EPSCA U11 Girls ChampionshipThe English Primary Schools' Chess Association (EPSCA) exists "to advance the education of primary school aged children by teaching, supervising and developing the playing of chess by those children." E.P.S.C.A. holds three annual championships for member associations - Under 9, Under 11, and Girls Under 11. The U11 Girls Championship is for teams of 12, plus 2 reserves. Sussex compete in a local "4-Counties" friendly before the final in March. National Final, 28th March 2009, Bolton National Final, 28th March 2009, Bolton
More Photos - click HERE. The team: Katie O'Nunain, Cosima Keen, Harriet Tomlin, Rosie Hennessey, Rachel O'Nunain, Isabel O'Nunain, Emily Yates, Cassie Graham, Jade Wallace Hargrove, Ella Partington, Helen Todd-Saunders, Sarena Bhargava, Rosie Burke. Last Saturday the Sussex U11 Girls team played in the EPSCA U11 Girls National Finals in Bolton. We arrived bright and bushy tailed in Bolton looking forward to the days chess. We got off to a poor start in the 1st round with a score of 5 out of a possible 12. The 2nd round was better with a score of 7 with more of the girls on the lower boards taking their time. The managers in the room got their slide rules out (showing my age), projected, calculated and determined that amazingly we would win by round 12. Unfortunately there were only 3 rounds, but we still went into the last round with an outside chance of a place at the prize giving. A score of 8 out of 12 was very good but not quite good enough for a placing. The spirit of the team was excellent with the girls all supporting each other. Special mention should made of the following players: Harriet Tomlin who played board 3 had a tough draw but came away with 3 out of 3 and was always in control. The Onunain family of Isabel, Rachel and Katie came away with 7 out of 9. Finally, Cassie Graham did particularly well with 2.5, playing board 5 and considering she is still an U8. Anyway, a score of 20 points was more than respectable and great considering the start we had. Kent were the champions with a score of 28 - they managed to score 12 out of 12 in the 2nd round having also had a poor 1st round. Thanks go to David Graham who acted as Board Steward and endured glimpsing over at his daughters board (even though she did really well), and other parents who helped out on the day. Final Team Standings
Nick Yates, team manager. Dave Graham adds the following interesting position:- Katie showed tremendous determination in round 2. She had been playing on a rook and pawn down for some time but refused to give up. Just look what can happen when you keep trying:-
4-Counties Friendly, 18th January 2009, Reading Congratulations to our girls, as Sussex won the event convincingly, winning in all three rounds. The team: Cosima Keen, Katie O'Nunain, Rachel O'Nunain, Isabel O'Nunain, Emily Yates, Daniela Parada-Sanchez, Jade Wallace Hargrove, Rosie Hennessey, Ella Partington, Helen Todd-Saunders, Melissa Davy-Ericson, Sarena Bhargava, Rosie Burke, Freya Finnegan
In round 1 we played the current national champions, Oxfordshire. The
girls played some nice chess and won 7 points out of a possible 12, and
also both of our reserve games. Sussex ended the round in second
place behind Berks, who had done very well to score 8.5 against Barnet. Round 3 and the girls were all very determined to give their best against
Berks. Team O'Nunain - that's triplets Katie, Rachel and Isabel - comprise 25% of the team, and produce more than 25% of our winning score; Katie with 2.5, Rachel 1 (on a high board) and Isabel with 3, so well done to them all. Emily Yates on board 3 played super controlled chess, was never in any difficulty and made 3 points. Nicely done Emily. Jade Wallace Hargrove, Rosie Hennessey, Helen Todd-Saunders, Melissa Davy-Ericson and and Sarena Bhargava all made 2 points. Rosie Burke and Freya Finnegan - both only Under-8 - won all their games, so great results for these two. But all the girls played well, a real team effort and
they thoroughly deserved their victory. |
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