Kent v Essex match Report


Dulwich College Kent 15/11/2008

The first match for Essex in the group stages of the U14/U90 tournament was a tough tie against Kent, who are always a very formidable side to play
against, and so it proved in this encounter. Before talking about the actual match report, I must just say a few words of sympathy to Mario Cassar
and his family. Mario kindly agreed to fill in for me as I couldn't make this fixture and was saddened to hear that Mario's father passed away
the night before this match took place. I have total admiration for Mario who carried on the captaincy of the team despite such difficult
circumstances, even bringing some players along to make up the numbers. I am sure that I speak for all Essex Junior players in sending condolences to Mario
and his family.

I understand Kent managed to field a full strength team for this encounter and the result certainly backs up that claim. There is some comfort in the fact that
the Kent captain stated the match was a lot closer than the score suggests, however a heavy defeat is never easy to take at the best of times.

However, it is always good to look for positives and I must say that thanks should go out to all the players that made Essex debuts at U14 level. Emmet Steggal
looks to be a real prospect, notching up a good win against an experienced opponent. Thanks must also go to the Pollinger brothers for coming along and the
experience for them will be very valuable for future events. Natasha also made her debut for the U14 as did Bramwell Williams and Arjun Takhar. Arjun's solid play
netting him a half point against a much higher rated player. Also lets not forget Edward McCallum who found himself unexpectly on board 12 when some members of the
team arrived late. However this didn't affect the lad at all and he ended up showing the rest of the team how it should be done securing a good draw against a much
higher rated opponent.

Qualification to the final now looks remote, but we must now pick ourselves up for the home match against Sussex, this now becomes a must win game for us if we
are to retain any hope of a spot in the final.


ZONAL MATCHES

  Kent*
15.11.08
 Essex*

  1
  2
  3
  4
  5
  6
  7
  8
  9
10
11
12

Justin Brown 74
Raphael Kalid 77
Alexei Davis 77
Raunak Rao 68
Rohan Bansal 57
Patrick Smith 53
Sam Andrew 51
Aravind Parthiban 50
Orlando Devoy 49
Christopher Stern 43
Arthur Stern 37
Nikhil Math 42

1     
1     
1     
1     
1     
1     
1     
1     
1     
1     
1     
½     

0     
0     
0     
0     
0     
0     
0     
0     
0     
0     
0     
½     

Natasha Bogoda 63
Elliott Moule 44
Siddharth Chandrasekaran 35
Bram Williams 25
James McCallum 32
Edward Ballard 35
Arjun Takhar 8
Walton Charles 48
Jonathan Newby 22
Edward Quilty 34
Chay Pollinger
Edward McCallum

  Rd 2
  1
  2
  3
  4
  5
  6
  7
  8
  9
10
11
12


Justin Brown 74
Raphael Kalid 77
Alexei Davis 77
Raunak Rao 68
Rohan Bansal 57
Patrick Smith 53
Sam Andrew 51
Aravind Parthiban 50
Orlando Devoy 49
Christopher Stern 43
Arthur Stern 37
Billy Sargent 31

11½     
     1
     1
     1
     1
     1
     1
     1
     0
     1
     1
     ½
     0

½    
     0
     0
     0
     0
     0
     0
     0
     1
     0
     0
     ½
     1


Elliot Moule 44
Natasha Bogoda 63
Jonathan Newby 22
Angelo Cassar 38
Edward Quilty 34
Bram Williams 25
Walton Charles 48
Siddharth Chandrasekaran 35
Edward Ballard 35
James McCallum 32
Arjun Takhar 8
Emmet Stegall 16
   (Dulwich College)

          9½             2½

  
   Essex had white in rd 1
21              3
  
   Friendlies:

13
14
13
14

Billy Sargent 31
Rachel Smith
Nikhil Math 42
Rachel Smith

1     
0     
     1
     0

0     
1     
     0
     1

 Niall Pollinger
Angelo Cassar 38
Chay Pollinger
Edward McCallum