Title Race Wide Open

Title-contenders Brotherhood A and Windsor Roosters faced each other this week in Division One of the Clacton and District Table Tennis League and, almost predictably, the match ended all-square with every player picking up a point but no-one staying unbeaten.

Gary Cattermole and James Denyer both defeated Antony Greenwood and Greg Green, and both lost to John Andrews, but their Roosters’ team-mate, Mark Smith, became the first player to beat Andrews this season, winning 11-5, 11-9, 6-11, 11-2.

Brotherhood secured the draw when Green and Greenwood beat Cattermole and Denyer 12-10, 5-11, 12-14, 11-7, 11-9 in a crucial doubles.

With the Roosters later beating Brotherhood B 10-0 and Windsor Condors defeating Nomads Jaguars by the same score, just five points now separate the Condors, the Roosters and Brotherhood A in what is the tightest title race for many seasons.

Elsewhere, Walton C defeated Walton B 7-3, every player taking at least one point but only Paul Meikle winning all three, the ‘B’ team’s Graham Buxton overcoming John Rankin 12-10, 7-11, 11-4, 8-11, 14-12 in the closest match of the evening.

Walton A brushed aside Windsor Falcons 9-1, Kevin Gowlett and Matt Watson undefeated for Walton, whilst Windsor Kestrels, beaten 10-0 by Windsor Eagles, remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

In Division Two John Long of Windsor Ravens had a success against Paul Woolnough but that was his side’s sole point in the 9-1 defeat at the hands of leaders Walton D.

Windsor Hawks were 7-3 winners against Windsor Harriers, Andy Vincent taking three, Dave Austin two and John Barton one, whilst the Lions showed no mercy for the Lynx in the all-Nomads’ clash, John Hatley recording a debut League hat-trick in the 10-0 victory.

Paul Alden took three and Shaun Beckham two as Brotherhood D beat a weakened Brotherhood C 6-4 but it was a close-run thing, Alden defeating Kevin Pryor 14-12, 8-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9  whilst Beckham beat the same player 9-11, 11-7, 8-11, 12-10, 13-11.

Windsor Owls prevailed against Brotherhood E 6-4, Gary Stallwood unbeaten for the Owls with Tricia Salter taking two and only denied her hat-trick by Brotherhood stalwart, Rodney Betts, who won their individual encounter 11-9 in the decider.

Brotherhood F improved their survival chances with an 8-2 win over Windsor Magpies, John Stubbings undefeated, and John Wrigley and Sandie Isaac each winning a couple, Wrigley denied his treble by Ron Dacey, going down 3-11, 5-11, 16-14, 13-11, 13-15.

In Division Three Darren Bunce of Windsor Penguins played well to beat Tony Robinson and Eric Lemke but leaders Nomads Tigers took the match 8-2 and remain firm favourites for the title.

The battle for the second promotion spot is hotting up with Nomads Cougars doing their cause no harm after beating Nomads Leopards  9-1, Peter Miller losing to the Leopards’ number one, Tony Rayner, but edging out Paul McPherson 12-14, 6-11, 11-8, 12-10, 14-12.

Brotherhood K, forced to field a guest, lost ground when they went down 6-4 to Brotherhood J although Dan Malinowski and Brian Baines will feel pleased with their doubles win, 11-8 in the fifth, over Tom Burton and Kelvin Olano.

Brotherhood H defeated Nomads Bobcats 9-1, the match seeing one of the League’s youngest players, Tom Wilkin, beating one of the League’s oldest, Harry Barlow, 11-6, 8-11, 11-13, 11-9, 11-6 in a thrilling, full-bloodied, all-attacking encounter.

Finally, a weakened Nomads Pumas were still good enough to draw with Brotherhood L, Lionel Goddard and John Houghton taking two each and a sharing a doubles success, whilst Gary Bayliss took a first-ever maximum as Brotherhood G beat Windsor Kites 10-0.

• The Junior Combination Tournament takes place on Friday 2nd March at Windsor’s St James Hall venue. Play starts at 7.15 pm. For more information, contact the League’s Coaching Officer, Felipe Rodriguez, on 01255 221259.

RESULTS

Division 1

Windsor Roosters 10 Brotherhood B 0;

Walton B 3 Walton C 7;

Windsor Condors 10 Nomads Jaguars 0;

Windsor Eagles 10 Windsor Kestrels 0;

Brotherhood A 5 Windsor Roosters 5;

Walton A 9 Windsor Falcons 1.

Division 2

Windsor Ravens 1 Walton D 9;

Windsor Hawks 7 Windsor Harriers 3;

Nomads Lynx 0 Nomads Lions 10;

Brotherhood E 4 Windsor Owls 6;

Brotherhood F 8 Windsor Magpies 2;

Brotherhood D 6 Brotherhood C 4.

Division 3

Windsor Kites 0 Brotherhood G 10;

Nomads Leopards 1 Nomads Cougars 9;

Brotherhood K 4 Brotherhood J 6;

Nomads Pumas 5 Brotherhood L 5;

Nomads Tigers 8 Windsor Penguins 2;

Brotherhood H 9 Nomads Bobcats 1.

For the full tables click here

Tony Oswick