Ravens indebted to determined Long
John Long has proved to be one of the most determined players in the Clacton and District Table Tennis League over many years. This week in Division Two the Windsor Ravens’ player had to summon every ounce of tenacity and energy to help his side to a 6-4 win over promotion contenders Brotherhood C.
Long remained unbeaten but it was hard-fought against both Fred Gallone, 11-8 in the fifth, and Kevin Pryor, 11-9 in the fifth.
The entire match was a close-run thing with five of the matches decided deep in the fifth set. Brotherhood skipper Pryor inflicted a first defeat of the season, 11-5 in the decider, on John Harvey, whilst Harvey struggled before beating Gallone 3-2 (5-11, 11-7, 10-12, 12-10, 15-13).
It was Brotherhood C’s first defeat of the season and, with Lawford match-less this week, it enabled Brotherhood D to leap-frog to the top, beating a weakened Windsor Owls 9-1 with something to spare. Adam Jackson took the Owls’ sole point with victory over Russell Hillier.
It was also 8-2 for Nomads Tigers against Brotherhood F, Simon Smith-Daye unbeaten and Eric Lemke denied his own maximum by Barry Allen, losing their individual match 11-9 in the fifth.
Seven of the matches went the distance as Windsor Magpies drew with Windsor Harriers, Graham Bunce and Dave Martin taking two each for the Magpies but Ian Fielder of the Harriers proving the star of the show, his hat-trick of wins all being decided in the fifth set.
Brotherhood E had something to celebrate when they took their first win of the season, 6-4 against fellow-strugglers Brotherhood G, Tony Edmonds and Rodney Betts both staying unbeaten. The result takes the ‘E’ team off the foot of the table for the first time this season.
Nomads Ocelots are proving something of an unreliable side this season and, fielding a guest and a reserve against Nomads Cougars, they lost 8-2 and are now propping up the Division. The closest match of the evening saw Sam Hume beat the Ocelots’ Andy North 13-11 in the decider.
In Division Three Brotherhood J are now clear leaders following two comprehensive wins, Tom Burton and Kelvin Olano staying unbeaten in both matches.
In their first match they defeated Brotherhood M 8-2, Lucy Burton picking up a win against Vicki Edwards, whilst the ‘M’ team’s Gracie Edwards was most unfortunate, taking Olano all the way before losing 12-10 in the decider.
Against Brotherhood L, the score was 9-1, Lucy Burton taking two but losing out to Debra Found.
Nomads Pumas are second following a straightforward 10-0 win over Windsor Kites, moving above Brotherhood I who were held to a draw by Nomads Lynx, Allen Denyer taking a treble for Brotherhood, Kevin Hume and Mike Vilka winning two each for the Lynx.
Windsor Swallows moved into the promotion mix, defeating Brotherhood L 9-1, Malcolm Caley and Angela Barratt unbeaten but Iris Howlett just failing to secure her hat-trick, losing 12-10 in the decider to Morgan Harvey.
Five of the matches between Nomads Leopards and Brotherhood K went the distance, the Leopards edging it 6-4 – but not before Brotherhood super-veteran Brian Baines had notched up the hardest of hard-fought hat-tricks with wins over Tony Rayner, Norman Jacobs and Roger McNaughton, all of which ended 11-9 in the fifth!
Windsor Penguins are enjoying a good season and they emphasised this with a 7-3 victory over a Brotherhood H side fielding a guest player, Windsor’s Sue Chillingworth battling for her point against David Wilkin, winning 3-2 (9-11, 11-8, 5-11, 18-16, 12-10).
Pete Miller and Brian Friday won two each for Nomads Wildcats against Nomads Bobcats but the Bobcats emerged 6-4 winners, Vic Little getting the crucial point with an 3-2 (8-11, 15-13, 11-4, 5-11, 12-10) victory against Harry Beezer of the Wildcats.
In Division One Nomads Panthers maintained their unbeaten run with a comprehensive 9-1 victory over Walton C with none of the matches extended to a fifth set, Colin Webber and Joe Andrews both taking trebles.
Windsor Condors beat Walton B 8-2, Condors’ reserve Ian Fielder playing well to beat Graham Buxton although Buxton excelled to defeat Gary Cattermole 11-8 in the fifth. The closest match of the evening was the doubles in which Cattermole and Gary Young beat Buxton and Paul Newbould in a nerve-jangling 3-2 (11-6, 23-25, 10-12, 13-11, 13-11).
With five of the matches between Walton A and Windsor Eagles going to five, the 9-1 score-line flattered Walton A, John Rice and Matthew Watson both unbeaten with Sue Welham taking the Eagles’ consolation point with victory over Colin Dearman.
No-one stayed unbeaten and every player picked up a point in a tight drawn match between Windsor Hawks and Brotherhood B. There were two each for Windsor’s Felipe Rodriguez and for Brotherhood’s Stewart Murray and Martin Edwards. In a topsy-turvy match, Windsor’s Annabelle Rodriguez beat John Owen who beat John Barton who beat Stewart Murray who beat Felipe Rodriguez who beat Martin Edwards.
A two-man Windsor Kestrels’ side went down 9-1 to Walton D, Windsor’s Frank Burbidge taking his team’s only point with an 3-2 (8-11, 13-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7) win over Paul Woolnough.
Finally, the all-Nomads bottom-of-the-table clash between the Jaguars and the Lions ended with honours even, the Jaguars’ skipper Brian Parish showing his mettle to win three close in five, the closest being a 12-10 in the decider victory over John Fenton. Colin Beaumont picked up a couple for the Jaguars as did John Hatley for the Lions.
* The Handicapped Doubles Tournament takes place on Saturday 24th November at the Coastal Academy Sports Hall. Entries can be made either in pairs or as a single player. The entry fee is £3 per player.
Entries, with the £3 entry fee, can be sent to Tony Oswick or made on-line. The closing date is Monday 19th November. Full details have been sent to Team Secretaries.
* The Windsor Club Quiz takes place on Saturday 24th November at St James’ Hall (7.30 pm for 8.00 pm) for teams of up to six. Tickets are £6.00 and include a ploughman’s supper. Bring your own drinks. To enter a team ring Jenny Higgins on 01255 432397.
RESULTS
Division 1
Windsor Eagles 1 Walton A 9;
Nomads Panthers 9 Walton C 1;
Windsor Hawks 5 Brotherhood B 5;
Walton B 2 Windsor Condors 8;
Nomads Jaguars 5 Nomads Lions 5;
Walton D 9 Windsor Kestrels 1.
Division 2
Brotherhood F 2 Nomads Tigers 8;
Windsor Ravens 6 Brotherhood C 4;
Nomads Cougars 8 Nomads Ocelots 2;
Brotherhood G 4 Brotherhood E 6;
Windsor Magpies 5 Windsor Harriers 5;
Brotherhood D 9 Windsor Owls 1.
Division 3
Brotherhood J 8 Brotherhood M 2;
Nomads Wildcats 4 Nomads Bobcats 6;
Brotherhood L 1 Windsor Swallows 9;
Brotherhood J 9 Brotherhood L 1;
Windsor Kites 0 Nomads Pumas 10;
Windsor Penguins 7 Brotherhood H 3;
Nomads Leopards 6 Brotherhood K 4;
Nomads Lynx 5 Brotherhood I 5.
To view the full tables click here
Tony Oswick