We welcomed Lewis Martin to the team for the home encounter with Bath. Six hard fought games ensued with fortunes fluctuating and the outcome impossible to predetermine. Given Bath's results so far this season though, I suppose a draw might always have been the bookies' favourite.

The first game to finish, a bit surprisingly considering the mayhem, was Dave's effort on board six where he inventively gave up his queen for three minor pieces. The complexities gave Barry a lot to think about and forced them both to consume time. In the end the minor pieces couldn't overwhelm Black but neither could Her Majesty exert her full power and an honourable draw was soon agreed.

Mike's game with Rob never really sparked into life and enough pieces were exchanged for a halt to be called by move 20, making the match score 1-1. At least two of the remaining games looked a bit dodgy and expert opinion (that's Mike Passmore, just before he left around 10.00) was a 2-4 loss!

Javier's game was indeed quite hairy and Peter may have missed a chance when he turned down a variation giving up bishop and knight for a rook and-pawn plus pressure against the king. But Javier hung in there for a draw, making it 1.5 each at this stage.

Next to finish were the top two boards. Nigel was suffering a cramped position against David and had problems developing his queenside. White had an open KR file at his disposal and, with a knight also infiltrating, he was able to generate insoluble threats. Lewis, meanwhile, had a complex game with Matthew where he followed a clear strategy and coupled this with a well timed breaking open of the kingside leading to a crushing attack. A very welcome debut and much needed win leaving the match tied at 2.5-2.5.

Unfortunately by now Martin was struggling with both the clock and an invasion of heavy pieces. He had to allow the queens to be exchanged to avert mate but this left Andrew a comfortable-pawn up and with his rooks doubled menacingly on the seventh rank. Miraculously Martin found all the right defensive moves in quick time and after a pair of rooks came off his king was better placed. As Andrew's time also ran dangerously low, Martin threatened to regain the-pawn and both players were now content to call it a day.

So Bath achieved their customary draw while we were very happy to have pulled off a major fightback from the brink of defeat seemingly against all the odds.