You are here: Home Archives Ulster Chronicles 2018-2019 season UCU Web 2018 Strand 1 close in on Silver King after week of closely-fought matches

Strand 1 close in on Silver King after week of closely-fought matches

(B&D League 2018/19 Week 18) Strand 1 were hoping for draws between their rivals in their free week to maintain their cushion as much as possible - they got one, as well as a pair of 3-2 scorelines in the other matches.

Division 1

  • Fruitihll Hawks 2-3 Ballynafeigh 1
  • Ballynafeigh 2 2.5-2.5 QUB 1
  • Civil Service 2-3 Kelly's Heroes

Apart from runaway league leaders Strand 1, Ballynafeigh 1 and QUB 1 are the only remaining teams mathematically still in the hunt for the Silver King; but QUB 1's draw and Ballynafeigh 1's narrow win over the Fruithill Hawks will have pleased Strand 1, whose lead now stands at 24 points and need only a draw in any of their three remaining matches to secure their first-ever league title. Ballynafeigh 1 were without David Houston for their visit to Fruithill, and Steve Scannell fell to defeat against John Cairns, but wins from Karina Kruk, Ian Woodfield and Vincent O'Brien saw them through to victory. QUB 1 brought only four players to their clash with Ballynafeigh 2, but wins for Callum Ormerod and Samuel Ngieng, as well as a draw for Cathan Gormley against John O'Doherty, saved the draw. Adrian Dornford-Smith (1217) claimed the upset of the week for Civil Service against Bobby Thompson (1490) but it wasn't enough as Kelly's Heroes continued their fine form.

Standings

PlayedPoints
Strand 1 15 79.5
Fruithill Hawks 15 55.5
Kelly's Heroes 16 55.5
QUB 1 14 54
Ballynafeigh 1 14 53.5
Ballynafeigh 2 14 33
Civil Service 16 33

Division 3

  • Fruithill Ravens 3-2 Strand 3
  • QUB 3 3.5-1.5 Ballynafeigh 4
  • Bangor 2 5-0 Ballynafeigh 3

Bangor 2 stretched their lead to nine points as Ballynafeigh 3 could only field two players at Groomsport Parish Hall and were summarily whitewashed. The Fruithill Ravens claimed a narrow win as Sean Linton and unrated players Chris Wilkinson and Harry Skerbergs all won, although there were fine performances from Ciaran Rowan and Dexter Harris to defeat Gerry Collins and Michael Toal respectively. QUB 3 were the clear favourites against Ballynafeigh 4 and will probably have been disappointed to score only 3.5; Matthew Dougherty (1400) was held to a draw by David Seaby (1023) and Bartlomiej Rybicki (1145) fell to defeat against Billy Jackson (984).

Standings

PlayedPoints
Bangor 2 16 82
Fruithill Ravens 15 71
QUB 3 13 61
Ballynafeigh 4 15 45.5
Strand 3 14 38.5
Strand 4 14 36
Ballynafeigh 3 15 23
Navigation
News
Washingbay FIDE Rapid This week's upcoming event's early entry list Jun 02, 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 01, 2025
City of Belfast Winners Well done to Steve Scannell our champion, and David Jeffers on winning the Intermediate trophy! May 26, 2025
The Belfast Megafinals took place at Methodist College on Sat May 10th 2025 The last of this years monthly tournaments at Methodist College. Ended with the Delancey Chess Challenge Belfast Megafin... May 25, 2025
GM Alex Baburin plays 24 games in Ulster Simultaneous 23rd May 2025 An evening of fantastic chess was enjoyed when 24 Ulster Chess players played Irelands GM Alex Baburin. Organised by Kar... May 24, 2025
More news…
« June 2025 »
June
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930
Upcoming Events
The Summer Tournament (Now FIDE rated) Weds 11th June at Civil Service Pavilion Weds 11th June and the 6th Week. The aim is to start each round at 7.45 pm. Please arrive at least by 7:30pm and if arri... Jun 11, 2025 07:30 PM - 10:30 PM — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
Annual General Meeting 2024-2025 Agenda TBC when nominations and motions are received Please submit nominations/motions by 20th June Jun 30, 2025 08:00 PM - 10:00 PM — Falls Bowling Club, 63 Andersonstown Road
City of Lisburn Championship Jul 26, 2025 - Jul 27, 2025 — Lisburn Chess Club, 60-62 Longstone Street
Upcoming events…