full match card

Dates	Harris Memorial match	Result
Tue 13 Sep	Worcester All Stars - Stourbridge All Stars	2 - 3
Dates	Fixture	Result
Tue 9 Nov	Halesowen - Kidderminster 1	3 - 2
Thu 18 Nov	Worcester City - Longbridge 1	3 - 2
Wed 2 Feb	Kidderminster 1 - Halesowen	3½ - 1½
Tue 8 Feb	Halesowen - Redditch 1	1 - 4
Tue 1 Mar	Halesowen - Malvern	1½ - 3½

 

2021-2 Rated matches

Earliest matches at top

Nick Harris Memorial match
Board	Home team: Worcester All Stars	Score	Away team: Stourbridge All Stars
1 2 3 4 5	Stephen Mellor Phil Austin Robin Hayles Phil Smith John Hesketh	1 - 0 0 - 1 1 - 0 0 - 1 0 - 1	Brian Turner Julie Wilson Paul Sharratt Hossam Aboushady John Varilone
	Totals	2 - 3	Played 16 Sep
Board	Home team: Halesowen	Score	Away team: Kidderminster 1
1 2 3 4 5	John Edge David Cooper Manvith Sandu Paul Evans Peter Banks	½ - ½ ½ - ½ ½ - ½ ½ - ½ 1 - 0	Joe Friar David Spowart Mark Riley David Close John Varilone
	Totals	3 - 2	Played 9 Nov
Board	Home team: Worcester City	Score	Away team: Longbridge 1
1 2 3 4 5	Martin Lewis Stephen Mellor Ray Collett Phil Austin Rob Sutton	1 - 0 1 - 0 0 - 1 0 - 1 1 - 0	kevin Hurney Marcus Walsh Stephen Woodhouse Gavin Cartwright Steve Crees
	Totals	3 - 2	Played 18 Nov
Board	Home team: Kidderminster 1	Score	Away team: Halesowen
1 2 3 4 5	Joe Friar John Wrench David Spowart Mark Riley John Varilone	1 - 0 0 - 1 ½ - ½ 1 - 0 1 - 0	John Edge Stewart Fishburne David Cooper Robert Grimes Luke Cowan
	Totals	3½ - 1½	Played 2 Feb
Board	Home team: Halesowen	Score	Away team: Redditch 1
1 2 3 4 5	John Edge Luke Cowen Peter Banks Tony (AT) Taylor Joyce Evans	½ - ½ ½ - ½ 0 - 1 0 - 1 0 - 1	Nigel Hosken Dan Lambourne Harry Evans Mihai Zbircea Andrew Whitten
	Totals	1 - 4	Played 8 Feb
Board	Home team: Halesowen	Score	Away team: Malvern
1 2 3 4 5	John Edge Manvith Sandhu Tony (AT) Taylor Anthony Stokes Peter Banks	½ - ½ ½ - ½ 0 - 1 ½ - ½ 0 - 1	Lee Davis Brian Turner Ian Clarke John Chester George Charman
	Totals	1½ - 3½	Played 1 Mar