Given last year’s highly contested draw (a very exciting 3-3 result), the highly fancied Princes team was very eager with a devotion bordering on obsession to retain the impressive piece of silverware that is proudly raised by the victors each year (as well as the bragging rights) - and yet again be crowned the undisputed best Old Scholars Chess Team.
We were well prepared for Saints to challenge us and attempt to capture the spoils of victory that has eluded our opposition for more than a decade - and it was clearly noticeable that their team consisted of, arguably, their most highly rated players ever to play at this event.
After hard-fought matches, and with Princes taking a very handy early 1-0 lead, with a great win by Anthony Milton (2010) against a recent South Australian and City of Adelaide Chess Champion within 30 minutes of play, and a worthy draw by recent Old Red Preshaan Thavarajah (2020), our other players comprising Peter Gregoric (2017), Oliver Oks (1996), Wesley Legrand (1996), and Luke Dollman (1991) were not able to improve our score – with the final result being a highly unpredicted 1.5-4.5 in favour of our opposition.
It is important to note that Princes has dominated this Old Scholars’ Week event with thirty-seven victories in fifty generally hotly-contested battles since 1972 - there have also been five draws (Note : This event was not contested in 2009).
Thank you to all of our players – their strong fighting spirit ensured another enjoyable Old Scholars' Week function for the Old Reds, albeit amidst the historic fiercely competitive intense rivalry between our great Associations.
Particular gratitude is extended to Saints for hosting this social occasion, as well as to Mary-Ann Standish (PAOCA Executive Officer) for her assistance in organizing this great event.
I am very pleased and excited to announce that the Princes team is very eager to make amends at our 2023 encounter with our old foe.
Michael Hihimanis (1980)
Chess Intercol Convenor and Captain