Longbridge Chess Club are proud to announce that we have officially been crowned Worcester Chess Association Division One Rapidplay Champions for the 2025/26 season. Bringing home the trophy after a fantastic campaign filled with competitive chess, strong team performances, and contributions from players across the entire squad.
Winning any competition is a huge achievement. But to come out on top in Division One against some of the strongest clubs in the area makes this title even more special.
The season was built on consistency. Across twelve rapidplay matches, Longbridge repeatedly found ways to pick up points. We avoided heavy defeats and turned close contests into valuable results.
Our season began with a pair of hard-fought 2-2 draws away at Kidderminster. Then some excellent victories against Redditch gave us early momentum. Two more draws followed against Worcester Knights before another successful evening against Kidderminster. This moved us firmly into contention for the title.
The final push came with two excellent 3-1 victories over Redditch. To seal the championship and ensure the trophy would be heading back to Longbridge.
A True Team Effort
One of the biggest strengths of this squad was its depth. Nine different players represented Longbridge throughout the season, and every single one contributed towards the final outcome.
The squad was made up of:
- Cory Hazlehurst
- Mark Bethel
- Matt Clarke
- Jonathan Swindells
- Phil Maddocks
- Carmelo Tirado Simarro
- Gavin Cartwright
- Stephen Woodhouse
- Jordan Cummins
Some players featured occasionally, while others carried a huge workload throughout the campaign, but every point mattered.
Outstanding Individual Performances
Several players produced exceptional seasons.
- Cory Hazlehurst – 2/2 (100%)
- Mark Bethel – 2/2 (100%)
- Matt Clarke – 2/2 (100%)
- Jonathan Swindells – 1½/2 (75%)
- Phil Maddocks – 6½/10 (65%)
Special recognition must go to Phil Maddocks and Carmelo Tirado Simarro, who were the true workhorses of the side. Both players turned out ten times over the course of the season and consistently delivered important points whenever called upon.
At the top end of the board order, the team also benefited from some incredible strength. Players such as Cory Hazlehurst, Jonathan Swindells, Matt Clarke and Mark Bethel provided Longbridge with a formidable presence whenever they represented the club.
Perfect Records
It’s impossible not to mention the performances of Matt Clarke, Corey Hazlehurst and Mark Bethel this season.
A perfect 2 wins from 2 games, a 100% score. As a result they all achieved over 2150 performance rating.
Granted, some people may point out that only playing two games slightly helps preserve a perfect record. But we’re choosing to ignore that entirely and celebrate the statistics exactly as they are!
After all, if you’re going to have a perfect season, you may as well enjoy it.
More Than Just a Trophy
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this achievement is what it says about Longbridge Chess Club as a whole.
Over recent years, the club has continued to grow. We have welcomed new members, developing players of all strengths, and created an environment where people genuinely enjoy coming together to play chess.
This trophy represents far more than a collection of results. It represents hundreds of hours spent around the boards, friendships built through the game, players helping one another improve, and a club that continues to move from strength to strength.
There is a real sense of momentum at Longbridge. This title feels like another important milestone in the club’s journey.
Congratulations to everyone involved.
Worcester Chess Association Division One Rapidplay Champions 2025/26. A fantastic achievement and one the entire club can be proud of.