Horsham reach knockout final

The Horsham Knockout team have reached the knockout final for the second year in succession after a 2.5-2 win over Crowborough in the semi-final. The match was a tight affair with the teams fairly close on grading, Horsham conceding only a half point handicap with 2.5 points required for the win.

Jonathan Taylor got the ball rolling with a win on bottom board but Crowborough hit back straight away on board 2 against Ian Comley. Mark Broom executed a superb attack on board 1 against Jon Lawrence to put Horsham back in the lead. This left us needing a draw on board 3 to win but with Daniel Miller a pawn down defending a difficult rook ending. Some excellent endgame technique from Daniel secured the draw putting us through to the final where we will face either Lewes, the reigning champions or Uckfield.