Last year, Seaton improved their chances by bringing in Steve Martin, and this year added Dr. Jonathan Underwood, which tipped the balance altogether. Seaton won both rounds 2.5 – 1.5 and finished 5-3 winners. Chris Scott maintained his continuing improvement by winning his individual encounter against Martin, while Jones managed to stem early aggression from Adams and may have had very slight advantages in both games but with time running out offered draws, which Adams was minded to accept. But Underwood was clearly fired up after winning 6 Blitz games eight days earlier and the combination of his endgame technique and speed of move proved too much for the Exmouth captain. Blake had a won position in Rd. 1 but ran very low on time and Dowse kindly offered a draw when he could have won on time.
Exmouth have started with a loss several times before in this competition, but managed to make up lost ground. In this case, this seems less likely than hitherto, and Seaton must be considered serious contenders for the title.
| RapidPlay League | 27.10.2014 | ||||||||
| Seaton | Grd | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Exmouth | Grd | ||
| 1 | Jon Underwood | 179 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Mark Abbott | 167 | |
| 2 | Steve Martin | 172 | ½ | 0 | ½ | 1 | Chris Scott | 157 | |
| 3 | Martyn Adams | 133 | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | Bob Jones | 147 | |
| 4 | Alan Dowse | 111 | ½ | 1 | ½ | 0 | Simon Blake | 91 | |
| 2½ | 2½ | 1½ | 1½ | ||||||
| 595 | 562 | ||||||||
| 5 | 3 |
Seaton players facing camera: Underwood, Martin (shaking hands), Adams (purple shirt) and Dowse.
Martin (l) vs Scott (nearest) & Underwood vs Abbott.