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Congratulations to The Cumberland who
are this year’s London League champions. Captained by the
redoubtable Raymond Kershaw they swept all before them in an
undefeated season.
At the league’s annual celebratory dinner at the RAC in Pall Mall,
which was as magnificent as ever, I played an exhibition match
against Peter Bennet, one of England’s strongest players. The
occasional decision was possibly influenced by alcohol but in
general we managed to keep up a good standard of play while
providing a running commentary.
I had been very lucky to win the Crawford Game to get to 1-4 in a
match to 5. In the next game I doubled on the first move and
shortly thereafter we arrived at this week’s position where I
managed to roll this dreadful 43. The only ‘safe’ move is 6/2, 6/3
but how could I possibly play that in front of an audience?
I found the imaginative 8/5, 7/3 leaving a double shot but keeping
all my men in play. Peter hit with 61 playing 21/15, 21/20*. I
responded with 32 played bar/22, 7/5*. Peter fanned and eight
rolls later I had a closed board and three of Peter’s men on the
bar. I easily won a gammon and the match.
I’d like to say it was skill but in fact my 8/5, 7/3 was a big
error and the prosaic 6/2, 6/3 was the right play. I was ahead in
the race and although I lose my 6-pt all my men would still have
been active and there was actually no need to panic. I should have
quietly played 6/2, 6/3, maintained my racing lead, and waited for
better things. Sorry Peter!
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