The 2013-14 season saw Cumnor 1 compete in Oxford and District League 2 for a second year in a row.
Our aim at the start of the season was to improve on last year’s league position (6th out of 7) and cement our place in League 2.
The season didn’t start too well with an away defeat to Wantage 2 (4-2) followed by playing the two favourites for promotion Witney 2 and Didcot 1. We lost both of those games, Witney 2 (1-5) and Didcot 1 (6-0).
After three games we had a grand total of points and were bottom of the table.
Sandwiched in between those disappointments was the first round of the Frank Wood Shield (aka FWS, our version of the FA Cup if you like), where we beat Wantage 2 (2.5-3.5) for our first win.
However the FWS is a handicapped competition and we where duly knocked out. Pah.
Out first real win of the season was against City 2 (5-1) and it started a nice little run of form which took us into the new year.
Home wins against Bicester 1 (3.2-2.5), Wantage 1 (3.5-2.5) and Cowley 3 (5-1) helped not only our position in the league but also our game point difference.
Confidence was high when we went to face both Witney 2 and Didcot 1 in February aiming to get our revenge.
It didn’t work out against Witney who beat us 5-1 again but a closer match against Didcot 1 (2.5-3.5) showed a great improvement from earlier in the season.
As we entered the end of the season we gained a hard fought away draw with City 2 (3-3).
With two games left we had escaped safely from the relegation zone, and promotion was assured. But we had the unenviable task of playing the bottom two sides in the league, Bicester 1 and Cowley 3, both fighting for their lives.
We won away to Bicester 1 (3.5-2.5). but it was our last game against Cowley 3 which was the decider for relegation.
A win for Cumnor 1 would send Cowley 3 down. but a draw or a win for Cowley 3 would send Bicester 1 down in their place.
It was a tight game with a couple of controversial moments but Cowley 3 won (3.5-2.5) and gained safety.
Highlight of the season – Gaining our highest ever position and points total in the Oxfordshire Chess Leagues.
Lowlight of the season – Losing twice to Didcot 1 and Witney 2.
The final table can be found here.
