Broadstairs 2½ Margate 1½
| 1 | John Couzens (125) | 0-1 | Clive Le Baigue (105) |
| 2 | Andy Flood (117) | 1-0 | Leon Garfield (102) |
| 3 | Reg Pidduck (107) | ½-½ | John Clarke (94) |
| 4 | Bob Cronin (103) | 1-0 | James Maskell (77) |
Andy Flood writes:
A tough, close match took place at Broadstairs on Monday as the defending Hargreaves Shield champions kicked off the 2016/17 season with a home match against neighbours Margate. The team saw the introduction of Reg ‘the President’ Pidduck replacing Paul (Houdini) Carfrae who had gone missing on a year’s sabbatical. With the Gullbuster playing on board 1 and Broadstairs Bob on board 4, the match was incredibly close. The late night commenced with an early win for Broadstairs Bob, who always seemed in control and on target to deliver what was a valuable point. The Gullbuster on the top board went about his busting business, dominating the early stages and going an exchange up before suffering a shock defeat at the hands of Clive. With the match all square 1–1, the remaining matches lasted until almost 11.00. Broadstairs finally secured a point on board 2 after going an early pawn up and finally converting the advantage against a resolute Leon Garfield, who eventually succumbed to a checkmate under time pressure. With only minutes to spare, the President agreed a draw with Margate’s John Clarke in a pawn ending in which Reg had the edge but was keen to leave nothing to chance, thus securing a drawn game but a won match for Broadstairs.