Latest News
26.4.07
Pontypool B third place is confirmed
North Gwent A defeated Newport Rooks by 3.5 points to 0.5. Since Newport Rooks were the only team capable of catching Pontypool B, this result means that Pontypool can celebrate third place and an excellent season, finishing just outside the promotion places.
There are still a few games left to play in the division, and the title is not yet decided, so a full second-division summary will follow after these games are completed.
21.4.08
First Division Summary
Final Positions:
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
Adj
|
GP
|
MP
|
|
Abergavenny A
|
18
|
15
|
1
|
2
|
|
50
|
31
|
|
Monmouth A
|
18
|
12
|
2
|
4
|
|
48.5
|
26
|
|
Cwmbran Crows
|
18
|
12
|
2
|
4
|
|
48
|
26
|
|
Cwmbran Rooks
|
18
|
10
|
3
|
5
|
1
|
41.5
|
23
|
|
Newport B
|
18
|
9
|
2
|
6
|
1
|
36.5
|
20
|
|
Pontypool A
|
18
|
7
|
3
|
8
|
|
35.5
|
17
|
|
Malpas A
|
18
|
6
|
3
|
9
|
|
30
|
15
|
|
Newport A
|
18
|
4
|
3
|
11
|
|
29.5
|
11
|
|
Abergavenny B
|
18
|
2
|
2
|
14
|
|
20.5
|
6
|
|
Malpas C
|
18
|
1
|
2
|
15
|
|
19
|
4
|
Abergavenny A are the deserved league champions, having lead more or less from the start of the season. Abergavenny B and Malpas C are relegated.
Pontypool A finish 6th. For the first half of the season only the two relegated teams scored less points than us, but just as last season our second half was much better, with only 3 teams scoring better than us. Mid-table is therefore about right, although it would be nice to perform all season as we did in the second half. Along the way we beat both Monmouth A and Cwmbran Crows, and held Abergavenny A to a draw. Unfortunately we were also one of the two sides that lost to Abergavenny B.
Ian White finished with a tremendous +5 score, and scored the most points (11) . He also played the most games (17). An excellent performance on the top board.
Chris Dixon also had a plus score (+1), and lost just 3 of 15 games (8 draws), scoring 8 points.
Richard Batey played 12 games, winning 3, and scoring 5 points.
David Cleverley continued to improve, and by the end of the season was playing above Mike Kilner in board order. He played 16 games, with 5 wins (second only to Ian) scoring 6.5 points.
Mike Kilner played 6 games, winning 1 (2.5 points). Mike also played games for the B-team.
Of the other B-team players who stood in to cover player shortages as required, Phil Smith scored a win and two draws from 5 games, and Colin Jeffries a draw from a single game.
Thanks to everyone for your efforts through the season.
17.4.08
Match result: Malpas C: 1 , Pontypool A: 3
A nice finish for us against the bottom side. Ian and David achieved the expected wins against lower-rated opponents, and Chris and Richard were content with a draw each to finish the season. Pontypool finish 6th (of 10 teams) in the division, and despite earlier fears, were never in serious danger of relegation.
09.4.08
Match result: Abergavenny B: 0.5 , Pontypool A: 3.5
Pontypool were already assured of safety from relegation before this match, and having to play the two already relegated sides last was good for the confidence. Nonetheless, this was an excellent team performance. Ian won quickly, and then Mike picked up his first win of the season in the top division. Chris had a messy-looking game resulting from a speculative sacrifice by Terry Hill, but Terry went wrong in the complications. David took a draw in another complex position, with neither player having much time remaining.
03.4.08
Match result: North Gwent A: 4 , Pontypool B: 0
The last game of the season for the B-side, and not a match that we expected to win, but the score is perhaps a little unrepresentative of the match as a contest. Brian Hill was always losing, and Phil made an early slip in a razor-sharp King's Gambit line, but Mike and Brian Hogg held out against much stronger opposition for a long time, losing only to inaccuracies in the ending. North Gwent A overtake us in the table, and will be promoted, along with Monmouth B. Pontypool will probably finish third.
27.3.08
Match result: Pontypool A: 1.5 , Cwmbran Crows: 2.5
Very nearly another excellent point for us, against one of the favourites for the league title. Mike had a quick draw, standing in for Chris, and Ian continued his good season with an excellent win on the top board. Unfortunately, neither Richard of David were able to hold off their stronger opponents this week, and we went down to a narrow loss.
20.3.08
Match result: Pontypool A: 2 , Abergavenny A: 2
Pontypool achieved what very few teams have managed this season, and avoided defeat against the league leaders! Ian lost on board 1, but Chris and Richard both held significantly higher-rated opponents to draws, and David earned us a share of the points with a nicely conducted attack on board 4. The traditional second half of the season revival seems to be on once again!
13.3.08
Match result: Newport Dragons: 3 , Pontypool B: 1
Pontypool's chances of finishing in the top two places took another blow on our second visit to Newport in a fortnight. The Dragons were very strong on the top boards, and Pontypool were not helped when Mike blundered a piece on move 11, resigning shortly afterwards. Phil lost to a first division player, and although Brian Hogg dispatched Newport's strong junior, Colin wasunable to hold his game. Pontypool are now down to second in the table.
06.3.08
Match result: Pontypool A: 3.5 , Newport A: 0.5
Newport A seemed to have some problems with the availability of their stronger players, and turned up with a weaker team than expected. Pontypool took full advantage, starting with Ian's excellent win on top board over Robert Taylor. Chris conceded a draw on board 2, but Richard and David won against lower-rated opposition. These were much-needed points for Pontypool.
28.2.08 - Two results
Match result: Newport B: 2 , Pontypool A: 2
A respectable draw for Pontypool. Ian and Richard had good wins, but Chris was unable to hold off Paul Hatchett, and David went wrong in the ending in a game that he might have drawn. Overall a draw was probably a fair result for both sides, and Pontypool should be happy with a point against a team higher up the table.
Match result: Newport Rooks: 3 , Pontypool B: 1
A strong Newport Rooks team outgraded the B-side heavily on the top three boards. Colin scored an excellent point for us, but Phil, Lyn and Brian Hill were unable to muster a point. A deserved win for Newport, which dents our promotion hopes.
14.2.08
Match result: North Gwent B: 1 , Pontypool B: 3
Pontypool go top of Division 2! North Gwent A and Monmouth B have games in hand, and must still be favourites to win the division, but the Pontypool team is keeping the pressure on. North Gwent B defaulted a board, so when Bob lost from a level middle game the scores were even, but Phil and Mike were always in control of their games and the result wasn't really in much doubt.
13.2.08
Match result: Cwmbran Rooks: 1, Pontypool A: 3
A brilliant result for the A team, winning away against a significantly stronger Cwmbran team. Ian and David had excellent wins: Ian gaining revenge for his loss on time earlier in the season, David winning when outgraded by more than 300 points!. Chris, and stand-in Phil Smith took solid draws to seal the match win.
07.2.08
Match result: Pontypool B: 2.5 , Newport Eagles: 1.5
The B team continued their excellent season with another solid win. Phil lost on board 1, where the competition is always toughest, but wins from Lyn and Brian Hogg on the lower boards put us in charge, and Colin's draw gave us the points. A nice win, as Pontypool were outgraded on the top 2 boards.
The league table for Division 2 (on 23.1.08):
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
Adj
|
GP
|
MP
|
|
North Gwent A
|
9
|
5
|
3
|
1
|
|
26
|
13
|
|
Monmouth B
|
8
|
6
|
0
|
2
|
|
20.5
|
12
|
|
Pontypool B
|
9
|
5
|
1
|
3
|
|
19.5
|
11
|
|
North Gwent B
|
9
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
|
16.5
|
9
|
|
Newport Rooks
|
8
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
|
16.5
|
8
|
|
Malpas B
|
9
|
1
|
3
|
5
|
|
12.5
|
5
|
|
Newport Dragons
|
9
|
1
|
2
|
5
|
2
|
12
|
4
|
|
Newport Eagles
|
7
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
10.5
|
4
|
23.1.08
Match result: Pontypool B: 2 , Malpas B: 2
A draw was a fair result in a match that could have gone either way. A strong Malpas lineup took the lead when Lyn's run of good form came to an end with a blunder. Colin got us on the board with his second draw in 2 days. Mike was lost almost straight out of the opening, and lost a piece, but mistakes by his opponent gave him a huge counter-attack. Mike reached a winning position (still a piece down), but then failed to find the final, decisive king move, and instead accepted his opponent's draw offer. Phil Smith salvaged the point by steadily gaining an advantage on the board and on the clock, and brought the point home to draw the match.
22.1.08
Match result: Malpas A: 2.5 , Pontypool A: 1.5
With two players unavailable, a communications mix-up meant that David Cleverly wasn't selected either when he was available. So it was a much weakened Pontypool team that faced Malpas. Accordingly, a single point defeat is not a bad result for us, with Ian, Chris and stand-in Colin Jeffries all getting good draws. Abergavenny B and Malpas C also lost, so we remain 4 points clear of relegation.
17.1.08
Match result: Pontypool B: 1.5 , Monmouth B: 2.5
Pontypool's brief hopes of promotion more or less ended with this result. Mike had a quick draw on board 1, but Phil had the worst of a King's Gambit and lost too many pawns. That put us one down. Lyn did well to hold a worse ending against Megan Owen, and Brian Hogg showed determination in holding on to a lost position with his opponent in time-trouble. A draw was finally agreed in both games. Better than we might have expected, having been outgraded on every board, but still a loss for us.
11.1.08
Match result: Monmouth A: 1 , Pontypool A: 3
A fantastic start to the New Year for the A team, with an entirely unexpected win away at Monmouth. Our opponents didn't have their strongest side out, but neither did Pontypool. We had some luck, too. Phil Smith's opponent dropped a piece in the opening and resigned generously early. Then Chris, in an ugly looking position, was gifted a queen. That left Mike, in a level position, and Ian, two pawns down, to try to hang on for a draw to win the match. Mike blundered a piece at the time control, but his opponent missed it, whilst Ian defended brilliantly. Both games were drawn.
The league table for Division 1 (on 11.1.08):
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
Adj
|
GP
|
MP
|
|
Abergavenny A
|
10
|
9
|
0
|
1
|
|
28
|
18
|
|
Monmouth A
|
10
|
6
|
2
|
2
|
|
26.5
|
14
|
|
Cwmbran Crows
|
9
|
6
|
2
|
1
|
|
24.5
|
14
|
|
Cwmbran Rooks
|
9
|
6
|
2
|
1
|
|
23.5
|
14
|
|
Newport A
|
10
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
|
21
|
9
|
|
Newport B
|
10
|
4
|
1
|
5
|
|
18
|
9
|
|
Malpas A
|
10
|
3
|
2
|
5
|
1
|
18
|
8
|
|
Pontypool A
|
10
|
3
|
1
|
6
|
|
15.5
|
7
|
|
Abergavenny B
|
10
|
1
|
1
|
8
|
|
9.5
|
3
|
|
Malpas C
|
10
|
0
|
2
|
8
|
1
|
10.5
|
2
|
12.12.07
Match result: Pontypool A: 1.5 , Abergavenny B: 2.5
A bad night for us, as Abergavenny's bottom boards played very well, picking up two wins. Chris had to agree a draw in a complicated position after a tense game, so despite Ian getting yet another win, Abergavenny deservedly took away the points.
05.12.07
Match result: Pontypool B: 3 , Newport Dragons: 1
Mike quickly played out a boring draw on board 1, largely by exchanging everything in sight as soon as possible. Then Brian Hogg blundered his queen, but somehow escaped with a draw! However, with the white pieces, Brian Hill converted a slightly superior ending with a neat knight fork, and Lyn ground out an ending with an extra piece. A good win for us, and we're up to second in the table now. Promotion might be a possibility.
29.11.07 - Two results
Match result: Pontypool A: 0 , Monmouth A: 4
A four-nil defeat for the A side might not have been unexpected beforehand against a strong Monmouth side, but afterwards we were disappointed not to have got something out of the match. Monmouth played well and deserved their points.
Match result: Pontypool B: 3 , North Gwent B: 1
A match that could have gone either way. Pontypool went two up with Brian Hogg's comfortable win against a junior, and Lyn Holland winning a piece. Then Colin missed a check in a good position and found himself on the wrong end of a forced mate, and Mike left a rook en-prise. Luckily, his opponent missed it, and he held on to win a pawn ending. North Gwent were a bit unlucky.
22.11.07 - Two results
Match result: Cwmbran Crows: 2.5 , Pontypool A: 1.5
A defeat, but a really great performance from the A side, with Ian White leading from the front with a great victory over Ioan Rees. Richard provided excellent support with a good draw against Dave Perrett, but neither Chris nor David were able to get the final half point that we needed to share the spoils.
Match result: Malpas B: 0.5 , Pontypool B: 3.5
A resounding win for the B side, possibly helped by the fact that Malpas' board 1 was stuck in traffic in Maidenhead in Kent, and so they were forced to field a weakened team. Mike, Phil Smith, and Lyn all picked up wins, whilst Colin drew.
15.11.07
Knockout Cup news
Pontypool Under 1500 team have a bye in the first round of the cup. Good luck in your quest to win the trophy for the third year in a row, boys.
08.11.07
Match result: Newport A: 3.5 , Pontypool A: 0.5
A tough night for us. Chris did well to get a draw on board 2, but Newport played well and secured a deserved win. A disappointing result for Pontypool.
01.11.07 - Two results
Match result: Pontypol A: 2 , Newport B: 2
Solid draws for Ian and Richard gave us a good start, with Chris picking up a win to put us in front. Unfortunately, in the last game to finish David missed a trick in a complicated tactical position and Newport clinched a deserved draw.
Match result: Pontypool B: 2.5 , Newport Rooks: 1.5
The B side returned to form with an excellent win. Bob Stanworth dropped out at the last minute for us, with the excellent excuse that he had only returned from Germany an hour before the game, so Mike Kilner stepped in. Lyn won quickly with a nice attack, but then Brian Hill blundered in a good position against young Luke Kostansjek to make it 1-1. Colin's game was never anything but a draw, but Mike ground out a pawn ending to win the match.
25.10.07 - Two results
Match result: Pontypool B: 0 , North Gwent A: 4
Oringinally scheduled as being against North Gwent B, the B side couldn't make it, and so the A side filled in and fixtures were rearranged. North Gwent A were a first division outfit last season, and they outgraded us hugely on every board. Pontypool players did what they could, but the result was never in doubt.
Match result: Pontypool A: 1 , Cwmbran Rooks: 3
Ian White's adjourned game from the first match of the season was both a disaster and an anticlimax. A piece up against John Thornton, and in a good position, Ian forgot about his clock, and lost on time.
18.10.07
Match result: Pontypool A: 2.5 , Malpas A 1.5
Another good win for us against the strongest of the Malpas teams. This despite Mike Kilner losing in just 12 moves (!) to Harry Duff. This seemed to motivate the rest of the team, with Ian and Richard winning on the top boards, and David sealing the result with a draw.
10.10.07
Match result: Malpas C: 1.5 , Pontypool A: 2.5
A first win of the season for the A side thanks to Chris Dixon's win from a bad position as his opponent got into time trouble. The other games were all closely fought and finished as draws, with Phil Smith recovering from a bad position to deny Malpas a share of the points..
05.10.07
Match result: Monmouth B: 3 , Pontypool B: 1
An extremely strong Monmouth side were too much for us, outgrading us on every board. However, Lyn Holland pulled off an excellent win on board 4 to give us something from the trip.
27.09.07
Match result: Newport Eagles: 1 , Pontypool B: 3
The second team got off to a winning start away in Newport, with wins on the bottom three boards for Bob Stanworth, Colin Jeffries and Lyn Holland. Phil Smith was unlucky to make it two losses in two days for him.
26.09.07
Match result: Abergavenny A: 3 , Pontypool A: 1
Our tough start to the season continued away at Abergavenny. With both Richard and Mike unavailable, Phil Smith stepped in, and David Cleverly moved up a board. Two good draws on the top boards gave us something, but Abergavenny were too strong on boards 3 and 4.
13.09.07
Match result: Pontypool A: 1 , Cwmbran Rooks (B): 2
A tough start to the new league season for us against a stong Cwmbran second team. The first surprise of the day was that Cwmbran have changed their team names: Cwmbran B are now Cwmbran Rooks, and Cwmbran A are now Cwmbran Crows.
Anyway, Pontypool were outgraded on every board, but fought hard, and David Cleverly pulled off an excellent win against Steve Williams to get us our first point of the season. Richard Batey and Mike Kilner both went down fighting, but Ian White's game has been adjourned with Ian a piece up! A win for Ian would mean a match draw, and be a great result for us.