`The roses have faded, there’s frost at my door, the birds in the morning don’t sing anymore`.
Macc C `borrowed` a couple of players from the not-so-forbidden tree and were able to stop the haemorrhaging of points from the top order. Unfortunately this couldn’t stop the hybrid team from being unceremoniously dumped out of the Presidents Cup at Marple. First up was Marc being Marc thrusting his pawns onwards with lines so sharp it was like watching a laser cut through butter. David P was having none of it though and when the debris was checked it looked to be all things equal until Marc blundered a piece 0-1. On my other side, an equalising blunder by Alan and his dancing horses allowing Denzil a bishop fork of Queen and King (when will someone gift me a game)? 1-1. Next to be ground down was Tom on board 5, beaten by Chris, a consistent player 34 grading points higher. Tom will return to winning ways soon of that I am certain. We now needed 1 ½ points to progress by board elimination. Ant was holding firm with the black pieces against Paul on top board whilst Man with Hat was not. I had made a complete hash of the opening (AGAIN)! On the plus side, MWH had shown resourcefulness a plenty in order to be last man standing. It’s a very lonely place to be surrounded by the baying mob and this was Man with Hat’s second successive year at this venue trying in vain for a win that was only ever achievable theoretically. A stylish finish from MWH as he pirouettes off his chair knocking all of the remaining pieces over. Just time to find my King, pick it up again to put it down before congratulating my opponent Andy on his worthy victory.
I can hear the dulcet tones of Mrs Hat `Get over it`!