A roundup of matches to date (latest at the top).
There is a slightly staggered appearance to the SCCU calendar for once, resulting from several more fixture changes than usual. Matches normally paired on the same date (e.g. Essex v Middx at U1850 and U1450) are now, for various reasons, split. The overall fixtures calendar can be found on the Teams page, link below.
Played 25 October 2025: SCCU U1850 Essex 8-8 Middx at Wanstead. Skipper Alan Riddoch found a welcome strengthening of the upper order for this team due to a raft of U2050 players, whose ratings had dropped below 1850, all making themselves available. These players, however, contributed just ½/4 – a baptism of fire! – yet their presence enabled the Essex tail to wag. Essex held a two point lead at 7½-5½ and needed just one point from the last three games in play. Middx pulled back one point on Board 4, which had looked dicey for Essex for some time, but the other two games held the prospect of two halves and a narrow Essex match win. Ian Reynolds’ N+P ending was level until two moves before the end when it fell Middx’ way; 7½-7½ with just Neville to come. This was a rook and minor piece ending, with an imbalance typical for Neville’s games, with both players in their last minute ‘playing on increments’. Neville went a piece up, but had to return it to relieve pressure on his cornered king, after which the tension in the position eased and a draw was agreed to finish the match all square.
Played 11 October 2025: SCCU U1450 Essex 7½-4½ Middx at Wanstead. The scoresheet reveals a neat division of the spoils, Middx winning the top four boards 3-1, Essex winning the bottom four boards 3-1. Essex completed a convincing victory, however, in the ‘engine room’ – Boards 5-8 – where they cleaned up by 3½-½ for a three point margin at 7½-4½.
Played 4 October 2025 (2):
SCCU 2050 Kent 7-9 Essex at St Mary Cray. Away to Kent at St Mary Cray always seems a tricky fixture, but this is not borne out by Essex’ results. Since 2021-22 (when Kent moved their home venue from Dartford to St Mary Cray) Essex had chalked up three convincing victories and a draw. This sequence was extended by Essex’ fourth away win, by 9-7, the only “tricky” element being the weather in the outer reaches of storm Amy, particularly on the Dartford crossing.
SCCU U1650 Middx 13-3 Essex at Child’s Hill, North Finchley. The rating difference of a mere 16 points in Middx’ favour seemed to suggest a close match, but Middx, including five new faces, made best use of Home advantage to win by a landslide 10 point margin.
Links: U2050 | U1850 | U1650 | U1450 | County Classical | Teams page | SCCU on ECF LMS