Fight to the finish in Division Two
In a top-of-the-table clash in Division Two of the Clacton and District League, Brotherhood D and Lawford battled out a hard-fought draw, a result that benefits neither side’s ambitions.
No-one stayed unbeaten but everyone took a point, Lee Harvey winning twice for Brotherhood, as did Richard Spence and Ian Sherwood for Lawford.
Harvey had a close 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 14-16, 11-8 win over Sherwood, Sherwood enjoyed an even closer 7-11, 11-9, 11-13, 12-10, 14-12 success against Shaun Beckham who, in his turn, beat Paul Hewitt 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 15-13.
The result effectively ends Lawford’s promotion challenge and, while Brotherhood D look likely to be promoted, they could yet be pipped for the title by Nomads Cougars.
The Cougars this week beat Windsor Ravens 9-1, Paul Hume and Adam Cuthbert recording hat-tricks. The Windsor point came from a John Long win against Sam Hume.
So fifteen points from their last two matches against Lawford and Brotherhood G would guarantee the title for the Cougars.
Brotherhood C still retain a mathematical chance of promotion and they kept their hopes alive with a 10-0 demolition of Windsor Magpies.
Elsewhere, Nomads Tigers beat Brotherhood G 7-3 in a close encounter. Brotherhood’s Elliott Attrill beat Darren Bunce 11-9 in the fifth but lost 11-8 in the fifth to Simon Smith-Daye. Jordan Blanche-Price beat Nomads’ Tony Robinson 11-7 in the decider whilst Robinson defeated Dan Malinowski 12-10 in the fifth.
Windsor Owls and Brotherhood F fought out a mid-table draw, Gary Stallwood unbeaten yet again. David North and Barry Allen won two each for Brotherhood.
In Division Three Brotherhood J continued their push for the title by beating Nomads Lynx 8-2, Kelvin Olano’s maximum including a close win in five against Mike Vilka.
Brotherhood I narrowly failed to match their title rivals, beating Brotherhood K 7-3 for a second time this season. Pete Bloomfield proved a thorn in their side with a hat-trick for the losers.
Nomads Bobcats moved into third position with two good wins.
Harry Hawkes was unbeaten as they defeated Brotherhood H 6-4, Tom Wilkin and David Wilkin picking up a pair apiece for the ‘H’ team.
A completely different Bobcats’ threesome then beat Nomads Pumas 9-1, a score-line that does little justice to the Pumas who lost five of the six matches that went the distance. Denise Thompson and Vic Little both took trebles for the Bobcats whilst the Pumas’ sole point came from John Bowers’ 11-6, 6-11, 5-11, 12-10, 12-10 victory against Andrew Cousins.
The Pumas redeemed themselves somewhat with a 7-3 victory over Nomads Leopards, Bowers, John Houghton and Lionel Goddard all taking a couple. But none of them could get the better of Tony Rayner who won all three Leopards’ points.
Morgan Harvey was on fire for Brotherhood L, taking a treble in the drawn match with Nomads Wildcats. Jonathan Found picked up two for Brotherhood, as did Pete Miller for the Wildcats.
Windsor Penguins were 7-3 winners against Brotherhood M, Ray Chillingworth beating Gracie Edwards 11-8 in the decider in the closest match of the evening.
Windsor Kites continue to show stickability if not success, going down 10-0 for the fifteenth time, this at the hand of Windsor Swallows.
In Division One Walton A continued their quest for the runners-up spot with a 6-4 victory over a weakened Brotherhood A. Peter Burrows was unbeaten and Colin Dearman took two, including an 11-5 in the decider win over John Stubbings in match ten.
Nomads Panthers fielded a guest player against Windsor Hawks but still won 7-3. Colin Webber only just managed to stay undefeated, beating Annabelle Rodriguez 17-19, 11-7, 7-11, 11-4, 12-10.
Gavin Price was on-song for Walton B, unbeaten in his side’s 7-3 victory against Brotherhood B.
There were also three each for Fred Button and Phil Smith as Windsor Eagles beat Nomads Jaguars 9-1 for a second time this season.
The Jaguars are already relegated and Windsor Kestrels, who lost 10-0 to Walton C, are almost certain to join them. But the Kestrels battled hard, Mark Gale having to dig deep before beating Frank Burbidge 11-6 in the fifth, as did David Hall against Chris Petrou, 11-5 in the fifth.
* The Closed Championships are being held this weekend at the Coastal Academy Sports Hall.
Confirmation of starting times 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 as a matter of urgency.
RESULTS
Division 1
Walton C 10 Windsor Kestrels 0;
Walton A 6 Brotherhood A 4;
Windsor Eagles 9 Nomads Jaguars 1;
Windsor Hawks 3 Nomads Panthers 7;
Brotherhood B 3 Walton B 7.
Division 2
Brotherhood C 10 Windsor Magpies 0;
Brotherhood D 5 Lawford 5;
Windsor Ravens 1 Nomads Cougars 9;
Windsor Owls 5 Brotherhood F 5;
Nomads Tigers 7 Brotherhood G 3.
Division 3
Nomads Pumas 1 Nomads Bobcats 9;
Brotherhood I 7 Brotherhood K 3;
Nomads Pumas 7 Nomads Leopards 3;
Brotherhood J 8 Nomads Lynx 2;
Brotherhood M 3 Windsor Penguins 7;
Brotherhood L 5 Nomads Wildcats 5;
Windsor Swallows 10 Windsor Kites 0.
Nomads Bobcats 6 Brotherhood H 4.
To view the full tables click here