Worcester & District Chess League
Ray Collett wins 2018-9 Ball Cup
9 Aug. Collett wins Ball Cup. Malvern hosted the showdown for this competition with Brian Turner acting as Arbiter. Brian in his controller's report wrote: "John had the advantage in the early part of the game, but Ray defended strongly and eventually won a well-played ending with bishops of opposite colours".
31 Jul. Ball Cup final. In the first of two games, John Varilone (Kidderminster) playing white, won a pawn in the late middle game. Although having a good position Varilone allowed Collett to exchange down to a queen and multi-pawn ending still a pawn down. Computers claimed to see a win after about a hundred moves, but beginning to run short of time, Varilone offered a draw.
29 May. John Varilone sets up a decider final against Collett with a win against Waud.
16 May. Vernon retired from the competition because of pressure of work.
10 Jan. Collett and Waud set the Ball rolling, but chickened out with a short draw in a complex position with both players getting short of time.
Seven players competed for the Ball Cup in a six-round all-play-all tournament.
| Players | Club | Grade | RaC | DW | MB | JV | MC | CV | WK | Total |
| Ray Collett | Worcester | 147 | ½ | 1 | ½ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| David Waud | Kidderminster | 133 | ½ | ½ | w | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Michael Butcher | Malvern | 121 | 0 | ½ | 0 | w | + | w | 1½ | |
| John Varilone | Kidderminster | 121 | ½ | 1 | 1 | 1 | + | ½ | 5 | |
| Michael Chester | Malvern | 110 | 0 | 0 | b | 0 | + | w | 1 | |
| Colin Vernon | Worcester | 95 | 0 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 w/d | |
| Will Kemp | Worcester | u/g | 0 | 1 | b | ½ | b | + | 2½ |
Nov. New organiser and controller. Brian Turner stepped up to become the controller of the 2018-9 competition.