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This may mean small changes like confirming you want to view a HTTP site like the ECF site (regarded as "not secure").
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On a day when record February temperatures were recorded, Macc C turned up the heat on their Division 3 rivals with victory in a bruising encounter at the Queens Hotel. First to return was Marc on Board 4. Marc was happy to play the Dutch but so was his opponent Tony D and a draw was agreed. Behind me John A seemed to be in trouble against Marple’s rookie with Paul sticking his pieces behind John’s frontline. Next time I squeezed past to have a look the dogged and determined Mr Astley had won a piece and Macclesfield’s man of the season, Mr 100% Stockport League was on course for yet another win. To my left Tony was in fine form, a good performance against Neil and just a ½ point required now to secure a vital win. Could the old school chums actually win together on the same night? A confident start from Man with Hat although he missed a chance to play a prepared move. I failed to capitalise on a good start and the assured Tony Kay started to turn the screw but then a poor move let me in and MWH was winning. A howler from Tony and the full point was wrapped up a lot sooner than it should have been. A personal achievement this as it was a first win against my opponent in 4 attempts. Joachim was left on top board against Chris for the baying mob and was arguably unlucky not to hold on to a ½ point as the mob surveyed the wreckage well into the night. A special thank you to Joachim who cut short his skiing holiday, cycled to Calais, swam the English Channel and ran up to Macclesfield especially for the match. Two games still to play against pre-season favourites Worsley and these will have a massive bearing on the final table. Will the class of 2018/19 return the Division 3 title to its spiritual home? Tune in and turn on. A big thank you and well played to our old foes from Marple. My own personal nightmare has ended (unbeaten in 3) and peace and serenity has returned to the Hat household. Mrs Hat and I will be at Blackpool next weekend and Mrs Hat will be entertaining and signing books in the foyer. Finally, a big welcome to the club to James and Martin. I am sure that James will be an excellent signing and Martin, I know from my time at Buxton, to be a larger than life character with an infectious and pervasive love of the game.
Mighty Macc C powered clear of their rivals last night after a hard-fought win at home to Northenden. All the pre-match talk was of the newly revised gradings. Readers of this Blog will not be too surprised to learn that Man with Hat’s grading has fallen off the edge, through the floor and ended up in the bowels of the earth’s crust. Meanwhile the eager Northenden team were sat down and ready to roll at 7pm. First to finish was Marc against Andrew. Would Marc be tired from his efforts the previous day at the Stockport Rapidplay? Nope, Marc played a beautiful game forcing all of Andrew’s pieces onto a corner of the back 2 ranks before playing cat and mouse and winning. Next to finish was MWH and the game had opened up nicely for me after the ladies were exchanged in the middle of the board. A winning endgame was apparent and I wasn’t going to let Anthony back. MWH has a rep for using up every second on his clock but tonight he still had 20 minutes. Add to this Anthony’s 1 hour and it was a rare opportunity to chill, relax and escape to the bar. As I sat down with Anthony, the Northenden team one by one joined us. A nice touch and it certainly brought a smile to the face of Zoe the landlady. Young Liam, elevated to top board for Northenden must have been pleased with a solid half against a higher graded player in Francis. Dad Des failed to match his son’s endeavours though losing out to Tom’s runaway pawn. The only loss to the Macc Lads being Tony’s defeat to Neil. A piece down early doors, Tony tried to use his compensatory pawns to engineer a passed pawn but it was not enough to stop a confident Mr Oddie. On returning home, MWH told his tale of glory, of bravery and a lion’s heart. Mrs Hat put down her croquet and turned instead to another 2,088 hours of recorded Gotham box sets showing an appalling nonchalance towards her other half’s heroics. A big thank you for Northenden for a thoroughly enjoyable night and we look forward to the return match in March.