SCCU U2050: Surrey 8-8 Essex – 14 board match, contested games 7-7.
At Cheam. All square in Cheam today. Surrey creamed the top half, but Essex managed to equalise lower down. The two Essex wins in the top half – games given on the U2050 page – were both comfortable and early (among the first three results – Board 9 the other), so it was a big surprise that Surrey won all the other top half games, against the ratings. Essex strength in depth squared the equation.
SCCU U1650: Essex 8½-7½ Surrey – 12 board match, contested games 6½-5½.
At Wanstead. Another close encounter. A debutant for Essex on 11 wins it, Jay handling his clock like an old pro before smashing through the kingside just after the time control was reached. (Mark Murrell.)
Links: U2050 page | U1650 page | Aggregate stats (Website Trophy)