Mark Murrel reports on another Essex double.
SCCU U2050: Surrey 7-9 Essex
At Cheam. The U2050 team became the first qualifier for the ECF Counties Championships with two matches to spare after a steady-as-she-goes away win against Surrey at Cheam; and its still November!
Only Kent and Middlesex can now catch run away leaders Essex if they win their remaining matches but have each other to play, so they cannot both achieve that feat. In the other match, Middlesex defeated Kent on the last board to finish to bring all of the chasing pack level on 2 points, 6 points adrift.
Full report in the U2050 page, link below.
SCCU U1650: Surrey 6½-9½ Essex
At Cheam. 3-0 down after 20 minutes was a scoreline that would have been remarkable out in Qatar let alone Cheam! It took another hour or so for the next results to come in and come in they did. Six wins almost on the bounce of the next seven to finish to give Essex the 3 point lead with six to play. The next five to finish shared the spoils and the last of which – an Essex win – was enough to win the match after 3½ hours play, 3 up with 1 to play. Four hours after that whirlwind start, a draw in the last game to finish maintained the 3 point winning margin.
Links: U2050 page | U1650 page | Aggregate stats | SCCU on ECF LMS