Leam Lane take league lead south of the Tyne

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(Chronicle Chess 3 November 2023)

Just like local football rivalries, the competition between teams from north and south of the Tyne is an intense one. In recent years, Newcastle and North Tyneside teams have dominated, but this week Leam Lane Aces took the lead south of the Tyne in Division 1 for the first time in a few seasons.

Winning their first match 4-0 v Tynemouth, and drawing 2-2 against Gosforth Empire, has lifted Leam Lane to top of the table, with their top boards David Walker and Graeme Oswald on a combined 3.5/4 from the first two matches.

Leam Lane have 3 points, ahead of Gosforth Empire and Newcastle A on 2 points. South Shields A are on 1 point, while Jesmond and Tynemouth have yet to score.

In Division 2, the spoils so far are shared by Gosforth Salters and a resurgent Newcastle University A, who drew their second-round match to go equal top on 3 points. Newcastle University have a thriving club thanks to an influx of new players, including one of Yorkshire’s top young talents, Ther Mate from Harrogate. On 2 points are Morpeth A and Gosforth Regents, while Forest Hall Foxes and South Shields B are on zero match points.

The clear Division 3 leaders are Tynemouth B, with 4 match points, ahead of a chasing pack of Alnwick A, Morpeth B and Gosforth Centurions on 2 points. Gosforth Ivy and Forest Hall Woodpeckers are the unlucky teams yet to score.

Leam Lane Bullets are the early leaders of Division 4, with a maximum 4 match points so far. Behind them are Gosforth Hawthorns, Gosforth Woodbines and Tynemouth C on 3 points. Gateshead and Forest Hall Squirrels are on 2 points, while Morpeth C and are on 1 point.

Division 5 is notable for having a total of five joint leaders, all on 2 match points: Tynemouth D, Alnwick B, Newcastle University B, Gosforth Jedis
and Leam Lane Comets. South Shields C and Forest Hall Owls are pointless so far.

There’s a three-way tie for first in the newly created Division 6, between Tynedale, Gosforth Otterburns and Newcastle B, on 2 match points. South Shields D and Alnwick C have 1 point each, while Newcastle University C have yet to get off the mark.

Last weekend, the North of England’s biggest weekend congress, Scarborough, saw fewer North East players taking part than usual. However, the event was a triumph for Alnwick Grandmaster Danny Gormally, who won the Open with 4.5/5 and pocketed a first prize of £700.