Malcolm Clarke reports on the D and A team matches in League and Robertson Plate, plus stalwart player John Kooner recently turned 70.

Chandlers Ford D finished their league season as they started with a win, although none of their other league games were won.  However they are likely to finish third in a five team division.  In their 3-1 at Fareham captain Steve Dunleavy was unavailable, which meant that Rob Strachan took over the captaincy for the match and wins from Nobby George, Simon Kay and Steve Saunders winning their games and Rose Saunders winning a game counting for grading purposes.

In the Robertson Plate Chandlers Ford A team replayed their semi final with Winchester, with Dick Meredith who captains the A team in cup games fielding the same four players in the original match which included a double default and Keven Lamb also came into the side.  However this time Winchester fielded a full strength A team and won the match 5-0 to earn a cup final away to Hamble.  Of the Chandlers Ford players against Winchester top board Graham Stuart held out the longest, but after a brave fight he eventually lost in a queen and pawn ending.

Winchester C were whitewashed by division 5 champions Ringwood C, while Chandlers Ford stalwart John Kooner who has played for the club in its’ different forms since the 1990’s recently celebrated his 70th birthday.