One down, two to go

Division 1

• The A Team 2.5-2.5 CS Lewis Lions
• Bangor Groomsport 1.5-3.5 QUB 1
• Muldoons 1 3-2 Ballynafeigh 1

The A Team and the CS Lewis Lions were neck-and-neck going into this week's play, and that's how it remained after they drew their match. QUB 1 kept up the pressure on leaders Muldoons 1 with a 3.5-1.5 win over Bangor Groomsport, while Ballynafeigh 1, without David Houston, fell to a 3-2 defeat against the leaders. The champions have only been able to play Houston and Scannell together twice so far this season, and unless they can start doing so more regularly it's difficult to see them making much headway.

Division 2

• Ballynafeigh 2 4-1 Muldoons 2
• Kelly's Heroes 1.5-3.5 CS Lewis Witches

There was better news, though, for their second team as they convincingly defeated Muldoons 2 4-1 (and only a time-trouble blunder from Eoin Carey against Pat McKillen stopped them from getting a whitewash). Combined with the defeat of Kelly's Heroes by the CS Lewis Witches, this puts the Ormeau Road side at the front of the Strawbridge Cup chase. NICS vs Fruithill was postponed.

Division 3

• QUB 2 3-2 Ballynafeigh 3
• Andrew's Army 4.5-0.5 Ballynafeigh 4
• Bangor Wannabees 3-2 QUB 3

QUB 2 beat Ballynafeigh 3 to stay on top of Division 3, but after out-rating their opponents by well over 300 points per board, they will have wanted a more convincing margin of victory than 3-2. Indeed, there were a couple of upset of the season contenders as Derek Truesdale (1011) beat Bernard McCaughey (1425) and Paul Anderson (793) conquered Chris Roe (1196). Andrew's Army closed the gap by blowing away Ballynafeigh 4, with only Callum Houghston conceding a draw (to Pawel Otocki). QUB 3 remain bottom after losing 3-2 to the Bangor Wannabees.

Standings