Gary Cattermole notched up his 10th hat-trick of the season this week in Division One of the Clacton & District League.
In one of only a handful of matches played in a programme decimated by the bad weather, the talented Cattermole stayed unbeaten as Windsor Eagles defeated Windsor Hawks 7-3. Phil Smith and John Pattrick each won two. For the Hawks, Andy Vincent defeated Smith, and Ian Fielder had a surprise 3-1 (10-12, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7) win over Pattrick. Vincent and John Barton took the doubles against Cattermole and Pattrick.
It was also 7-3 for Brotherhood C against Walton B, with every player picking up at least a point. Kevin Gowlett took three for the winners, Oli Reynolds two and Kevin Pryor an unexpected victory over Jason Gale. But Gale enjoyed an excellent win of his own, a 12-10 in the fifth success against Reynolds. Derek Willis and Colin Dearman won a point apiece for Walton.
Despite a request by Windsor Condors for postponement, the all-Windsor clash between the Kestrels and the Condors went ahead, with the Condors forced to include two local reserves. And so it was little surprise they went down 6-4, despite Felipe Rodriguez taking a well-deserved treble for the losers. Colin Beaumont, John Harvey and Dave Martin each won two for the Kestrels.
In Division Two Windsor Harriers came back from 4-1 down to take a tight mid-table clash 6-4 against Windsor Buzzards, a reverse of their early-season score. Isabel Barton won two for the Harriers, including a victory over Pete Bloomfield, and nearly chalked up a maximum, losing out 11-6 in the decider to Ray Chillingworth.
As often happens, the doubles proved pivotal, Barton and Ferdy Rodriguez beating Chillingworth and Alan Rutledge 3-2 (7-11, 11-6, 11-5, 9-11 11-9) in the closest match of the evening. Chillingworth and Bloomfield got a couple each for the Buzzards.
There was also just one match in Division Three where Nomads Ocelots and Nomads Pumas braved the winter weather, the Pumas rewarded with a 6-4 victory. Lionel Goddard recorded his second maximum of the season although it was a tight 12-10 in the fifth against Dominic Joannou. John Bowers picked up a couple including another tight 3-2 victory, 12-10, 9-11, 12-14, 11-9, 11-8 against Martin Cunningham.
The Ocelots’ four points, which move them off the bottom of the table, came from Joannou and three conceded by the Pumas who were forced to field a guest player, the Pumas grateful to Paul Dale for stepping in at the last minute.
* In all, seven matches had to be re-arranged because of the adverse weather conditions. The last time a significant number of matches had to be re-scheduled was in 2010-11 when eight matches were affected. The ‘record’ is 13 back in the 1990-91 season.
* The League’s Quiz Evening takes place this Saturday (10th March) at the Brotherhood Hall, 7pm for a 7.30pm start. The cost is £3 per person for teams of up to six people. Bring your own drink and nibbles. For more details and to book a table contact Viv and Ferdy Rodriguez on 01255 830951. Also, ring Viv and Ferdy if you’re able to donate a raffle prize.
* The 2018 Closed Championships, which take place on 14th and 15th April, are once again being sponsored by Paul Newbould, Planning and Building Design Services. This year marks Paul’s 25th year of sponsorship of the League’s major tournament.
Details have been sent to all players. Entries can be made online, or postal entries can be sent to Tony Oswick. The qualification for entry is a minimum of six matches for Division One and Two players, and five matches for Division Three players. The closing date is Saturday 24th March.
RESULTS
Division 1
Windsor Hawks 3 Windsor Eagles 7
Windsor Kestrels 6 Windsor Condors 4
Walton B 3 Brotherhood C 7
Division 2
Windsor Harriers 6 Windsor Buzzards 4
Division 3
Nomads Ocelots 4 Nomads Pumas 6