Lancashire Juniors Under 9's Report Under 11's Report

Lancashire currently run a number of teams that compete at National level:

• Under 9's
• Under 11's
• Under 14's
• Under 18's

EPSCA U9 INTER ASSOCIATION NATIONAL FINAL

Held Saturday 24/4/99 at St. Joseph's High School, Heywood, Lancashire. The event took place in Heywood as part of the Northern Counties Chess Union Centenary year. The controller was Bill O'Rourke (NCCU Secretary) and the arbiter Geoff Jones.

They were very ably assisted by a control team made up of members of the Lancashire Junior Chess Organisation. St. Joseph's parents and teachers association provided food and drink throughout the day. And of course the usual helpers and volunteers from each association.helped to make the day a real success. 256 children (teams of 12 children from each of the 16 associations plus 4 reserves) were incredibly well behaved and were a real credit to their chess associations. They played hard and fair throughout the day, in the very best of competitive spirit.

At the awards ceremony at 5.20 p.m., it was Wey Valley - Surrey who took first place with 30 out of 36 points, an excellent result. They overtook first round leaders Sussex in the second round and held on to win. All the winners received medals, and every competitor (including reserves) received a certificate, before setting off on their long journeys home.

EPSCA U11 INTER ASSOCIATION NATIONAL FINAL

Held Saturday 8/5/99 at St. Joseph’s High School, Heywood, Lancashire.

Report from Controller Bill O’Rourke.

This event also took place at Heywood as part of the Northern Counties Chess Union Centenary year, following on from the U9 final two weeks previously. Bill O’Rourke (NCCU Secretary) was again controller and the arbiter Peter Purland. 384 children (teams of 20 children from each of the 16 associations plus 4 reserves) played studiously in the very best of competitive spirit.

At the awards ceremony at 5.30 p.m., it was RICHMOND who took first place with 47 out of 60 points, an excellent result, but winning by the narrowest margin possible of 0.5 of a point ahead of Essex. Kent were 3rd with 42 points. All the winners and runners-up received medals, and every competitor (including reserves) received a certificate

To finish off this year’s finals, just a few quick words. I thought the school proved to be an excellent venue, both logistically, accessability and parking wise. At both events St. Joseph’s PTA provided excellent food and drink facilities. Well done Peter Purland and Geoff Jones for arbitrating smoothly and quietly, alongside each association’s steward. Thank you to the Lancashire Junior Chess Association for their help on the day to make the chess run smoothly. Very many thanks to the very few people who stayed behind as requested at the end to clear tables and chairs, in particular Dermot Hanley of Lancashire, Kath and Vince Ashall of Heywood and Mike of Wey Valley. A very big raspberry to the few associations who left their rooms a litter mess (the only sour note of the whole event), and a round of applause to the vast majority who cleared up after themselves. Next year the final is proposed to be held in the Midlands.