It was a tough week for relegation-battlers Nomads Tigers in Division One of the Clacton & District League, emerging with a just a single point from their two fixtures against the League’s top two teams.
Second-placed Windsor Condors proved a class above the Tigers, winning 10-0. Mel Rampton, Ollie Rampton and Martin Hogg remained unbeaten in a match where all but two encounters were settled in three-straight, and where there were only two deuce sets.
And the Tigers fared little better in the all-Nomads clash against the Panthers, going down 9-1. John Hatley and Gill Locke took hat-tricks for the winners, with reserve Liam Harris chipping in with an excellent couple. Chris Parr took the Tigers’ consolation point.
There was another top v bottom encounter when Walton A faced lowly Lawford, and it finished in a predictable 10-0 victory for Walton, Paul Woolnough, Kevin James and Gavin Price all taking trebles.
It was much-closer between Windsor Eagles and Walton B, the Eagles eventually edging it 6-4, Phil Smith their undefeated hero. For the losers, Colin Dearman won two, and Paul Meikle and Jason Gale one each, Dearman having the satisfaction of inflicting a rare 3-1 (7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-8) defeat on Gary Cattermole. The doubles ultimately proved pivotal, Smith and Cattermole beating Gale and Meikle 3-2 (9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9).
There was nothing to choose between Windsor Hawks and Walton C, every player picking up at least a point as the two teams shared the spoils for a second time this season. Peter Burrows’ maximum for Walton included an 11-6 in the decider win over Roger Hance, whilst there was one each for Paul Newbould and Graham Buxton, Buxton enjoying an unexpected 3-1 (11-6, 12-10, 11-13, 11-6) victory over Andy Vincent. For the Hawks, Hance won two, Vincent and Felipe Rodriguez one each, with Vincent and Rodriguez winning an important doubles, 11-9 in the fifth, against Newbould and Buxton.
Both Brotherhood sides included reserves in the ‘C’ v ‘D’ fixture, the ‘C’ team eventually getting home 6-4. Martin Edwards starred for Brotherhood C with a maximum which included a win in four over John Andrews. Reserve John Owen’s two for the winners included a 3-2 (11-13, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10) success over Russell Hillier. Andrews won two for the losers with Hillier chipping in with a 3-2 (9-11, 11-8, 10-12, 12-10, 11-5) victory over Kevin Pryor.
Brotherhood I marched on towards the Division Two title with a convincing 10-0 victory over Windsor Magpies. Paul Alden, John Owen and Graham Parkes all recorded trebles, Parkes winning the only match extended beyond the regulation three-straight, beating Dave Sweetland 3-2 (12-10, 7-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-6).
In an all-Brotherhood clash, hat-tricks from Mark Salter and Woody Fitzpatrick saw the ‘H’ team to an 8-2 success against the ‘G’ side. John Gallagher and Mark Beckham took a point each for the losers, Gallagher defeating Tricia Salter 3-2 (11-6, 6-11, 11-6, 11-13, 11-7) in the closest match of the evening.
The Windsor Buzzards v Nomads Bobcats fixture ended all-square. Liam Harris stayed unbeaten for the Bobcats although it was a close 11-5 in the decider against Pete Bloomfield. Andy Cawley won two for the Bobcats, as did Ray Chillingworth for the Buzzards.
Lee Allen and Shaun Beckham took trebles in Brotherhood F’s 9-1 success over Nomads Jaguars, Allen beating Harry Hawkes 11-7 in the fifth and Beckham beating Kevin Hume by an unusual-looking 3-2 (11-7, 4-11, 0-11, 11-4, 11-3). Barry Allen won a couple for the winners but went down 12-10 in the decider to Hawkes.
There were just two matches in Division Three but Bob Bales took the opportunity to record a debut League hat-trick for Windsor Robins against Nomads Leopards, beating both Bob Jillins and Dave Wright 11-9 in the decider. But two each from Jillins, Wright and John Wrigley gave the Leopards a 7-3 victory, Wrigley involved in their closest win, 11-7 in the fifth over Lee Atkins.
Windsor Falcons defeated a two-player Nomads Ocelots 7-3 to notch up their second win of the season. The only match which went to a fourth set was the doubles, Kayley Rodriguez and Mark Lamb beating Arthur Well-Garrett and Sue Lee 3-1 (11-9, 10-12, 11-5, 11-8).
* The Handicapped Singles Tournament takes place next Saturday, 2nd February at Windsor’s St James Hall. Play starts at 9.30am but players will be advised of their check-in times beforehand.
* The Pig Race Fun Night organised by the Windsor Club is on Saturday 16th February at St Osyth Village Hall, 7pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets are £3 each with free entry for children. Bring your own drink and nibbles. For more details, ring Jenny Higgins on 01255 432397 or Viv Rodriguez on 01255 830951.
* The League’s Quiz Evening is on Saturday 16th March at the Brotherhood Hall. More details will follow.
RESULTS
Division 1
Windsor Hawks 5 Walton C 5
Windsor Condors 10 Nomads Tigers 0
Walton C B 4 Windsor Eagles 6
Walton A 10 Lawford 0
Brotherhood D 4 Brotherhood C 6
Nomads Tigers 1 Nomads Panthers 9
Division 2
Brotherhood I 10 Windsor Magpies 0
Brotherhood H 8 Brotherhood G 2
Nomads Jaguars 1 Brotherhood F 9
Windsor Buzzards 5 Nomads Bobcats 5
Division 3
Windsor Falcons 7 Nomads Ocelots 3
Nomads Leopards 7 Windsor Robins 3