The NSDCA players acquitted themselves well at this weekend's Shropshire Congress with two prize winners (Julian Hawthorne and Matthew Carr) and some very good performances. Alex Richardson of Newcastle, playing in the Open, came joint 4th, behind an IM, GM and FM, out of a very strong field of 37, losing only one game and finishing just a point behind the winner. Danny Griffiths of Fenton finished joint 5th out of 39 in the Major, just half a point behind the 4 joint winners. Rich Wiltshire of Kidsgrove went into the final day of the Congress with a perfect 3/3 score in the Major but, unfortunately, lost his last 2 games to finish joint 10th, along with Jon Blackburn and Matthew Carr of Cheddleton. Matthew won the U140 Grading Prize for his performance. Julian Hawthorne of Kidsgrove finished joint 3rd out of 56 in the Minor, just half a point behind the joint winners.
