IT SEEMS ROOKIE HAD A COUPLE OF ACES UP HIS SLEEVE

Here is Rookies report of clinching the second division. It seems he had a couple of aces up his sleeve in the persons of Stephen Morgan and Graeme McCormick?

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1.STEPHEN MORGAN 1-0 STEPHEN RUSH
2.GRAEME MCCORMICK 0.5-0.5 ALAN THOMASON
3.J.MCKENNA 0.5-0.5 ROBERT LAVERY
4.CHRIS ARMSTRONG 1-0 EOIN CAREY
5.WILLIAM STOREY 0-1 SIRAJ TIRIPATU
TOTAL 3-2
+ BONUS 5-2

Congratulations on winning the John Strawbridge Cup, the Division Two trophy, chaps and on keeping our 20-match unbeaten record with one game to go!

But Damien Cunningham, Dennis Wilkinson and all the lads from Ballynafeigh 3 were very sporting in defeat and were an example to Ulster chess players generally!

Let me tell you a “storey”-William graciously gave his opponent a “tiripatu” on the back after losing a close game( yes, it is a “tiri”ble pun)!

Comeback king Graeme “Count” McCormick didn’t like the “tenor” of my remarks when he initially turned down a draw offer but he wisely took a draw next move!

When told Stephen won an exciting game on Board One, there was a “rush” of people in to check which one while the losing Stephen made a “rush” for the door!

At 1.5-1.5 all, we need a draw to win the league and a point to stay unbeaten. Like the film title, “McKenna’s Gold” when it comes to getting what the captain wants as he got the draw to win the title!

Finally, at 2-2, with our unbeaten record on the line, Chris’s opponent felt on his “eoin” with so many home supporters but he adopted this “see if I carey” attitude but his massive attack was halted when he blundered his rook and the game to “good in a crisis” Chris!

Don’t forget to come along on Monday night’s social evening where I hope to have the trophy for photos,etc.;also, email me over the weekend whether you’re available for either of next week’s matches on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

We only need a draw at home to Ballynafeigh 2 to get fourth place on Wednesday and a draw on Tuesday away to Ballynafeigh 4 to finish the season undefeated!

Martin Kelly (Captain, Kelly’s Heroes)

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