We started with an almost full strength side, with Jerry unfortunately being unwell on the day. Horfield also fielded all their top players, so the grading score was close and it depended on which list you use to decide who were the theoretical favourites.

The top three boards were first to finish and, considering the colours, went very nicely for us. Nigel and Richard with Black neutralised two very dangerous customers (Carl and Steve) on boards one and three. On board two Chris developed considerable pressure, won a-pawn, exposed his opponent' s king and was threatening to win a second one, at which point Andrejs resigned. Although subsequent analysis suggests this may have been a little premature, Black' s position was definitely not very fanciable.

So 2-1 up and I was next to finish. I had done quite well to win two pawns for no real compensation, although taking rather too long to get there. One-pawn slipped away and then, rather than totally muck it up, I shook hands with John, making it 2.5-1.5.

The last four games were interestingly poised. A plus for Michael B, a minus for Michael M and muddy positions elsewhere but, and a very big but, both Humphrey and Martin had significant time advantages.

Harvey' s attack against Michael M proved too strong, squaring the match at 2.5-2.5. Chris is a slippery opponent and wriggled well given the opportunity so Michael B agreed to share the points, making it 3-3.

By now, however, the match was not really in doubt to the onlookers who could see the clocks as well as the boards! Derek had less than two minutes facing all sorts of threats from Humphrey and couldn' t prevent a back rank mate. Martin played very coolly and was about to win a piece when Phil conceded.

So 5-3 in the end and, curiously, all over by a quarter past ten. We had managed to come through a lot of tough games and now have a chance to win some silverware against Clevedon in the final. Plenty of important league matches before that, though!