Going into February, our first, second and third teams were top (or joint top) of Divisions 2, 3 and 5 respectively, whilst our fourth team were keen to continue their impressive form in Division 5. NB. In Divisions 2-5, the top two teams at the end of the season are promoted.
Overall, it turned out to be a pretty good month for the club with six wins and two losses from the eight matches played.
First team (Division 2)
The first team (P10 W5 D3 L2 Pts13) played two matches in February, beating Grantham 2 by a score of 3.5-0.5 before losing 3-1 to promotion favourites, and long-time Division 1 stalwarts, Ashfield 1. That defeat saw both Ashfield 1 and Beeston 1 leapfrog RB1 who ended the month in third place, a point off the top.
Second team (Division 3)
The second team (P11 W7 D1 L3 Pts15) also won one, lost one in the month. A 2.5-1.5 win against Central 1 teed up a proverbial “4-pointer” with promotion rivals University 2. Unfortunately, the students won 3-1 leaving RB2, like the first team, in third place but with all still to play for.
Third team (Division 5)
There were no slips ups by the third team, however. A 3-1 win against Gambit 7 was followed by a 4-0 victory over Beeston 2. This left RB3 (P9 W8 L1 Pts16) on the verge of promotion to Division 4 for the first time since the 1998/99 season.
Fourth team (Division 5)
After two defeats in January, the fourth team returned to winning ways, beating Newark 3 by a score of 2.5-1.5 and Gambit 7 by 3.5-0.5. Those wins saw RB4 (P10 W5 D1 L4 Pts11) end the month in a very respectable third place.
Rockets (Minor League)
Radcliffe Rockets (P5 W2 L3 Pts 4) compete in the Minor League against three other teams of beginners and improvers, mostly junior players. Matches are played to shorter time controls than the main league, with each person playing his or her opponent twice, once with the white pieces, once with black. In February the Rockets were beaten 8-4 by the youngsters from West Nottingham New Brooms.
Overall Results
Played 40, Won 25, Drawn 5, Lost 10, Match points 55 (2 points for a win, 1 for a draw). Individual game points (1 point for a win, 0.5 for a draw) are 100.5 for, 59.5 against, producing a ‘goal difference’ of +41.
All match results can be viewed via the ‘League’ link on the RBCC website’s main menu.