We wondered at first if South Bristol had got their fixture list muddled up because they were at pains to welcome us with the news that they were fielding "possibly the strongest team ever to line up for a Bristol League Match". We took the 193 average grade as quite a compliment even if it meant we started with an average deficit of 21 points per board. (Our championship winning A-team's average last season was a mere 191!)

However we were far from overawed...

We started with a couple of comfortable draws on boards four and five. First, Martin equalised steadily against Paul with a Sicilian in which no pawns were exchanged and if anything Martin had a slight plus when they agreed a draw. After they shook hands I was emboldened to offer Steve a draw too. He declined but my "enterprising stodge" against his Caro-Kann ensured he never really achieved meaningful counter-play and this game was also agreed drawn after 26 moves.

The middle stage of the match saw two wins on the top and bottom boards and SB were probably less than amused that these points were also shared, making the overall score 2-2, rather closer than they had envisaged. By move 33 Dave had just the better of a well handled defence against Humphrey, albeit behind on the clock. But just one slip cost a rook and that really was a pity. Meanwhile, after some tactics involving an errant black knight, Nigel had achieved a slight positional plus against Patryk, although still level on material. He built on this steadily and by the time the queens came off he had a rook, bishop and-pawn ending which was clearly superior. He calmly demonstrated excellent technique to finish the job.

So now we had to suffer one of those nerve-wracking final periods when matches are won, drawn or lost. Mike had won a pawn against Tyson after some enterprising knight play and Javier also held an advantage against Carl but was very low on time. Mike possibly missed the best chance of a pawn advance which would have added pressure but Tyson defended well until another opportunity arose with time running low. Once again Tyson found just enough play to force perpetual check. Javier missed a combination which cost a piece for a-pawn or two but, playing his time-trouble incredibly well, he emerged into an ending with rook and six pawns against rook, bishop and four. Enough pawns were eliminated for it to be a safe draw - but not with only 9 seconds remaining and, unfortunately, Javier now put his rook en prise.

SB had done just well enough to gather both points but I wonder which team was more surprised how close it was. You don't get points for lost matches or "might have beens" but you are allowed to take considerable satisfaction from coming so near to upsetting a team as powerful as this. We are also allowed great confidence that at last things are capable of turning round for us.