It’s tight at the top
It’s tight at the top of Division Three of the Clacton and District League with the Brotherhood I and J teams fighting it out toe-to-toe for supremacy.
Brotherhood J caught up on their fixtures and bagged twenty-four points from three matches, Tom Burton and Kelvin Olano staying undefeated in all three.
It was 9-1 against Brotherhood M, Gracie Edwards’ win over Lucy Burton the losers’ only point, whilst it was 8-2 against Nomads Leopards, Lucy Burton picking up a valuable win against Norman Jacobs.
The closest of the matches was the 7-3 victory over Windsor Swallows, Olano and Tom Burton edging the doubles 11-6 in the decider against Caroline North and Dan Wright.
Meanwhile, Brotherhood I beat Windsor Penguins 8-2, John Wrigley undefeated, a result which leaves them eight points ahead of the ‘J’ team, having played a game more.
There’s a three-team battle between Brotherhood H, Nomads Pumas and Nomads Bobcats for the honour of taking third-place.
Brotherhood H and the Pumas were in opposition but, even with Adam Wilkin in the Brotherhood line-up, the 9-1 score-line was something of a surprise. Four of their wins were matches that ended close in five, Gerald Batt’s hat-trick including an 11-9 in the fifth win over John Bowers and a 3-2 (12-14, 13-11, 11-1, 11-13, 11-7) victory against Lionel Goddard. John Houghton beat Tom Wilkin 11-7 in the decider for the Pumas’ consolation point.
Nomads Bobcats were 9-1 victors against Brotherhood K, Andrew Cousins and Harry Hawkes unbeaten, Denise Thompson winning twice.
Elsewhere, Nomads Lynx beat Brotherhood L 7-3, Alan Charman picking up a debut League win for the Lynx. Morgan Harvey won twice for the losers including an 11-7 in the fifth success over Kevin Hume.
Brian Friday took his maximum for Nomads Wildcats but Windsor Swallows came out 6-4 winners. Iris Howlett’s two for the Swallows included an 3-2 (11-9, 11-13, 12-10, 10-12, 12-10) win against Hazel Blanche.
Brotherhood M beat Windsor Kites 6-4, Chris Simson of the Kites beating Vicki Edwards 11-7 in the decider. But the Brotherhood doubles’ pairing of Vicki and Gracie Edwards just got the better of Chris and Mick Simson, 3-2 (11-8, 11-3, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8).
In Division One champions-elect Nomads Panthers confirmed their superiority with a 9-1 victory over Windsor Eagles, Windsor’s Phil Smith defeating Colin Webber 3-0 (16-14, 11-4, 18-16) in the final match of the evening to prevent a Panthers’ whitewash.
Walton A are still in the hunt for the runners-up spot after defeating Nomads Jaguars 9-1. Brian Parish beat John Rice 3-2 (17-15, 12-14, 11-4, 9-11, 11-5) in the final match of the evening for the Nomads’ point but, alas for the Jaguars, the result means they are definitely relegated.
There were hat-tricks for Greg Green and John Andrews in Brotherhood A’s 8-2 success against Brotherhood B, but Alan Burgess lost 11-8 in the fifth to Martin Edwards and 11-9 in the fifth to John Owen.
Five of the matches went to five as Walton C beat Walton B 6-4.
David Hall’s hat-trick for the winners included an 11-9 in the fifth against Paul Newbould.
Newbould was forced to retire hurt and concede two points when Walton B faced Nomads Lions, the match ending all-square with John Fenton winning his two matches.
Fenton then picked up a treble as Nomads Lions did themselves a power of good with a 6-4 win over relegation rivals Windsor Kestrels. But the weakened Windsor side fought hard, Chris Petrou recording wins over John Hatley and John Weller whilst reserve Graham Bunce also got the better of Hatley.
Andy Vincent led Windsor Hawks to a 6-4 success against Walton D, his hat-trick including an excellent win over Kevin James. Felipe Rodriguez secured the Windsor victory in match ten, defeating Paul Woolnough 3-2 (9-11, 12-10, 11-7, 6-11, 11-9).
The top of Division Two was thrown into confusion as second-placed Nomads Cougars beat leaders Brotherhood D 8-2. Adam Cuthbert produced his best table tennis of the season to stay undefeated. Russell Hillier took the losers’ two points with wins over Paul Hume and Sam Hume.
The Cougars are now just nine points behind Brotherhood D with a game in hand and, with a marginally easier run-in, could yet finish top.
Brotherhood C are still on the fringe of the promotion race following their 9-1 success against Brotherhood F, winning three of the four matches that went the distance. Kevin Pryor and Lawrence Torr were unbeaten with Barry Allen picking up the ‘F’ team’s point by defeating Fred Gallone 3-2 (5-11, 12-10, 13-11, 14-16, 11-6).
Fourth-placed Lawford were 6-4 winners over Windsor Owls. Gary Stallwood stayed unbeaten for the Owls whilst Tricia Salter was unlucky not to get on the score-sheet, losing 11-9 in the decider to Ian Sherwood.
No-one stayed unbeaten as Windsor Harriers defeated Nomads Tigers 6-4. Darren Bunce took two, including a surprise win over Ian Fielder, but Fielder redeemed himself by beating Simon Smith-Daye 11-6 in the decider. The crucial match was the doubles, Fielder and Jenny Higgins defeating Bunce and Smith-Daye 12-10 in the fifth.
Another 6-4 result saw Windsor Ravens beat Brotherhood G. John Long won three, Isabel Barton two with Long and Barton sharing a doubles win, 3-2 (9-11, 10-12, 11-2, 11-7, 11-5), over Elliott Attrill and Jordan Blanche-Price.
Finally, Windsor Magpies beat Nomads Ocelots 8-2.
* Congratulations to the young Clacton players who took part in the Essex Junior Closed at Harlow on Saturday.
James Denyer won the under-18 Boys Singles, Gracie Edwards took the under-13 Girls Singles and was runner-up in the under-18 Girls Singles, whilst Paul Hume and Adam Cuthbert played well to reach the semi-finals of the restricted under-18 Boys Singles.
* The Closed Championships are being held at the Coastal Academy Sports Hall over the weekend of 27th and 28th April. Confirmation forms will be sent to all competitors by Wednesday 24th April. Any player who does not receive a form by that date should contact Tournament Officer David Wilkin on 01255 862374.
RESULTS
Division 1
Walton D 4 Windsor Hawks 6;
Nomads Jaguars 1 Walton A 9;
Nomads Panthers 9 Windsor Eagles 1;
Brotherhood A 8 Brotherhood B 2;
Windsor Kestrels 4 Nomads Lions 6;
Walton B 4 Walton C 6;
Nomads Lions 5 Walton B 5.
Division 2
Brotherhood G 4 Windsor Ravens 6;
Nomads Cougars 8 Brotherhood D 2;
Lawford 6 Windsor Owls 4;
Brotherhood F 1 Brotherhood C 9;
Windsor Magpies 8 Nomads Ocelots 2
Windsor Harriers 6 Nomads Tigers 4.
Division 3
Nomads Leopards 2 Brotherhood J 8;
Windsor Kites 4 Brotherhood M 6;
Nomads Wildcats 4 Windsor Swallows 6;
Brotherhood H 9 Nomads Pumas 1;
Brotherhood K 1 Nomads Bobcats 9;
Brotherhood J 7 Windsor Swallows 3;
Brotherhood M 1 Brotherhood J 9;
Windsor Penguins 2 Brotherhood I 8;
Nomads Lynx 7 Brotherhood L 3.
To view the full tables click here