The Rugeley match was a 3-1 win to the visitors.  Stafford took an early lead when Sumit Raisinghaney was able to win his young opponents queen with a good combination.  Rugeley equalised on board 2.  Peter Evans playing white in the French Defence Exchange Variation left his queen in front of his king too long.  Black won material with a bishop, queen and rook combination forcing Peter to resign. 

David Barker lasted a little longer on board 3, until the Rugeley player achieved an unstoppable passed pawn on the a file, while Ken McNulty on board 1 blundered a piece for a pawn in the early stages of the game and despite having an outside passer as compensation, was never able to recover from the piece deficit. 

It was closer at Mercia, 2.5 - 1.5.  We expected to be one player short, but Sumit was able to come along at short notice to achieve our only win.  Again he was able to win his opponents queen and a mating attack followed.  James Topp played well in the early part of the game, but with attacking chances on both sides his queen was lured out of position and the a winning attack followed.

Peter always struggled against in his game. The centre and queenside were locked up with no chance of either player progressing.  The Mercia board 2 then attacked on the king's side and although Peter thought he had cleared the danger he overlooked a winning attack.

Andrew Leadbetter played a steady game against the Mercia secretary on board one and the draw was the only possible result.