After 7 years of hurt, the Cordon Trophy was returned to it’s rightful (?) home.
The Bedford A team of Mindaugas Beinoras (4/4), Steve Ledger (4), Mike Botteley (3) and Paul Habershon (3½) were too good for second place Leighton Buzzard (13). Milton Keynes A and Bedford E were third equal.
Other performances of note that came to my attention were (apologies for the ones I missed):-
- Bedford E(!) with Neil Cannon (ex-BMS and Bedford) scoring 2.5 on top board
- the Cox’s – 7½/16
- James Gardner, Callum Shields, Ben Pike, Gabriel Martinez Piero – 3
- Ben’s father – ½ (the new season promises much!? )
Detailed results may be found here
An excellent season opener with 12 teams (48 players and a dog) from 5 different Bedfordshire League clubs. The ensuing chaos was ably controlled by Adrian Elwin as ever. The Bedford venue works very well for this event and the new 10 minute plus 5 second increment time control is an improvement in my opinion.
One game that the loser was trying to forget has been contributed by Graham Borrowdale – impressively he sent it to me from memory without sight of board or computer , “.. for our mutual embarrassment” – I have marked his comments GB, mine are with the benefit of silicon assistance.
Pictures from our own Tony Lawrence paint the scene (no captions required!):-
Bedford E were originally placed fourth, due to a erroneous result, but actually finished third equal – very well done them!