Horsham 3

Horsham (3) 1.5 -- Worthing (2) 3.5
Our defeat against a strong Worthing team (who now finish 3rd) means only a win in our final game against Woodpushers 1 next Wednesday will see us take the league title as champions.
Game results were :
(153) Chris Heath draw Peter Larwood (167)
(150) Nick Warren 0 - 1 Rakesh Nair ((163)
(150) Bob Lanzer draw Nick Skinner (158)
(146) John Marshall 0 - 1 Cassie Graham (138)
(143) Mick Harris draw David Wallis ( 117)

Tune in same time next week to see the outcome of our thrilling season !

Time and tide wait for no man....
A trip to Hove for a crunch match, provided a sensational evening. This was the final match of the season for Brighton 2. With 6.5 points from 7 games, a win would see them become League champions with promotion to Division 1 as the prize.
Horsham 3,unbeaten with 5/5, were warmly welcomed,as familiar faces settled down to battle it out. Brighton significantly out-graded Horsham on every board (see teams below).
Mick tried a sacrificial attack, but excellent defence trapped his queen - and Horsham were 1 down.

Horsham 3 had a 4.5 -- 0.5 win against Lewes 2 last Tuesday. Admittedly we had a grading advantage on all boards, but the team played well and secured our 5th win of the season.
We have a tough run-in of games to come, but we have secured our position in Division 2.
Individual results are:
(159) Tim Pavlovic 1 - 0 A Mitchell (140)
(153) Chris Heath 1 - 0 M Britnell (137)
(150) Bob Lanzer 1 - 0 M Davies-Arai (135)
(150) Nick Warren draw D Badham (132)
(146) John Marshall 1 - 0 A Mayer (120)

During your correspondent's extended break, Horsham 3 powered to two more comprehensive wins.

Argumentatives 1.5 -- 3.5 Horsham. Wins on top and bottom boards and three draws secured our
victory. Despite being outgraded on the top 3 boards, Roy Page won a fine game against Peter Farr (179), Chris Heath easily held Jim Graham (166) and Nick Warren drew with Paul Kington (152).

Horsham 3 recently hosted Brighton and Hove 3 and despite being caught offside on a couple of occasions, ran out 3-2 winners. Ian and Nick, both with the Black pieces, were outplayed to leave us 0 - 2 before half time.
The second half was hard fought and saw Tim and Chris, both with the White pieces -- and almost identical attacks following their Closed Sicilian openings -- slowly gain ground. Chris won a piece late on, and Tim turned a solid draw into an excellent win. 2-2

Horsham 3 travelled to Hastings (29 Oct) and beat their 3rd team by 3 -2.
Excellent wins for Paul Taylor & Nick Warren and a great result for Horsham. Full results are:

(165) J Wheeler 0 - 1 Paul Taylor (166)
(158) P Kelly draw Ian Comley (165)
(E150) M Bryant 1 - 0 Roy Page (155E)
(132) D Cosens 0 - 1 Nick Warren (152)
(134) J Hudson draw Mick Harris (148)

Horsham 3 gained a welcome 4-1 win over local rivals East Grinstead 1 to ease their league position dilemma, and move clear of the relegation zone.

Nick Warren set us on our way with a sparkling miniature, before Tim Pavlovic and John Marshall secured the match with excellent wins.

Full results:
Ian Dennis (153) draw Chris Heath (151)
Adrian Waldock (136) draw Mick Harris (141)
Dave Simpkins (126) 0 - 1 Nick Warren (143)
Grau Christian (115) 0 - 1 John Marshall (140)
Suzanne Marshall (84) 0 - 1 Tim Pavlovic (147)

In a crucial Division 2 match, Horsham 3 lost to the Argumentatives last Tuesday 3 - 2. This leaves both teams towards the foot of the table with 2 points each and 2 games to play. The only win came from The Args top board, Peter Farr graded185. The remaining 4 games were drawn. Full result:
Chris Heath (151) 0 - 1 Peter Farr (185)
Mick Harris (141) draw Jim Graham (170)
Nick Warren (143) draw Paul Kington (145)
John Marshall (140) draw Dennis Collard (107)
Richard Moorhouse (144) draw Mike Garson (100)

In awful weather conditions we made our Friday night excursion to Eastbourne,where we met highly graded opponents,who gave us a sound beating.
All games were still going after 2 hours – showing a valiant fighting spirit – but we were material down in every game.
Richard Moorhouse gained us our only score – shortly before Chris Heath finally resigned as time was called.
My thanks to all players, especially the drivers, who met driving wind and rain, hidden water deluges and road closures and diversions on the way home.

Horsham 3 won a second match within 5 days. This time against a spirited Worthing side who gained some valuable grading points. John Marshall and debutante Tim Pavlovic provided us with victories, whilst the top 3 boards drew.
Our next match will be away to Eastbourne 1at the end of January.
Full match details are:
Chris Heath (146) draw David Chilvers (135)
Mick Harris (146) draw Cassie Graham (125)
Nick Warren (143) draw David Wallis (126)
John Marshall (144) 1 - 0 Keith Guinness (113)
Tim Pavlovic ( 140e) 1 - 0 Phil Crompton (112)