Congratulations to Widnes . After a period of consolidation following their promotion from Division 3 they have now moved on smoothly up to the top flight and with the potential for some new recruits they could even make their mark amongst the elite.

In the end they won by a comfortable 5 points from Hoylake but as ever this does not tell the full story and their two encounters were fearfully close. The first was 4-3 to Widnes with the result decided by a rook ending on the final board and in the second, and ultimately decisive, match the score was the same but the last two games seemed to be very comfortably won endings for Hoylake that somehow ended in draws. Victory turned to defeat for Hoylake and it was season over. They will surely be back in contention next year.

Southport had a poor first half of the year but their form in the second half was championship class with 12 points out of an available 14 since Christmas. If they can keep this level of consistency going then they will also be up there next season.

Atticus 3 enjoyed a remarkable turn round and had a storming end to the campaign. At the half way mark they were joint bottom and a long relegation battle seemed to be their only prospect but some new blood and some new spirit meant a comfortable mid table place in the end.

Promoted Atticus 4 were too near the bottom for comfort at Christmas but a settled squad and a steady nerve kept them away from trouble. A fine first season in Division 2.

Wallasey C probably exceeded their own expectations. They already had enough points at the half way mark to fend off relegation and although they did not do as well in the second half (losing their Board 1 to the first division did not help) they were never in a position to worry and will be back to fight again in 2005/06.

Wallasey B on the other hand will be disappointed with their performance this season and a finish of second from bottom was not what they would have expected. Being behind their ‘junior’ team will only spur them on to greater efforts next year.

EEC had, I am afraid, a pretty miserable season and after being joint bottom at New Year, faded very badly and only picked up two more points. Their adverse board difference tells the story. A season in the third division should give them time to regroup and perhaps come back stronger.

In my Christmas update I gave my forecasts of how I thought the teams would finish, as follows

1.                  Widnes 1

2.                  Hoylake 1

3.                  Wallasey B

4.                  Southport 1

5.                  Atticus 4

6.                  Wallasey C

7.                  Atticus 3

8.                  EEC

Well I got the top two, the 5^th, 6th and the bottom teams right but did not anticipate Wallasey B’s decline or Southport’s and Atticus 3’s famous recoveries. At least it raised some debate and I have now been dubbed Mystic Meg within Wallasey!

The Player of the Year award was won splendidly by Dave Tebb of Hoylake. He played on Board 1 throughout and his final score of 11½/14 was all the more praiseworthy when one considers that he lost his first game of the season and was only on 1½ points after three matches. He then never lost and charged through at the end.

Commiserations to Luke Boumphrey (Atticus 4) (10½/14) who was the leader for a long time and was only caught by Dave towards the end of the season. Mal French also came through well towards the latter stages with some fine performances and also finished on 10½/14. The full list of those who achieved 6 points or more is attached.

Thanks as always to those Captains who returned their results cards or e-mailed the results promptly (those who didn’t know who they are!).

Also thanks to those who gave positive feedback about the website – it’s always nice to know that people look at it!

See you next season.

Division 2 Controller