Well, we battled out a 3 - 3 draw away to Bath B last week.

First to finish was Elmira with a well played and very solid draw. In all games for the Downend's various teams this season, she has proved very difficult to beat, having only lost once in 10 games. This is soooooo valuable to all the teams she has represented.

Next to finish was the Duffer who after pushing his bits around the board in a somewhat random and disorganised fashion found himself in a drawn position and shook hands not really knowing how it happened.

Aron then stole an endgame win in a manner which could be best described as Grand Larceny.

If he wanted it, on this evidence, I see a successful career ahead of him as a master criminal, but I suspect his parents may want to guide him in another direction.

So, 2 - 1 up with the fancy players on the top boards still in battle.

When I first saw Keith's game he was a piece up, which was good, but what was even better was the fact that he was in severe time trouble. As so often happens to him, when he has no time to think, he finished the game beautifully and decisively. Don't think, Keith, please don't think.

Dave had built a strong position with so many telling sacrifices available, it was difficult to choose which was best. As often happens, with too many choices available, he made probably the wrong one, and his game went downhill.

James' game looked difficult, and then even more difficult and though he battled on hard, he had to concede in the end.

3 - 3 then, which I have to say was not a bad result, but it left lingering thoughts that it might have been even better.