The opening week of the Clacton & District League season saw two of the likely promotion contenders in Division Two in opposition and, after a typically tough battle, Lawford and Brotherhood D settled for an honourable draw.
The ever-dependable Paul Hewitt was unbeaten for Lawford, whilst Richard Spence and Ian Sherwood each took one. Lee Harvey and Russell Hillier took a pair apiece for Brotherhood and shared a crucial doubles victory, 11-7 in the fifth, over Hewitt and Sherwood.
Brotherhood I got their season off to an encouraging start, winning all the three matches that went the distance to defeat Nomads Jaguars 8-2. Mark Beckham took his three whilst Tom Wilkin and Jonathan Found each won twice. Kevin Hume and Andy North took the Jaguars’ points.
It was also 8-2 for Windsor Harriers against Brotherhood H, who were indebted to the bat of the returning Grant Sharpe to prevent a whitewash. Sharpe was involved in the closest match of the night, denying Ferdy Rodriguez his hat-trick with an 11-6 in the fifth victory.
Frank Burbidge and Tricia Salter took maximum points as Windsor Owls defeated Windsor Magpies 7-3, although Salter had to battle hard for her hat-trick, narrowly overcoming John Plummer 13-11 in the fifth.
Plummer came back to take a close 3-2 (11-13, 4-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-9) victory over Sue Watson, whilst Dave Sweetland beat the same player in five (11-3, 11-4, 14-16, 8-11, 11-5). But Watson got a measure of satisfaction by recording an important win for the Owls over Dan Wright.
Tony Edmonds was unbeaten for Brotherhood E against Brotherhood F but could not prevent his side losing 6-4.
Barry Allen and Lee Allen both took two for the winners, Sandie Isaac won once but it was the doubles success for Isaac and Barry Allen over Rodney Betts and Duncan Dunne that ultimately proved pivotal, the ‘F’ team pair winning 3-2 (11-13, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9, 12-10).
The tightest match in Division Three was the all-Nomads clash between the Pumas and the Leopards, which appropriately ended all-square.
Leopards’ new man, John Bonner, won his three although he was involved in a tremendous scrap with Alan Dockerill before prevailing 3-2 (11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-4) in the final match of the evening.
Tony Rayner took a couple for the Leopards, as did Dockerill for the Pumas, but the Pumas guaranteed the draw with a narrow doubles win, 11-9 in the decider, Dockerill and Lionel Goddard defeating Bonner and Tom Collins.
Mike Vilka’s late pre-season transfer to Nomads Lynx proved successful, Vilka taking a hat-trick in the Lynx’s 8-2 victory over Windsor Penguins. Mike Monschau played well for the losers to defeat both Brian Friday and Peter Miller.
There were three for Lucy Burton and two for Debra Found as Windsor Ospreys edged past Walton D 6-4. Milly Easton, on her League debut, failed to get on the scoresheet but showed great promise and composure. Rivhu Khan won twice for the losers.
The Ospreys found Windsor Buzzards a tougher proposition, the Buzzards winning 9-1. The Ospreys’ point came from an unexpected five-set (11-2, 10-12, 6-11, 13-11, 11-7) victory for Debra Found against Alan Rutledge.
Vic Little was the main man for Nomads Bobcats, unbeaten in his team’s 6-4 victory over Windsor Kites. Stuart Wilkinson and Laurie Farrugia picked up a point each, with Little and Wilkinson sharing a competitive 3-2 doubles victory (9-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5), against Chris Simson and Mick Simson. Carl Hubbard and Chris Simson won two singles each for the Kites.
Windsor Swallows’ early-season team troubles meant they had to field two guests against Nomads Wildcats, who took the match 10-0 with some ease.
Everyone took a point in the Division One encounter between Brotherhood A and Walton B, but three from Walton’s Kevin James ensured his side went away with a share of the spoils.
In an unpredictable see-saw match, Walton’s Paul Newbould beat Martyn Green, who beat Gavin Price, who beat Elliott Attrill – who opened his top-flight account with a win over Newbould. Green’s 3-2 (12-10, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 11-9) victory against Price was the closest match of the evening.
Five of the individual matches in the Nomads Lions v Windsor Hawks fixture went to a decider, the Lions edging it 6-4.
Paul Hume took his maximum for the winners whilst Sam Hume’s couple included a tight five-set (8-11, 12-10, 10-12, 12-10, 11-9) victory over Felipe Rodriguez. Andy Vincent won two for the Hawks.
In the all-Windsor clash, the Condors had a predictable 7-3 victory over the Ravens. But John Harvey will feel pleased to take a couple for the losers, whilst new-signing Woo Dy took a debut League win.
The Ravens’ No 3, John Long, was close to getting on the scoresheet, just losing 3-2 (11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 8-11, 9-11) to Annabelle Rodriguez.
* Players are reminded they must register with Table Tennis England. This can be done online, by telephone or by post. Any player who is not registered may have their matches declared void.
Any queries about registration should be directed to League Secretary Lyn White on 01255 425292
RESULTS
Division 1
Brotherhood A 5 Walton B 5
Windsor Hawks 4 Nomads Lions 6
Windsor Ravens 3 Windsor Condors 7
Division 2
Brotherhood I 8 Nomads Jaguars 2
Windsor Magpies 3 Windsor Owls 7
Brotherhood E 4 Brotherhood F 6
Windsor Harriers 8 Brotherhood H 2
Lawford 5 Brotherhood D 5
Division 3
Nomads Bobcats 6 Windsor Kites 4
Nomads Lynx 8 Windsor Penguins 2
Nomads Pumas 5 Nomads Leopards 5
Windsor Ospreys 1 Windsor Buzzards 9
Walton D 4 Windsor Ospreys 6
Nomads Wildcats 10 Windsor Swallows 0
Results not yet received
Brotherhood B v Windsor Eagles (Division 1)
Nomads Tigers v Brotherhood C (Division 2)
Tony Oswick
September 22, 2014