Sussex Schools Cup Finals: 1st May 2007, Great Walstead School

Sussex Junior Chess organise a chess tournament, throughout the school year, involving schools from throughout Sussex . Each team plays a number of games through the Autumn, after which the teams are seeded into divisions, and then a number of games during the spring term. The four strongest teams from each division, are then invited to play in the finals held on 1 May 2007, this year hosted by Great Walstead School.

Schools came from far and wide, travelling from the very east, west, north and south of the county; Ocklynge, Ticehurst, Horsham, Hove and East Grinstead, Lindfield and Handcross to name a few. The children included as many as five England players, three of which, Barnaby Paul, Ramsay Pyper and Christopher Yates were selected for the squad in Liverpool this weekend.

There were two age groups at the final. The under 11’s, which were divided into three divisions and for the first time this year, the under 13’s were invited. The top four schools from each group came along and fought out the battle for supremacy. Each team played two rounds, to find the ultimate winners from each group.

After a close tournament the winners emerged. The under 13 group was won by Brambletye (East Grinstead), and in the under 11’s, the winner of division three was Stanford Juniors (Hove), division two, Farlington (Horsham), just beating Handcross and the winning team from division one, narrowly beating Great Walstead, was Windlesham House (Washington).

The event was a huge success, and congratulations must also go to all those that didn’t quite make the final. Thanks to all the teachers, parents and volunteers, who work so hard during the year to make this happen.