Condors leap-frog to the top
Windsor Condors moved to the top of Division One of the Clacton and District Table Tennis League with a crucial 7-3 victory over title-rivals Windsor Roosters.
Gary Young and Colin Stallwood took trebles for the Condors although Stallwood struggled against James Denyer before eventually taking their match 11-9 in the decider.
This result puts the Condors a point ahead of the Roosters, now level in second place alongside reigning champions Brotherhood A, 9-1 winners this week over Windsor Falcons.
With three matches left, the destination of the title is far from certain, with Brotherhood A still having to play both the Roosters and Condors, and the Condors and Roosters having potentially-tough matches against Nomads Panthers and Walton A respectively.
Elsewhere, both Walton A and Walton B included a guest player which explains the unusual 6-3 result in favour of the ‘A’ team, Peter Burrows and George Kalli beating Martin Hogg and Graham Buxton 13-11 in the decider in a tight-fought doubles.
Ian Graham was undefeated as Brotherhood B beat Windsor Kestrels 9-1, Bob Sawyer picking up a victory in five against Martin Edwards for the losers.
Phil Smith and Sue Welham took trebles in Windsor Eagles’ 7-3 win over Walton C, as did Rob Bozier in Nomads Panthers’ 8-2 victory against the same side.
Nomads Panthers, fielding two reserves, later drew with Nomads Jaguars, Colin Webber taking his three for the Panthers.
In Division Two Walton D confirmed their position as champions with a 9-1 success over Windsor Magpies whilst a similar result for Windsor Hawks against Brotherhood E virtually assures them of the runners-up spot.
The Hawks were also indebted to club-mates Windsor Ravens who surprisingly beat third-placed Nomads Lions 7-3, John Long producing his best form of the season to take a maximum.
It was 7-3 for Windsor Harriers against Brotherhood F, Barry Allen picking up a couple for the losers, whilst Lawford were 8-2 winners over a Brotherhood C team that included two reserves, Lawford number one Richard Spence staying unbeaten.
Bottom-team Nomads Lynx were on the wrong end of a 10-0 result against Brotherhood D although Barry Jones nearly embarrassed Paul Alden who eventually edged it 3-2 (11-8, 11-1, 3-11, 12-14, 12-10).
In Division Three’s big match, three from Paul Hume and two from younger brother Sam were central to Nomads Cougars’ 7-3 victory over Brotherhood K, a result that should ensure the Cougars are promoted along with Nomads Tigers.
The Tigers were 8-2 victors over Windsor Kites, Diane Self taking a debut League win for the Nomads’ side with an 3-2 (11-9, 10-12, 12-10, 7-11, 11-7) success over Windsor’s Mick Simson, with Carl Hubbard and Rachel Simson picking up a point apiece for the Kites.
Brotherhood J defeated Brotherhood L 6-4 despite a treble from Jordan Blanche-Price, Jonathan Found taking the ‘L’ team’s fourth point with a win over Morgan Harvey although Harvey took a crucial point for the winners, beating Lisa Baird 3-1 (8-11, 13-11, 13-11, 12-10).
Darren Bunce also finished on the losing side despite winning his three, Windsor Penguins going down 6-4 to Nomads Pumas, Lionel Goddard and Alan Dockerill winning two each for the Pumas.
Finally, it was 6-4 for Brotherhood H against Nomads Leopards, Gerald Batt’s treble for the winners including a 13-11 in the fifth win against Paul McPherson, whilst Sue Watson and Malcolm Caley were also unbeaten as Windsor Swallows defeated Nomads Bobcats 9-1
* The closing date for entries for the Closed Championships is next Sunday, 8th April. Completed entry forms with the entry fee should be returned to either Pete White or Tony Oswick. Entries can also be made via the League’s website.
RESULTS
Division 1
Windsor Eagles 7 Walton C 3;
Nomads Panthers 5 Nomads Jaguars 5;
Walton C 2 Nomads Panthers 8;
Windsor Kestrels 1 Brotherhood B 9;
Walton A 6 Walton B 3;
Windsor Roosters 3 Windsor Condors 7;
Brotherhood A 9 Windsor Falcons 1.
Division 2
Windsor Ravens 7 Nomads Lions 3;
Brotherhood D 10 Nomads Lynx 0;
Lawford 8 Brotherhood C 2;
Windsor Hawks 9 Brotherhood E 1;
Walton D 9 Windsor Magpies 1;
Brotherhood F 3 Windsor Harriers 7.
Division 3
Brotherhood L 4 Brotherhood J 6;
Nomads Leopards 4 Brotherhood H 6;
Nomads Pumas 6 Windsor Penguins 4;
Brotherhood K 3 Nomads Cougars 7;
Windsor Swallows 9 Nomads Bobcats 1;
Windsor Kites 2 Nomads Tigers 8.
For the full tables click here
Tony Oswick