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SPENS CUP 1902
The Spens Cup was instituted in memory of the late Sheriff Walter Cook Spens (1842-1900). The trophy was to be competed for yearly by those clubs not eligible to compete for the Richardson Cup. The Scottish Chess Association was responsible for overseeing both competitions.
The honour of being the first club to win the Spens Cup in season 1901/2 went to Helensburgh CC, formed in 1895. Two matches were needed to find a winner, as the first match was tied. (There were only five boards in the teams at that time.) The replay was held on Saturday, 1st March.
The first board for Helensburgh was Andrew Bonar Law, Conservative M.P for the Blackfriars and Hutchesontown constituency in Glasgow, and a future Prime Minister. His brother, John, played on board three.
1 A. B. Law J. Borthwick 2 E. Lacaille W. Bremner 3 J.R.K. Law J.J.S. Gray 4 F. Lacaille R.A. Blackwood 5 Thos. Brash W.R.C. Murdoch Information extracted from the British Chess Magazine 1902, pages 182-3.