Wimborne C v Southbourne C

Wimborne C had already won the division whilst Southbourne C needed a draw to avoid relegation and a 2½ - 1½ defeat would mean a play-off match with Highcliffe C as both teams would then have the same match points and game difference.

Early on Graham H had won a pawn on move 6 on board 3 with a good position whilst Mike J had sacrificed a knight for 3 pawns on board 2 with interesting play. At the half way stage, Nathaniel had been playing well on board 1, cleverly sacrificed his rook for a knight on f3 with an irresistible attack, which Miichael could only repel by sacrificing back but the endgame a pawn down with an open king position looked bleak for Michael and he could not hold despite valiant attempts. 1 - 0 to Wimborne.

On board 3, Graham swapped off into a bishop endgame a pawn up but his bishop had become bad and the extra pawn could not be converted so a draw was agreed, More or less at the same time on board 2, Peter found a sharp attacking plan on the kingside which won at least a pawn and he soon won.

With the overall score now level at 1½ - 1½ it looked as though Wimborne C would win the match as, on board 4, where both players had been playing well, John, had an opportunity at the end where he could be the exchange up in a R v B endgame but a miscalculation meant the endgame was an equal R + P endgame and a draw was agreed.

An entertaining match. Thank you to the Wimborne C players for their kind hospitality and many congratulations for winning the Division 3 title, remaining undefeated all season.