Wolverhampton needed to be at full strength to face a strong Bushbury side in the local derby match.  As it turned out, they faced a grading deficit of just over 15 points per board and an uphill struggle. Dave Wightman was the first to show, blundering a pawn in the opening.  Peter Pearson-Jones soon followed, also going a pawn down.  Gordon Sands agreed a draw to put the first points on the board for both sides.  Mike Townsend got his opponent into some time trouble and was able to convert it into a pawn lead, but then Phil Porter and Ilan Dwek lost in quick succession to leave the match 0.5 - 2.5 down at the adjournment position.  Three matches were adjourned, with Mike Townsend a pawn up but with opposite coloured bishops, Peter Pearson-Jones a pawn down and Dave Wightman an exchange down but with dangerous passed pawns as compensation.  Needing three wins to take the match, or two wins and a draw to tie, a positive result now seems unlikely for the home side.  Thanks to Bushbury for an interesting set of matches and good luck for the rest of the season.