The 2006/07 season made up for the lack of drama of the previous season. At several points I predicted that certain matches would be key to the outcome of the table. This certainly proved to be the case, but not quite in the way I expected. None of the top teams were able to dominate the division and it was only the final round of matches that resolved both the top and bottom positions of the table.
Aigburth started the season where they left off last season, just trailing the leaders. Was it going to be another “almost but not quite” season? Not this time. A five round winning sequence saw them take or share the lead for most of the rest of the season. However with two losses, one unexpectedly against Widnes, and a postponed match, the top of the table was delicately poised right up to the final round. With Atticus 2 in a very strong second position and ready to take the Championship if Aigburth faltered, all that was needed was a draw against Liverpool. This was the final result in a nail biting finish and so Aigburth have finally broken Atticus 2’s grip on this division with their first Championship win since my records begin.
Atticus 2 did not start the season well, with a narrow loss to their club’s first team. However they were then unbeaten for the rest of the first half, and also gained their revenge against Atticus 1. This sequence allowed them to draw level with, and then take a narrow lead over Aigburth. But a loss to Aigburth and a couple of draws let Aigburth regain the lead. Despite a relatively easy sequence of wins to finish the season, they were dependent on a final trip up by Aigburth to take the Championship for the fourth year running. This was not to be, so they end up with the same scoreline as last year but only in second place.
Atticus 1 started the season well with three wins, but as seen in previous years were unable to maintain this run. Although remaining in touch with the leaders for most of the season, they ended up with too many losses and finished in third place.
Wallasey, Liverpool and Widnes all finished exactly in the middle of the table with the same number of points and only “goal” difference separating them. Wallasey started the season poorly and for most of it did just enough to keep out of trouble. It was only towards the end that they hauled themselves into fourth place with three wins. The Liverpool team appears to make a habit of starting well and then fading badly. This year was no exception with them leading the division after three rounds, and then not winning again until the New Year. This cycle was then repeated in the second half and so they finished the season in fifth place. Widnes’ second season in the top division has seen them hold their own against some difficult opposition, including notable wins against both Atticus 1 and Aigburth, and they managed a 50% win rate by the end. However with goal difference working against them they only achieved sixth place.
The bottom of the table has been a battle between Prescot and newly promoted Southport. Would it be another bounce back for Southport, or would they manage to force another long standing first division team down to the second division. For most of the year there was nothing between them except for Prescot having the goal difference advantage. For a brief period late on, Southport displaced Prescot with a draw against Liverpool, only to go bottom again with Prescot’s win over them. However it was still possible for Southport to save the day, with a win over Widnes in the very last match of the season. But it was not to be their day, so Prescot finished in seventh place and Southport occupying the relegation slot.
The Player of the Year emerged from the pack at Xmas and despite a couple of hiccups managed to just hold on to his lead. This was an improvement on last year where in almost identical circumstances he just failed to capitalize. That person is the Atticus 2 captain John Carleton who achieved his position with a score of 11/14. His closest rival was his fellow club mate and Atticus 1 captain David James who came very close to displacing John. His score was 10˝/14, the same score that he achieved winning the P.O.T.Y last year! Commendations should go to Roger Williamson and Ian Campbell, both of Aigburth, who remained unbeaten for the whole season. Top Drawers were Roger Williamson and Graham Lilley with nine draws each.
Once again this has been a trouble free year, with only the odd rearranged match adding to the uncertainty of the table outcome. The number of defaults this year was 9. This compares with 10, 7, 9, 5, 14 & 12 for the last few years.
May I therefore finally offer congratulations to Aigburth for winning The Merseyside Division 1 Championship, and to John Carleton for taking the Player of the Year award.
Dave Whitby
|
Team |
Played |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
For |
Against |
Difference |
Points |
|
AIGBURTH 1 |
14 |
11 |
1 |
2 |
69˝ |
42˝ |
27 |
23 |
|
ATTICUS 2 |
14 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
71 |
41 |
30 |
22 |
|
ATTICUS 1 |
14 |
9 |
0 |
5 |
65 |
47 |
18 |
18 |
|
WALLASEY A |
14 |
6 |
2 |
6 |
55˝ |
56˝ |
-1 |
14 |
|
LIVERPOOL 1 |
14 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
53 |
59 |
-6 |
14 |
|
WIDNES 1 |
14 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
52 |
60 |
-8 |
14 |
|
PRESCOT 1 |
14 |
2 |
0 |
12 |
44˝ |
67˝ |
-23 |
4 |
|
SOUTHPORT 1 |
14 |
1 |
1 |
12 |
37˝ |
74˝ |
-37 |
3 |
© Merseyside Chess Association