Lancaster 'A' V Morecambe

A great tussle

Morecambe didn't need this result to go their way to win the league (this was already in the bag), but it capped their domination of the league title this year - a title they richly deserve. I didn't get a chance to see any of the games until my own had ended - an error-strewn but hugely fun encounter from which Alan emerged with the deserved full point, having taken advantage ruthlessly of my speculative and deeply unsound piece sac, and finished beautifully. He resurfaces from the covid pandemic revitalised, and showing little rustiness - welcome back Alan! I understand that Niko and Sean's game to'd and fro'd a great deal, before Sean reversed the result of their encounter earlier in the season. And John and Danny took their game into a rook and bishop endgame, when Danny blundered his bishop whilst pressing for the win. He still had enough momentum with his well-placed king and advanced pawns to cause John to offer a draw, and thereby ensure the match went Morecambe's way. Just as well, as with Dave in deep time trouble, Glenn refused a repetition of position in an inferior position in pursuit of a win, and Dave played with impressive speed and accuracy to equalise on time, win a piece, promote a pawn, and ultimately mate Glenn with just seconds to spare. Dave tells me this was his first win against Glenn in about 20 attempts, spread over a couple of decades. An outstanding result, against an outstanding player who fights tenaciously in every game, and who rarely cedes control of a single square, let alone a full point!

Barry Hymer