Could the Stokey Gammoners restore their pride having lost the Inaugural Match by 18 to 14 ? They were certainly hoping to do so if the chat in Stokey since June was anything to go by. But The RAC players had been having lessons from certain a Mr Dod Davies and their standard of play could have only got better. The challenge was on. 

The Fox Reformed was the chosen location to play the match. Regular Fox players were informed a good few weeks in advance that the Team Tournament would replace the usual Monday evening Tournament but that Ryan's Bar could accommodate Backgammoners if they so wished. 

Players arrived first one by one then there was yet another coming in the door every minute or so. Soon we had nearly everybody there, everybody had a drink and old acquaintances were made. 

Both Teams had a slight change of personnel. In the first Team Tournament both Teams players were rated 1 - 8. It's important to this format that a rating system is maintained otherwise a complete walkover could happen just because strong players are played against weak players. So the players who had played before were rated on their past performance and replacement players were slotted in in accordance to their supposed rating. 

Le Patron Robbie Richards opened the proceedings with a welcome to all and an update on the health of David Naylor the absent Captain of the Stokey Gammoners who along with Richard Edgecliffe-Johnson came up with the idea of this event. Also introduced was the "David Naylor Trophy" which has been created by Woodworker par Excellence Andy Kindler.

This trophy is to be played for for in all future Stokey Gammoners versus RAC Backgammon Circle matches. 

Proceedings were then handed over to yours truly who would again act as T.D. for the evening. A quick explanation as to the format was given and players pairing were called out. We only had one missing player who was sitting on one of the nice new but unsuitable to get to Stokey 73 Bendy Bus however the player arrived in sufficient time to not disturb the running of the tournament.




Round 1 left Teams with an equal number of wins. The stage was set for an interesting evening. 

Round 2 saw The RAC take a lead of 10 - 6. Was it all going to go pear shaped for the Stokeys ? It was looking that way - The RAC only needed a further 7 wins from the last 16 matches to walk away with the David Naylor Trophy.

Round 3 commenced after the enjoyable Buffet Dinner that was laid on as part of the evening. Fortified by this and a few glasses of wine The Stokey Gammoners were about to commence their comeback. I now started calling out results and scores as they were reported. We got to Stokey Gammoners 7, RAC Backgammon Circle 11 before The RAC wins came to a halt. A massive turnaround by The Stokeys - 7 out of 8 wins in Round 3 left the scores at Stokeys Gammoners 13, RAC Backgammon Circle 11.  I was glad to see that the tournament was not won in the 3rd Round - a possible scenario that would leave the tournament as a bit of a flop. 

The Stokeys were now chasing 4 wins out of the 8 remaining matches to secure the David Naylor Trophy. 5 out of 8 for The RAC would force a 5th Round Final Play-off of a 1 point 8 player versus 8 player match. I make no bones about it - the latter is what I was hoping would happen !

The Inaugural tournament was won by The RAC in the 29th match completed, however I had not on that occasion announced this as it happened. And so I decided that this should be my policy again. This was despite that every time, in this 2nd Team Tournament, I announced a result I had heard a discernable hush as I did so soon to be followed by cheers and agggs. I announced the 29th Match as Stokey Gammoners 16, RAC Backgammon Circle 13, 3 matches to complete.   

It was in the 30th Match that The Stokeys achieved the required 17 wins and thus the Tournament, but this was not announced for the benefit of those still playing. Thereafter each Team won one a piece leaving the final score at Stokey Gammoners 18, RAC Backgammon Circle 14.  An exact reversal of the Inaugural Team Tournament. 

Special mention must be given to Zoe Cunningham and Simon Gasquoine who were the players to win 4 out of 4. 

The David Naylor Trophy was awarded to maker Andy Kindler.


Thank you for all taking part - it was I think a good evening for all.