Grantham 1 returned to the top flight after a 4 year absence and lost narrowly to Gambit 2. It doesn’t get easier for Grantham. Next up, they host the Champions, Mansfield.
West Bridgford 2 and Nomads 2, the promoted clubs in Division 2, both lost. WB2 lost narrowly to Radcliffe & Bingham 1. The teams were matched on rating, Alan Griffiths scored a win on his debut for R&B. (R&B1 just missed out on promotion last season. Strengthened, they will be hard to beat this season). Nomads 2 were well beaten by West Nottingham 1. They could not hold WN’s talented, young top board pairing.
Ashfield 1, dropping down to Division 2, scored a narrow win against Ashfield 2, thanks to a win by club debutant, Oliver Graham.