Game 2 - Doncaster vs Leeds A

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 The first home game of the season provided the first win with an excellent victory in which two more newcomers starred.

Both sides had players missing because of the 4NCL competition being played on the same day so Doncaster drafted in Lincolnshire League player Nick Stead and Richard Allis, who asked to join after leaving York.

Both men started with victories with Nick in dominant form on board 2 against Muhammad Umair. Nick built up a very dangerous attack which led to his opponent conceding material and resigning after dropping more pawns in the ending.

Richard arrived late after losing his way and was half an hour down on the clock but remained undaunted and eventually caught up the time and took control of the board 3 game to win convincingly.

But it was the ever reliable Neil Lowther who set Doncaster on the path to victory with the first win of the day when he broke through cleverly in the centre to leave his opponent in a hopeless position.

It extended Neil's unbeaten run for Doncaster to 16 matches since his last defeat almost seven years ago.

Alexandr Klimchik seemed to have an advantage in a complicated board 1 game against a very strong rival Peter Gayson, who slightly outgraded the Doncaster man, but then grew short of time allowing his opponent to pounce for the win.

Tim Hilton gained an impressive victory over talented junior Nathan Madzia while Andrew Butterworth and Isaac Fossey both chalked up draws in the first and last games to finish.

Isaac was unlucky not to clinch victory after winning the exchange and building up a superior position, but was unable to finish off his wily opponent in the complications that ensued. 

Written by Peter Catt

Newly promoted Doncaster were given the toughest of tasks on their return to the Woodhouse Cup competition - the Yorkshire League's top division - when they were paired against last season's champions.

Sheffield won the league the previous season without losing a game and Doncaster found themselves outgraded on seven of the eight boards.

But they fought hard on every board before going down to their first Yorkshire League defeat in six years!

Team captain Peter Catt had worked hard all summer to try and recruit some stronger players for the new challenge and Doncaster had three debut makers - Alexandr Klimchik (who now plays for Barnby Dun), Nigel Birtwistle and Barnsley's Isaac Fossey.

All did well in their first match and were in fact the only points scorers for the team.

Alexandr started in superb style with some excellent endgame play to beat his higher rated board 1 opponent Jon Nelson, who is graded 2192.

Nigel never looked in danger against Peter Ackley on board 2 but could not get an advantage either and the game finished in a draw.

Young Isaac played very well against Daniel Sullivan, graded 2023, and gained a well earned draw.

In other games Sean McDonald had an interesting tactical battle against Jim Burnett before a miscalculation led to defeat and Zak Tomlinson was unlucky to lose against John Fletcher after looking better near the end before going wrong in a drawn position.

Overall it was a very tough start but Doncaster could take heart from the fact that they were not completely outclassed. 

Written by Peter Catt