With a few fewer strong players in the club this year it was always going to be difficult for Macclesfield in both leagues. Despite a good showing in the first round of the Charnley Cup, Macclesfield have yet to score a victory in either of the leagues. On the 6th of November, Macclesfield managed half a point against a wily Fenton side.
Macclesfield | 0.5 - 3.5 | Fenton |
C. Gartside (1885) | 0 - 1 | G. Acey (2054) |
J. Trier (1816) | 0 - 1 | A. Richardson (2019) |
P. Cattermole (1807) | 0 - 1 | S. Hill (1821) |
A. Brough (1753) | 0.5 - 0.5 | S. Emmerton (1564) |
In the Stockport Division 2 on the 13th of November, Macclesfield B team had a much stronger showing than in round 1, but sadly weren't able to get over the line.
Macclesfield B | 2 - 3 | East Cheshire B |
G. Laurence (1753) | 0.5 - 0.5 | J. McKie (1744) |
T. Moitié (1674) | 0.5 - 0.5 | D. Taylor (1609) |
D. Lobo (1641) | 0 - 1 | S. McCall (1590) |
M. Fothergill (1500) | 0 - 1 | E. Cooke (1476) |
D. Barnes (1500) | 1 - 0 | K. Hodgson (1322) |
And back in the NSDCA on Tuesday the team travelled to Crewe, where Joachim recorded an excellent win against a strong opponent, but it was unfortunately not enough to record a victory for the team.
Crewe B | 1 - 3 | Macclesfield |
L. Farringdon (2049) | 0 - 1 | J. Trier (1816) |
C. Barwick (1854) | 1 - 0 | P. Cattermole (1807) |
S. Layhe (1912) | 1 - 0 | Geoff Laurence (1708) |
C. Pereira (1825) | 1 - 0 | A. Brough (1753) |
The Club Championship and Pomeroy Cup has picked up pace. Carl started his campaign with a win against Ant, whilst Ant has taken a win from Geoff. Tom has put his first points up on the board with a draw against Joachim.
With wins against Brian, Dan and Jenny, Marcus has made his way to the top of the leaderboard in the Pomeroy Cup. Denzil is also yet to lose, so will Marcus be able to maintain the lead?
The B team took an unexpectedly lopsided 5-0 loss at the hands of Urmston's B team on Monday. Urmston played very well. On the top board Alex played very solid against Tom's shaky Slav Defense, culminating in an impressive queen trade that exploded the king-side, leaving Tom with an impossible endgame. Marcus had the best chance of a result, but after refusing a draw offer he unfortunately dropped a pawn and played with disadvantage through to the end.
Macclesfield B | 0 - 5 | Urmston B |
Tom Moitié (1674) | 0 - 1 | Alex Robinson (1676) |
Denzil Lobo (1641) | 0 - 1 | Mark Davis (1599) |
Jake Darlington (1559) | 0 - 1 | Lee O (1572) |
Marcus Fothergill (1500) | 0 - 1 | Huw Davenport (1400) |
Dan Barnes (1500) | 0 - 1 | Paul Wild (1198) |
In the Club Championship, Geoff (with the white pieces) and Joachim faced off in a fascinating battle that ultimately resulted in a locked out board, with neither wanting to allow the other to make progress.
Next week Macclesfield will be welcoming Fenton's A team for a match in the NSDCA Division 1.
Macclesfield started off their NSDCA Division 1 campaign on Thursday 19th October, with a journey to face Holmes Chapel, who sent out a team of four very capable players. Unfortunately due to unavailability, Macclesfield had to send a much weaker team than usual with two relative newcomers in the team in Marcus and Tom. Non-the-less, Macclesfield put up an excellent fight, and the 4-0 result in the favour of the home side belies four very close fought games.
Holmes Chapel A | 4 - 0 | Macclesfield |
Michael Hancock (2029) | 1 - 0 | Geoff Laurence (1708) |
Patrick Bennett (1969) | 1 - 0 | Anthony Brough (1753) |
John Turner (1947) | 1 - 0 | Tom Moitié (1674) |
John Ewens (1938) | 1 - 0 | Marcus Fothergill (1500) |
Macclesfield also kicked off the SDCL Division 1 campain on Wednesday 25th October with a visit to East Cheshire. Marcus provided Macclesfield with the only win of the night on board 6, whilst Carl fought a very strong opponent in FM Alexander Longson for a draw.
East Cheshire A | 4 - 2 | Macclesfield A |
Alexander Longson (2350) | 0.5 - 0.5 | Carl Gartside (1885) |
Thomas Jones (2028) | 1 - 0 | Joachim Trier (1816) |
Geoffrey Brindle (1976) | 0.5 - 0.5 | Geoff Laurence (1708) |
Jim McKie (1744) | 1 - 0 | Tom Moitié (1674) |
Tudor Rickards (1692) | 1 - 0 | Denzil Lobo (1641) |
Steve McCall (1590) | 0 - 1 | Marcus Fothergill (1500) |
Meanwhile, at the club, Dan started his Pomeroy Cup campaign with a win against Brian, and Tom found a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against Geoff under some time pressure, kicking off the club championship in earnest.