The first team started with a loss and a win in the first weekend of the SNCL.

In round 1 there was a bit of controversy. Team captain Elliot Sloan had, quite reasonably, written out our team in SCA grading order. However, Max Turner, our English guest and a fast improving junior, mentioned that his latest FIDE grading was now the highest on the team and, this being a FIDE rated tournament, he wouldn't mind a shot at board 1. After some discussion, the Dragons agreed amongst themselves to let Max play on top board but this appeared to discombobulate the Edinburgh West team captain who wanted to know which order we were playing in and what our gradings were.

Apparently, away from the boards, discussions between our own Jim O'Neil, their captain and an arbiter, had determined that we should play in SCA order, but somehow this information did not filter through to the players. Meanwhile, at the boards, their top two players seemed to be of the opinion that their captain was taking things a little too seriously and after a few minutes delay (all other matches having already begun) we started our clocks with Max on board 1.

Anyway, Max proceeded to justify his placing by beating FM Redpath. So far so good and Mark managed to hold on for a draw against IM Pritchett on board 2 but, unfortunately, results on the remaining boards went against us.

In the second round team captain Elliot Sloan was the hero who got the crucial win, beating the in form Edwin Spencer, fresh from his recent triumph at the Dundee Congress.