Horsham 1 are poised to defeat Hastings 1 following a successful performance last Tuesday. The score was 2-1 on the night, with a result not agreed in the games Mansson - Howell and Almond - Higgs. In both cases Horsham has at least a draw. Subsequent examination of the final position in Mansson - Howell indicated that it was a book draw, but we still await a final verdict on Almond - Higgs.
The top board encounter Sugden - Lock saw Black adopt the Stonewall against White's passive line with e3, and he seemed to hold the draw easily enough.