Brotherhood J hit the ton
Division Three Brotherhood J became the first side in the Clacton and District League to reach a century of points when they took twenty-seven points from their three pre-Christmas matches.
The Brotherhood youngsters recorded predictable 10-0 wins over both Windsor Kites and Nomads Lynx although neither was without its alarms.
Lucy Burton struggled against the Kites’ Carl Hubbard before winning 3-2 (11-9, 2-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9) whilst Tom Burton beat Kevin Hume of Nomads Lynx 3-2 (8-11, 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8).
The Brotherhood side followed these with a hard-fought 7-3 victory against Nomads Wildcats, winning the three matches that went the distance.
Tom Burton defeated Brian Friday 11-6 in the fifth, Lucy Burton excelled to beat Pete Miller 12-10 in the fifth, whilst Tom Burton and Kelvin Olano narrowly preserved their unbeaten doubles record, 3-2 (12-10, 9-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9) against Friday and Miller.
So Brotherhood J will start the New Year eleven points clear at the top – and favourites to take the title.
The remaining five results from the Division all produced tight matches, none more so than the Brotherhood H v Brotherhood M encounter which ended with honours-even. Cris Edwards took her maximum for the ‘M’ team whilst there were two each for the ‘H’ team’s Gerald Batt and Michael Gallone, Gallone enjoying a narrow 3-2 (11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 11-13, 12-10) victory over Gracie Edwards. It was the ‘M’ side’s sixth drawn match of the season.
In another drawn match, Debra Morgan and Morgan Harvey took a pair apiece for Brotherhood L whilst Ray Chillingworth stayed unbeaten for Windsor Penguins.
Alan Dockerill recorded a fine hat-trick for Nomads Pumas against Brotherhood I, his treble including an 11-9 in the fifth win over John Wrigley. But two each for Wrigley and Allen Denyer, and one from Rowan Cottee, earned second-placed Brotherhood a 6-4 victory.
Angela Barratt with three, Malcolm Caley with two and Iris Howlett with one were Windsor Swallows’ points-scorers in their 6-4 success against Brotherhood K. Pete Bloomfield won twice for Brotherhood.
Nomads Lynx were 6-4 victors over Nomads Wildcats, Mike Vilka unbeaten and Tom Collins winning two. Brian Friday took a couple, and Hazel Blanche and Paul Dale one each for the Wildcats.
Nomads Leopards won all three matches that went to five which helped them to a 6-4 victory against Nomads Bobcats, Tony Rayner winning three and Roger McNaughton two. Denise Thompson took a two for the losers.
In Division One Phil Smith was unbeaten for Windsor Eagles in his side’s hard-fought 6-4 win over Walton B, the closest match of the evening seeing Smith defeat Graham Buxton 3-2 (11-9, 9-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9). Fred Button took a couple for the Eagles as did Gavin Price for Walton.
Five of the matches between Walton D and Nomads Lions went to a decider but Walton won four of them and came out 7-3 winners. Kevin James took a treble for Walton whilst George Kalli took a couple. John Hatley was the Lions’ best player on the night with wins over Kalli and Paul Woolnough.
There were hat-tricks for Greg Green and Alan Burgess as Brotherhood A defeated Windsor Hawks 7-3 but Nomads Panthers leap-frogged over them to take top spot following a comfortable
10-0 victory against bottom-team Nomads Jaguars.
In Division Two Brotherhood D were held to a draw by Windsor Magpies for whom Dave Martin stayed undefeated. Russell Hillier and Lee Harvey won two each for Brotherhood.
The Lawford v Nomads Cougars match also ended all-square, Richard Spence taking his customary treble for Lawford, Paul Hume and Sam Hume winning two apiece for the Cougars.
Lawrence Torr with a hat-trick and Fred Gallone with two steered Brotherhood C to a 6-4 victory against Windsor Harriers. Windsor’s Jenny Higgins had a surprise win over Kevin Pryor.
Every player picked up a point as Brotherhood F defeated Windsor Ravens 7-3, David North winning his three. Sandie Isaac played well to beat both John Long and Brian Thiel although she surprisingly lost 11-8 in the decider to Justin Reichert.
Adam Jackson was on-song for Windsor Owls, taking three in his side’s 6-4 success over Brotherhood E. Tricia Salter took two for Windsor as did Tony Edmonds for Brotherhood. But there was cause for the Brotherhood side to celebrate, winning a first doubles of the season, Edmonds and Rodney Betts beating Jackson and Salter
3-2 (11-13, 11-6, 9-11, 13-11, 11-6).
Finally, in a match brought forward, Nomads Tigers and Nomads Ocelots met for the second time in two weeks with the Ocelots exacting revenge for an earlier defeat, this time winning 8-2. Reserve Harry Hawkes was unbeaten and Doug Green and Daryl Lott each won twice, the closest match seeing Hawkes defeat Darren Bunce 12-10 in the decider.
RESULTS
Division 1
Walton D 7 Nomads Lions 3;
Walton B 4 Windsor Eagles 6;
Brotherhood A 7 Windsor Hawks 3;
Nomads Jaguars 0 Nomads Panthers 10.
Division 2
Windsor Harriers 4 Brotherhood C 6;
Nomads Tigers 2 Nomads Ocelots 8;
Windsor Magpies 5 Brotherhood D 5;
Lawford 5 Nomads Cougars 5;
Brotherhood F 7 Windsor Ravens 3;
Brotherhood E 4 Windsor Owls 6.
Division 3
Brotherhood J 7 Nomads Wildcats 3;
Windsor Kites 0 Brotherhood J 10;
Nomads Lynx 0 Brotherhood J 10;
Nomads Wildcats 4 Nomads Lynx 6;
Windsor Penguins 5 Brotherhood L 5;
Nomads Pumas 4 Brotherhood I 6;
Nomads Leopards 6 Nomads Bobcats 4;
Brotherhood K 4 Windsor Swallows 6;
Brotherhood H 5 Brotherhood M 5.
To view the full tables click here
Tony Oswick