Brotherhood juniors Tom Burton and Kelvin Olano reigned supreme this week to take the Clacton and District Table Tennis League’s Handicapped Doubles title.
Fifteen-year old Tom and fourteen-year old Kelvin were in scintillating form and remained unbeaten throughout the day, showing notable ability and determination to become the Tournament’s first-ever winners.
It was only in the final they were taken to a fifth set where they were 11-8, 10-12, 9-11, 11-9, 11-2 winners over Annabelle Rodriguez and Lucy Burton, Tom’s younger sister.
Thirteen-year old Lucy produced a string of unexpected winning forehands and, at 2-1 up, it looked as though the final might have a different outcome, but Tom and Kelvin maintained their grip to record an impressive and deserved triumph.
In the Consolation Doubles, Colin Dearman and Jason Gale (-8) edged past Eric Lemke and Tony Robinson (+2) 11-7, 11-6, 12-14, 5-11, 12-10 in a match as exciting as the scoreline suggests.
Thirty-eight competitors took part in the inaugural running of what proved to be a highly-successful Tournament.
* In Division One of the League, title contenders Windsor Condors and Windsor Roosters had a titanic tussle before the Condors emerged 7-3 victors with Gary Young unbeaten, although it was a narrow 12-10 in the fifth over Mark Smith.
Gary Cattermole’s two for the Roosters included a 7-11, 11-3, 7-11, 19-17, 11-9 win over Colin Stallwood, whilst Stallwood’s pair included a close 11-8 in the decider victory over James Denyer.
The four leading sides in Division Two all won – Walton D 9-1 against Windsor Magpies, whilst it was 7-3 for Windsor Hawks against Brotherhood E, for Brotherhood C against Lawford, and for Nomads Lions against Windsor Ravens.
Ian Fielder was unbeaten as Windsor Harriers beat Brotherhood F
8-2, whilst Brotherhood D were 9-1 winners over Nomads Lynx, Mike Vilka and Vic Little getting the Lynx’ first doubles win of the season, 12-10 in the fifth against Lee Harvey and Russell Hillier.
In Division Three Nomad Cougars moved into second place following a 7-3 victory over Brotherhood J and a 5-5 draw with Brotherhood K, Paul Hume undefeated in both matches.
Finally, Malcolm Caley and Iris Howlett took hat-tricks in Windsor Swallows’ 7-3 win over Nomads Bobcats, as did Michael Gallone and Tom Wilkin as Brotherhood H beat Nomads Leopards 8-2.
* The draw for the first two Rounds of the Handicap Knock-Out Cup is : Round 1 : (1) Brotherhood K v Windsor Penguins; (2) Brotherhood L v Brotherhood G; (3) Brotherhood H v Brotherhood J; (4) Nomads Pumas v Windsor Swallows; (5) Nomads Leopards v Windsor Kites; (6) Nomads Bobcats v Nomads Cougars.
Round 2 : Brotherhood E v Windsor Eagles; Brotherhood F v Winner of (5); Brotherhood A v Nomads Panthers; Brotherhood B v Walton B; Windsor Falcons v Nomads Lynx; Winner of (2) v Winner of (6); Windsor Roosters v Windsor Kestrels; Winner of (3) v Windsor Magpies; Walton A v Nomads Lions; Nomads Tigers v Walton D; Windsor Owls v Windsor Harriers; Windsor Condors v Brotherhood D; Windsor Ravens v Windsor Hawks; Lawford v Walton C; Winner of (4) v Winner of (1); Nomads Jaguars v Brotherhood C
Runners-up Lucy Burton and Annabelle Rodriguez
RESULTS
Division 1
Walton B 1 Walton A 9;
Windsor Condors 7 Windsor Roosters 3;
Brotherhood B 8 Windsor Kestrels 2;
Walton C 1 Windsor Eagles 9;
Nomads Jaguars 1 Nomads Panthers 9;
Windsor Falcons 1 Brotherhood A 9.
Division 2
Nomads Lynx 1 Brotherhood D 9;
Windsor Harriers 8 Brotherhood F 2;
Nomads Lions 7 Windsor Ravens 3;
Brotherhood C 7 Lawford 3;
Windsor Magpies 1 Walton D 9;
Brotherhood E 3 Windsor Hawks 7.
Division 3
Nomads Bobcats 3 Windsor Swallows 7;
Nomads Tigers 7 Windsor Kites 3;
Nomads Cougars 5 Brotherhood K 5;
Nomads Pumas 3 Brotherhood J 7;
Windsor Penguins 0 Nomads Pumas 10;
Brotherhood J 3 Nomads Cougars 7;
Brotherhood H 8 Nomads Leopards 2.
ESSEX INTER-LEAGUE
Super-Veterans Division 2
Southend B 2 Clacton B (Kirby 1 single, May 1 single, Parish 2 singles; plus 3 doubles) 7
The Finalists: (l-r) Olano, T Burton, Rodriguez, L Burton
