Week-in, week-out, Gavin Price of Walton B is one of the most consistent and talented players in the Clacton and District League – as he proved this week in his side’s Division One match with Brotherhood A.

Price showed superlative form in taking a high-class hat-trick, topped and tailed in matches one and 10 with excellent 11-9 in the fifth wins against formidable opponents Greg Green and Alan Burgess.

But with Burgess and Green sharing a doubles victory, and both winning their other two singles, and with Elliot Attrill notching up a crucial 3-0 (13-11, 11-6, 11-6) singles victory over Graham Buxton, Brotherhood edged the match 6-4.

There were trebles, too, for both Sam Hume and John Hatley as Nomads Lions defeated Windsor Hawks 7-3. The Lions were fortunate to take all three matches that went to a decider, Hatley beating Felipe Rodriguez 11-5 in the fifth and Andy Vincent 11-6 in the fifth, whilst John Fenton chipped in with an important 11-8 in the decider victory over Ian Fielder.

It was also 7-3 as Windsor Condors repeated their early-season score against Windsor Ravens, Colin Stallwood winning three, Annabelle Rodriguez two and Paul Woolnough one. Woolnough was involved in three close matches, beating John Long 11-6 in the fifth, but going down 11-5 in the decider to John Harvey and 11-4 in the decider to Woo Dy. But the closest match of the evening saw Harvey notch up his second point by narrowly defeating Rodriguez 16-14 in the fifth.

However, it was more straightforward for Windsor Eagles against Brotherhood B. Despite seven of the matches going to a fourth set, none was extended to five, leaving the Eagles as comfortable 10-0 victors.

Brotherhood C marched on at the top of Division Two with a 9-1 win against lowly Nomads Tigers. John Marshall of the Tigers was involved in three close matches, picking up his team’s sole point by beating Fred Gallone 3-2 (11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10) but losing 11-6 in the decider to Lawrence Torr and 11-9 in the decider to Gary Stallwood – who just, but only just, managed to maintain his season’s unbeaten record. It was good to see Daryl Lott back in action for the Tigers, albeit without success.

Three for Lee Harvey and two for Paul Alden, plus their crucial 11-8 in the fifth doubles victory over Richard Spence and Ian Sherwood, gave Brotherhood D the edge 6-4 against Lawford.

But Lawford bounced back to beat Brotherhood F 7-3 in their second match, with Spence unbeaten and Sherwood and Paul Hewitt each winning two. Lee Allen was Brotherhood’s best player, defeating Hewitt and Sherwood in singles and, with Gerald Batt,  sharing an unexpected 3-2 (9-11, 13-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5) doubles win against Spence and Sherwood.

Brotherhood F also had two matches this week and, like Lawford, enjoyed better fortune in their second match, defeating club-mates Brotherhood E 6-4. Barry Allen was the ‘F’ team’s unbeaten hero on this occasion, with Batt and Sandie Isaac each winning one. Tony Edmonds and Duncan Dunne picked up two each for the losers.

It was also 6-4 in the all-Windsor clash between the Owls and Magpies, the Owls taking it with trebles from Frank Burbidge and Adam Jackson – although it was the tightest of tight 3-2 (8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 10-12, 13-11) wins for Jackson against John Plummer. Malcolm Caley of the Magpies notched up an 11-5 in the fifth win over Sue Watson.

Ferdy Rodriguez was in top form for Windsor Harriers in their 7-3 success against Brotherhood H, his maximum including a fine victory over Grant Sharpe. Isabel Barton’s two for the Harriers included a close 11-9 in the decider victory against James Smith-Daye who, nevertheless, recorded a good win in his own right against Jenny Higgins.

The 9-1 scoreline in Division Three for leaders Windsor Buzzards against Windsor Ospreys may have been somewhat predictable but it disguised the fact that the divisional leaders were given a minor fright. Lucy Burton was the Ospreys’ frightener-in-chief, sharing a shock 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-9) doubles victory with Debra Found against Dan Malinowski and Alan Rutledge, taking Rutledge close before losing 11-7 in the fifth and then taking Pete Bloomfield even closer, eventually going down 12-10 in the fifth.

Nomads Lynx were forced to field a guest against Windsor Penguins but still came out 7-3 winners. The most competitive match saw Nomads’ Brian Friday defeat Alan Charman in five.

Three from Andrew Cousins and two for John Bowers were the backbone of Nomads Pumas’ 6-4 success against Nomads Leopards. Harry Beezer won twice for the Leopards, with Tom Collin and Norman Jacobs each winning one.

The Pumas followed this with an 8-2 success against Walton D. This time it was John Bowers and Alan Dockerill who stayed unbeaten, although it was a close 13-11 in the decider for Bowers against Rivhu Khan. Lionel Goddard, on his return from injury for the Pumas, chipped in with a 3-1 (11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 14-12) win over Lynette Sparks.

The Walton trio also went down to Brotherhood G, this time the score being 6-4. Khan won two and there was a point each for Sparks and Toni Hayhow-Khan, but three from Graham Parkes and a couple for Vicki Edwards guided Brotherhood safely home.

Although none of the individual matches between Windsor Kites and Nomads Bobcats was extended to a fifth set, seven went to four and the tightly fought encounter ended with honours even. Keith Clubb, making a welcome return to Clacton League action after a five-season absence, showed he’s lost none of his old touch to stay unbeaten for the Bobcats, whilst Stuart Wilkinson and Chris Gibbons each took one. Carl Hubbard and Chris Simson won two apiece for the Kites and shared a 3-1 (11-7, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7) doubles victory over Wilkinson and Gibbons.

Finally, Nomads Wildcats won 6-4 against a Windsor Swallows’ side forced to field a guest player. But none of their team could get the better of Angela Barratt who, making a rare appearance for the Swallows, stayed unbeaten.

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* In Round Three of the Handicap Knock-Out Cup, favourites Nomads Lions have been handed a tough-looking draw against Division Two’s promotion-chasing Brotherhood D.

Division Three teams Nomads Wildcats and Nomads Leopards will face Second Division opposition in the form of Brotherhood E and Nomads Ocelots respectively but the most intriguing tie sees lowly Windsor Ospreys paired with top-flight Walton C.

The full draw is: Brotherhood E v Nomads Wildcats; Nomads Ocelots v Nomads Leopards; Brotherhood B v Windsor Ravens; Lawford v Walton B; Windsor Harriers v Windsor Kestrels; Windsor Ospreys v Walton C; Nomads Lions v Brotherhood D; Windsor Eagles v Windsor Owls.

The matches are to be played during week commencing February 2.

* The Handicapped Singles Tournament takes place on Saturday February 7 at Windsor’s St James’ Hall venue with play starting at 9.30am. Entries can be made by post to Tony Oswick or e-mail to Peter White. There will be a limit of 40 players. The entry fee is £3 and the closing date is Monday February 2. Full details are with team secretaries and are on the league’s website.

RESULTS

Division 1
Windsor Eagles 10 Brotherhood B 0
Windsor Condors 7 Windsor Ravens 3
Walton B 4 Brotherhood A 6
Nomads Lions 7 Windsor Hawks 3

Division 2
Brotherhood C 9 Nomads Tigers 1
Brotherhood D 6 Lawford 4
Brotherhood F 6 Brotherhood E 4
Lawford 7 Brotherhood F 3
Windsor Owls 6 Windsor Magpies 4
Brotherhood H 3 Windsor Harriers 7

Division 3
Windsor Buzzards 9 Windsor Ospreys 1
Nomads Leopards 4 Nomads Pumas 6
Windsor Penguins 3 Nomads Lynx 7
Walton D 2 Nomads Pumas 8
Walton D 4 Brotherhood G 6
Windsor Kites 5 Nomads Bobcats 5
Windsor Swallows 4 Nomads Wildcats 6

Tony Oswick
January 19, 2015