Our run of excellent results finally came to an end when we were comprehensively beaten by Athenaeum, although we were, on paper, slightly the stronger team. These things happen: we’ll just have to beat Battersea in our last real match of the season.
Congratulations to Iain, our only winner on the night: there was also a quick draw from Mike Healey and solid halves on the bottom four boards: congratulations to them as well. Apart from that, not much joy. Thanks to all who played – and well done Athenaeum!
| Athenaeum 1 | Richmond | ||
| 1 | Mark Gray 200 | 0:1 | Iain Gourlay 225 |
| 2 | Dimitar Mogilarov 202 | 1:0 | Gavin Wall 223 |
| 3 | Daniel Lindner 204 | ½:½ | Mike Healey 212 |
| 4 | Emmanuel Voyiakis 188 | 1:0 | Caspar Bates 200 |
| 5 | Colin Menzies 206 | 1:0 | Julien Shepley 174 |
| 6 | Olivia Smith 188 | 1:0 | John Burke 181 |
| 7 | Carl Hetherington 166 | ½:½ | Martin Benjamin 176 |
| 8 | John Walton 175 | ½:½ | Mike Smart 171 |
| 9 | Charles McAleenan 156 | ½:½ | Chris Baker 165 |
| 10 | Steve Madden 156 | ½:½ | John Bass 168 |
| 6½:3½ |
43 years on, John Walton was again playing for Athenaeum against Richmond. Just as in 1976, he drew his game, but this time his teammates were more successful.