Two matches produce fireworks at the foot of the table in Division 1. Gambit 2 win at Newark 2 to catch them on points. The top four boards draw. A Peter Gorecka-Marshall win is decisive. It’s good to see a thoughtful third team regular seize his day in the sun in Division 1 in such an important game for his club. Newark on a losing run of four games have slid right into the relegation dogfight. Their last match of the season will be at in-form, Nomads 1! Nomads score their first win of the season over higher-rated Grantham 1. Gambit 2 will host West Bridgford 1, who are not yet safe, in the last game of the season.
In Division Two on April Fools Day, Beeston 1 and Ashfield 1 fight out a draw, which leaves these teams and Radcliffe and Bingham 1 scrapping for the title and two promotion slots.
In D3 Radcliffe and Bingham 2 secure promotion with a narrow win over Gambit 5. Gambit 3, already assured of promotion are their rivals for the title, each with a game to play.
West Bridgford 3 win Division 4 with a 3-1 win over West Nottingham 3. Ashfield 3 draw with Grantham 3. This result ensures a team from Ashfield will be the runners-up.
Next week’s highlight Mansfield 1 v Gambit 1, Thurs. 10 April will decide the League title. Mansfield need to win to overtake University 1 in the closest title race for years. The last time the League was won on game points was in 1995-1996 when Gambit 1 pipped Fiveways 1 (See Gambit Website, March post). University 1 and Mansfield have given us a vintage title race this season, chased by Gambit 1, who could yet turn out to be the Kingmakers.
Phil