7 November 2016

Our November meeting was won by Paul who beat Ian Baker in the final. Gary gave a well received lecture & the new visitors were John Horton & Jamie as well as Dexter (Paul's dog) as you will see below. 

24 October 2016

A special club evening took place at the G Casino on 24th October for league matches.

3 October 2016

13 players pitched up & we were pleased to welcome Jonathan Backhouse for the first time. Paul started the evening with a lecture on the doubling cube & in the knock-out Paul shared first place with Ian Baker. Jonathan reached the semi-final on his first visit.

 Alan on his way to a win against Martin

 Jonathan beats Graeme

 Another first time visitor, Pippa rests while Gary plays

Mike against joint champ, Ian

Build-a-baffle-box-bonanza!

Remember the article on the British Backgammon Federation web site last autumn about the pros and cons of baffle boxes?  This was followed up by a poll to evaluate members' attitudes to using them in match play, the results of which can be found here.

Well, for those of you who are in favour of such devices, you might want to have a try at building your own.  Make: magazine has just published an article with links to how-to guides and resources for those who want to give it a go, you can find it here.

Club Night, Monday 5 September 2016

 Eleven players pitched up for our September club night. Paul Gilbertson gave a half hour tuition session.

 This was of great benefit to Pol who beat Paul in the subsequent tournament

Gary v Ian

 Alan v Stephen

 Semi-final Alan v Graeme

 Final: Graeme v Pol

Pol emerges as the winner of the September tournament having beaten Paul, Martin & Graeme.

National Clubs Championship

Our club entered two teams for the UK Clubs Championship in East Didsbury, near Manchester. Our first team reached the quarter final & our second team were runners-up in the Consolation event.

NEBA "B" are presented with the prizes for runners-up in the Consolation tournament. Left to right: Ian Tarr (TD), Martin Barkwill (standing in for Allan Dye), Don Irving (captain), Mike Snowdon, Ian Cumpson & Ian Baker. A fine performance by all!

Consolation Final. Allan Dye is up against Grand Master Julian Fetterlein & Mike Snowdon plays Chris Rogers of Bristol "A" team.

NEBA teams.

Mochy Dinner

Three of our members attended a dinner in London prior to the London Open with World Number One player, Masayuki Mochizuki (Mochy). Gary Bratton is third from the left seated next to Romolo Mudu, restaurant owner & keen player & next to him is Peter Bennet , UK Federation board member.

Between dishes, Mochy revealed some of the secrets of his success & took questions from those present. To his right are Neil Webb, British Open champion & a frequent visitor to Newcastle events & Tim Cross, UK captain.

Derek Cooper, who has recently joined our club, shakes hands with Mochy.