Sussex Girls Win

BCF U18s Girls Minor County Championship

Saturday 21st June 2003 in Leicester

In a 4 County Final split into Major and Minor competitions Sussex Girls won the Minor Counties Cup.

Congratulations to the team of Ellie Hayden, Abi Fryer, Deborah Margolis, Elizabeth Tehrani, Rebecca Tuck and Sarah Margolis who made the trek up the M1 to a lovely venue in Syston, Leicester.

With two very strong teams in Surrey and Staffordshire with 100+ rated players on the top 3 boards this was always going to be a real test for the young Sussex team. However everyone played up to or above their own standard with highlights including Deborah's fine win against Rachel Peat in a well controlled game and Ellie's titanic struggle against Surrey Captain Kate Feld that finally reached a drawn K+5P vs K+5P ending.

With victories by our top 4 boards against Leicestershire including a 6 move don't blink dazzler by Deborah as black in round 2 our securing of the Minor Counties Trophy was achieved.

  Surrey Staffordshire Sussex  Leicestershire Total
Surrey   3-1 2½-1½ 4-0 9½
Staffordshire 1-3   4-0 4-0 9
Sussex  1½-2½ 0-4   4-0 5½
Leicestershire 0-4 0-4 0-4   0

Many thanks to Leicestershire for their hospitality, organisation and fine venue. A very high standard of chess was seen and it was a shame that the home county did not register a score that they deserved.