Report from the Final

The final was held at Newcastle RGS on 25th March 2023 in glorious surroundings (see the photo above). Fourteen teams took part and the competition was fierce. Round one saw some close games, and for a long time it looked as if King’s College B team would upset their A team, but it ended up 4 – 0 to the A team. After round two, four teams had won both matches, though as the tournament depended on game points every game counted. In round three King’s College dropped their first points whilst Wilson’s defeated local rivals Hampton.

There was then a pause for lunch before the two leading teams (King’s and Wilson’s) faced each other.  In the end white won every game leading to a drawn match. The match between Hampton and Brentwood was also drawn allowing Nottingham High to come back into contention. Round five saw King’s College, Wilson’s and Brentwood all win 3½ – ½ and the final round saw Wilson’s play Brentwood for what was second place as King’s College were by now two game points ahead. All Wilson’s needed was a draw but Brentwood won 3 -1 to grab second place. King’s College B team recovered from their first round loss to rise to 4th place.

Thanks again to RGS Newcastle and David Eggleston for their wonderful hosting, Lara Barnes for running the tournament and arbiting in a cool and calm manner, even when the printer died, and to Phill Beckett for setting it all up.

Final Ranking after six rounds
1st – Kings College Lower School A 20/24
2nd – Brentwood School 16.5
3rd – Wilson’s School 15.5
4th – Kings College Lower School B 15
5th – Hampton School 14.5
6th – Sir Thomas Rich’s School A 13.5
7th – Nottingham High School 11.5
8th – King Edward VI Five Ways 11.5
9th – Bristol GS 11
10th – Royal Grammar School Newcastle 10.5
11th – Beaumont School 10
12th – St Mary’s Catholic School A 7.5
13th – Sir Thomas Rich’s School B 6
14th – Ponteland High School 3.5      

— Neill Cooper

Regional Events

Notts High School – 15th November 2022 
Contact Ed Jones Email: jones.e@nottinghamhigh.co.uk
Qualifiers – Notts High School

Kings College School, Wimbledon – Saturday November 19th
10.00am start, end time dependent on entries
Contact Matthew Hortin Email:mjh@kcs.org.uk
Qualifiers – Kings College School and Hampton School

St. Thomas More School – 21st November 2022 at 4:15pm
Aimed at schools from the south east/Essex
Contact Jason Vitone Email: jvitone@st-thomasmore.southend.sch.uk
Qualifier – Westcliffe

St Christopher’s CE High School, Accrington – 30th November
Contact Michael Coop Email: m.coop@st-christophers.org
Qualifier – St Christophers

The Cotswold School – Monday 5th December at 4.00pm
Contact Sarah Dowie Email: sdowie@thecotswoldschool.co.uk
Qualifier – The Cotswold School

St Albans Herts – Wednesday January 25th
Contact Andrew Dexter Email: ardexter@st-albans.herts.sch.uk
Qualifier – Beaumont School

Brentwood School – 2nd February
Contact Robin Slade Email: slader@brentwood.essex.sch.uk
Qualifier – Brentwood School

Wilsons School – 8th February 4.15 – 6.45pm
Contact Neil Cooper Email: nsc@wilsonsschool.sutton.sch.uk
Qualifiers – Wilson’s School and Kings College School 

Devon area – Torquay Boys Grammar School – 14th February 2.00pm
Contact Tim Onions Email: tonions@tbgs.torbay.sch.uk
Qualifiers – Torquay Boys Grammar School and Colyton Grammar

Bristol Grammar – Monday 13th March 4.00-6.30pm
Contact Graham Iwi Email: giwi@bgs.bristol.sch.uk
Qualifiers – Bristol Grammar, Sir Thomas Rich A and B teams, Clifton College

St Marys Catholic School – 14th March
Contact Paul Richardson Email: Paul.Richardson@st-marys.newcastle.sch.uk
Qualifiers – St Mary’s and Ponteland

West Midlands Region – KE Camp Hill
Contact: Alex Holowczak Email: alexholowczak@gmail.com
Friday 17th March – 4 rounds of 10+2 from 5.00pm to 7.00pm
Qualifiers – KE Five Ways and KES

The final is now confirmed as Newcastle RGS 10.00am to 4.00pm on the 25th March 2023.
Local contact is David Eggleston Email: dje567@hotmail.co.uk

The Junior Team Challenge is aimed at Year 7 and Year 8. Teams will consist of four players (reserves are allowed) at least one member of each team must be year 7 or 8. There will be a series of regional finals, with the winner and possibly the runner-up (if there is a large qualifying event) qualifying for the final, to be held at Royal Grammar School Newcastle.

The typical schedule is a team event using a Swiss system (unless there are a low number of entrants, in which case teams may play an all-play-all competition). Each team plays four rounds Every point scored will count towards the team total i.e. a team winning 3-1 would score three points, and the losing team would score one point. All schools can enter two teams, with the host team having the option of a third team in order to have an even number of teams.

The regional events are designed so that they can be completed in an afternoon, although a regional event could be held as a one-day event according, to the wishes of the host school.