URP vs Lewes RP

We had our first match of the season, in the Rapid Play League at least, on 13th November at our club session.  I did not for obvious reasons announce much of this before the match, but we were drawn in this first game against last year’s champions Lewes, with whom although we drew 2-2 last year I knew we would have one of our toughest matches of the season, which is why I chose an experienced team. If anything they fielded a stronger team this year, and although we lost the match, it was much closer than the 1-3 loss suggests. At the Uckfield Junior session last Friday I went through the games of Benedict on Board 1 and Charlotte on Board 4 with them, and they both now appreciate they actually had good winning opportunities, which I am sure is also the case for Hugo on Board 2;  Oliver’s game on Board 3 is not worth much examination as he won, except maybe for him to remember and others as a great example and inspiration for future matches, as he was playing an experienced Sussex player and our top player in Uckfield described Oliver’s play as “faultless” and “really promising”, even suggesting he could play in our adult second team as he showed such maturity.  All of our players were out-graded, which is again something I do not normally announce beforehand, and in any event gradings are for a moment in time and usually months out-of-date for juniors.  Oliver’s opponent is graded 48 higher than Oliver, and it made no difference on the night.  Incidentally it was great to see Harry Haynes at the match, as he was able to soak up the atmosphere and the format;  he even managed to play some of the other experienced adult members and it looks like he will now be joining the club as a junior member, an invitation which is still open to all.  Saxon also attended as he usually does as a junior member.