Reports by Robbie Coleman, Andrew Green and Connor Woods - Scottish Under 16, 14 and 12 team captains respectively

Pictures from the weekend

Report by International secretary Donna Officer

The Tri-nations cup was held at the University of Dublin this year. The Scottish team consisting of 22 junior players left on Friday 3 September accompanied by chaperones Alex McFarlane, Norrie and Maureen Mathie and myself.

Due to an Aer Lingus booking error, our party had to be split into two groups to travel to Ireland. The first party led by the Mathies left at the unearthly hour of 08.15 on Friday morning. It goes without saying it was a very sleepy group of travellers who gathered at the check-in at 06.00!! The second party left at 19.30 on Friday evening, arriving at Dublin University at around 21.00. The accommodation booked for us was lovely - 3 apartments, each with five twin rooms and a common room and kitchen. Norrie and Maureen had settled the first group into their rooms and after the second group settled we had our team meeting! Curfews set, plans of action laid out and team captains elected. The players nominated and voted for their own team captains and so it was that Connor Woods (U/12), Andrew Green (U/14) and Christopher Macdonald (U/16) took command of their respective teams.

Round 1 - Saturday

The first match, against Wales, was on Saturday morning. After a good night's sleep and tasty breakfast the players were fighting fit for their first encounter. Unfortunately Matthew O'Donnell had not been very well during the night and was suffering with an upset stomach. However, being a great team player, he pointedly refused to withdraw and took his seat amongst his team mates looking fairly green about the gills!!Before long the results started coming in. The last 2 boards in the U/12 Section were given byes because the Welsh were unable to provide opponents - good for the points, but a little unfortunate for Craig Petrie and Ruairidh Milne who had to be content with the friendly matches organised for them.

Results:-

U/12 Scotland win 7 - 1
Connor Woods 1
Ian MacGregor 1
Matthew O'Donnell 1 - Well done!!
Rhian Hughes 1
Jonathan Wright 1
Jonathan Edwards 0
Ruairidh Milne - bye
Craig Petrie - bye

U/14 Scotland win 5 - 3
Andrew Green 1/2
Calum MacQueen 1
Ian Nisbet 0
Amy Officer 1
Stuart Leslie 0
Adam Bremner 1
Natalie Donohue 1
Blair Hawthorne 1/2

U/16 Scotland win 5 - 0
Christopher Macdonald 0
Hugh Brechin 1
Ivan Stokes 1
Robbie Coleman 1
David Oswald 1
Anthony Anderson 1

Round 2 - Scotland versus Ireland

U/12 Ireland win 6 - 2
Connor Woods 0
Ian MacGregor 0
Matthew O'Donnell 0
Rhian Hughes 0
Jonathan Wright 0
Jonathan Edwards 1
Ruairidh Milne 0
Craig Petrie 1

U/14 Draw 4 - 4
Andrew Green 1/2
Calum MacQueen 1/2
Ian Nisbet 1/2
Amy Officer 1/2
Stuart Leslie 1
Adam Bremner 0
Natalie Donohue 0
Blair Hawthorne 1

U/16 Draw 3 - 3
Christopher Macdonald 1/2
Hugh Brechin 1/2
Ivan Stokes 1
Robbie Coleman 1/2
David Oswald 1/2
Anthony Anderson 0

Saturday evening was spent playing football and ten pin bowling at a nearby sports centre. Scotland played Ireland at football but it was a bit hard to determine who won as only half of the pitch was floodlit!

Sunday

Although players were packed off to bed at the curfew hour, there were signs that certain individuals had managed to pull off the much whispered about midnight feast! Nevertheless all players and managers were up in time for breakfast and our final team talk of the tournament. By this time we knew what each team had to do to win their sections and so we could formaulate a plan of action which was quite simple - win as many games as possible!!! (And hope Ireland A lost a lot too!)

Round 3 Scotland versus Ireland B

U/12 Scotland wins 8 - 0!!!

U/14 Scotland wins 6 - 2
Andrew Green 1
Calum MacQueen 0
Ian Nisbet 1/2
Amy Officer 1
Stuart Leslie - bye
Adam Bremner 1
Natalie Donohue 1
Blair Hawthorne 1/2

U/16 Scotland wins 5 - 1
Christopher Macdonald 1
Hugh Brechin 1
Ivan Stokes 1
Robbie Coleman 1
David Oswald 0
Anthony Anderson 1

Final Results

U/12
Ireland A 19.5
Scotland 17
Ireland B 9.5
Wales 3

U/14
Scotland 15
Ireland A 14.5
Wales 10.5
Ireland B 8

U/16
Scotland 13
Ireland A 12.5
Wales 8.5
Ireland B 2

Prizegiving took place straight after the end of the last round. It was a very jubilant Scottish squad who stood up to take their prizes, coming first in the U/14 & U/16 and second in the U/12. The trophies were awarded by Junior Minister Noel Aherne.

We held an impromptu award ceremony during the course of the afternoon when the managers announced the winners of the team 'best performance' and
'Man of the Match' awards. Norrie, Maureen and Alex had been judges and the prizes went to:

U/12 - Matthew O'Donnell for a score of 2 points and displaying a great fighting spirit by continuing to play when obviously unwell. (and winning his game)

U/14 - Amy Officer for a score of 2.5 points and good international relations. She seems to have spoken to every other player in every team! (Particularly the boys!!)

U/16 - Ivan Stokes for a brilliant score of 3 out of 3!!

'Man of the Match' went to Andrew Green for excellent team leadership!

After a quick game of footie in the nearby park(even Alex joined in!!!!! - got photos but he would never speak to me again if I showed them), ably referreed by Norrie, it was time to catch the bus to the airport.

All in all it appeared a great time was had by all. I would like to congratulate the players on their performance, excellent team spirit and brilliant behaviour. I have travelled away with many teams but this trip had to be the smoothest running. (Well, AFTER all the flight problems, payment problems, accommodation booking problems were sorted out!) Parents can be very, very proud of their children - they proved to excellent ambassadors for their country.

I would like to thank the team captains, accompanying parents and most of all Norrie, Maureen and Alex for their help, support and advice. They have been involved with Chess Scotland for a number of years and I cannot praise them highly enough for their dedication and commitment to the junior players. Finally, thanks to all the players' parents for their support and understanding during the run up to the Tri-nations. This trip will certainly go down in history as the most difficult to organise!!

I would like to thank Chess Scotland for giving me the opportunity to travel with such a wonderful group of players and managers.