Macc C's unbeaten run continued last night. Despite being heavily outgraded on every board by a mindboggling 198 aggregate and 33 mean average the Macc lads returned with what could be a critical point come the end of the season.
So many trips to the Hyperbole Hypermarket last season that I practically emptied the shelves but this performance was out of this Universe. Man with Hat is not one to go on and on and on but we were heavily outgraded on every board with their lowest graded player 12 points higher than our highest graded etc etc. Having picked Altys pocket back at the ranch, was it too much to hope that we could leave enemy territory with some reward?
The pre-match talk in the Altrincham camp was whether or not we could expect the eagerly awaited clash of Tony Lane v Tony Lane. Alas, not this time as our Tony Lane was unavailable. First to declare on the night was young Tom who was unable to overcome a 50 points grading difference going down to the wily Bill Mac. Most brilliant performance of the night came from Marc who obliterated his opponent`s king-side defences. Marc left the room and came back to see the Alty veteran’s king had been laid down to signal that he knew the inevitability of the next few moves. 1-1 and our Pete offered a draw to Tony Lane (their Tony Lane not ours – keep up Ed). Tony then had a long look at the other boards (wow Alty were taking this seriously for real- some people eh). A draw was agreed. Then the performance of the night from Joachim who overcame a 41 points difference to put us ahead. More games like that and his 95 rating will soon disappear. I had tried to take a peek at the finish of Joachim’s game but ESP dragged me back to my own board where I had a solid position against Reg. Ant had drawn the short straw of the night playing a solid opponent who had already this season accounted for both Man with Hat and the Kool Kat. As Ant’s position slowly worsened I made a draw offer at an appropriate moment that was accepted by the Altrincham skipper.
3-3 and an unexpected point. The dream lives on.
Thanks to Altrincham for 6 great games played in a friendly spirit.