You are here: Home Archives Ulster Chronicles 2016-2017 Season UCU Web 2016 Ballynafeigh 1 pull clear after QUB slip up

Ballynafeigh 1 pull clear after QUB slip up

(B&D League 2016/17 Week 7) Ballynafeigh 1 extended their lead in the race for the Silver King after a convincing win against The A Team. Not only that, but they got some help from their second team who pulled off an unlikely comeback to defeat QUB 1.

Division 1

 

  • QUB 1 2-3 Ballynafeigh 2
  • The A Team 1-4 Ballynafeigh 1

 

QUB 1's Silver King aspirations took a blow as they were beaten narrowly by Ballynafeigh 2. The night got off to a good start for the university side as Callum Ormerod weathered an attack from Robert Lavery, emerging with a won endgame. After Mikhail Pavlov beat John Masterson in a back-and-forth game, the Ulster Champion Stephen Rush restored the home side's lead at the expense of John O'Doherty. The situation looked good for QUB 1 in the two remaining games, with Ian Woodfield having a material advantage and the attack against Eoin Carey and Fawaz Alkhateeb having a seemingly nailed-on draw against Chris Kelly. This didn't last, though, as Carey fought his way back into the game and capitalised on an endgame blunder to take the win, before another mistake from Alkhateeb allowed Kelly to secure the bonus points for the visitors. The next night at the Bankers' Club, Ballynafeigh 1 took full advantage as they comfortably beat The A Team 4-1 to go 7.5 points clear, with David Houston, Steve Scannell and Calum Leitch securing wins and Iza Bujak (1200) achieving a good draw against Bruce Maclean (1630).

PlayedPoints
Ballynafeigh 1 6 29
QUB 1 6 21.5
Muldoons 1 4 18.5
Ballynafeigh 2 6 18
The A Team 4 4

Division 2

 

  • Fruithill 4-1 Kelly's Heroes
  • QUB 2 2.5-2.5 Muldoons 2
  • Bangor Webbs 2.5-2.5 Ballynafeigh 3
  • Civil Service 2-3 Ballynafeigh 4

 

Ballynafeigh 3 remain 4.5 points ahead after the top two teams both drew with their respective opponents. The leaders drew with the Bangor Webbs, who fielded their strongest line-up of the season so far, while QUB 2 drew against a Muldoons 2 side which contained the stronger players but was also a player short. Meanwhile, Martin Kelly is on loan at Ballynafeigh 4 and was their stand-out performer as they beat Civil Service 3-2, drawing with the 1664-rated Paul McGuigan. This result, incidentally, keeps the Stormont side in seventh place, half a point behind Kelly's Heroes who were defeated 4-1 at Fruithill, where, in the upset of the week, John Monaghan (1139) downed Chris Armstrong (1453).

PlayedPoints
Ballynafeigh 3 7 33
QUB 2 7 28.5
Ballynafeigh 4 7 26.5
Fruithill 7 26
Muldoons 2 7 22.5
Kelly's Heroes 7 21.5
Civil Service 7 21
Bangor Webbs 7 17

Division 3

 

  • Ballynafeigh 7 1-4 Ballynafeigh 5
  • Ballynafeigh 6 2-3 QUB 3

 

Leaders QUB 3 were run close by Ballynafeigh 6 - this was the first time this season the university side failed to win by at least 4-1 - allowing Ballynafeigh 5 to take a nibble at their massive lead by beating Ballynafeigh 7 4-1.

PlayedPoints
QUB 3 6 36.5
Ballynafeigh 5 6 23.5
Ballynafeigh 7 5 14
QUB 4 5 13
Ballynafeigh 6 6 11
Navigation
News
Celebrating Young Chess talent at Stormont. MLA Naomi Long invites top players. Our series of monthly tournaments concludes with the top players their parents and Principals being invited to Stormont ... Jul 11, 2025
Ulster Fischer Championships took place on June 8th at Civil Service Pavilion One of the most exciting competitions of the year involves chess with a difference. The initial position of the main pie... Jun 29, 2025
Annual General Meeting 2024/2025 2024/2025 season is rapidly coming to a close and with this comes the announcement of the UCU’s Annual General Meeting... Jun 27, 2025
Washingbay FIDE Rapid This week's upcoming event's early entry list Jun 02, 2025
City of Belfast Winners Well done to Steve Scannell our champion, and David Jeffers on winning the Intermediate trophy! May 26, 2025
More news…
« July 2025 »
July
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031
Upcoming Events
The Summer Tournament Weds 23rd July at Civil Service Pavilion Weds 23rd July and the 12th Week. The aim is to start each round at 7.45 pm. Please arrive at least by 7:30pm and if arr... Jul 23, 2025 07:30 PM - 10:30 PM — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
The Citi Belfast Charity Rapidplay July 24th 2025. (TBC FIDE rated) Rapidplay tournament at Citi Offices on Thursday 24th July Round 1 starts at 7:30pm. All monies being d... Jul 24, 2025 07:15 PM - 10:30 PM — Citi, Gateway Offices, 60 Sydenham Rd, Belfast BT3 9DP.
City of Lisburn Championship Jul 26, 2025 10:30 AM - 03:00 PM — Lisburn Chess Club, 60-62 Longstone Street
Summer Chess School 2025 - August 6th/7th/8th Weds - Fri The Ulster Chess Union is running a 3 Day Summer Chess School for Children, Beginners to Expert. Aug 06, 2025 - Aug 08, 2025 — TBC Ormeau Park - Ormeaul Bowling Club hall
Ulster Championships 2025 The top Ulster competition returns to open the 2025-2026 season! *FIDE registration of the event is pending.* Aug 23, 2025 - Aug 25, 2025 — Queens University, South Dinning Hall, Belfast
Upcoming events…