Tony turns up trumps

Brotherhood E chalked up their second win of the season in Division Two of the Clacton and District League, a hard-fought 6-4 success against Brotherhood F.

Tony Edmonds was the ‘E’ team star with an excellent hat-trick that included an 3-2 (11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10) victory over Sandie Isaac, a win that denied Isaac her own maximum.

Rodney Betts chipped in with two points, although once again it was a close-run thing, beating Mark Beckham by a tight 3-2 (13-11, 9-11, 11-5, 5-11, 12-10), whilst skipper Duncan Dunne confirmed the match win with a victory against Beckham.

Alas for Brotherhood E, it looks too late to affect their survival chances, as it does for their fellow relegation candidates Brotherhood G. This week the ‘G’ team drew with Windsor Magpies, Elliott Attrill and reserve Tom Burton winning two each, Dave Martin staying unbeaten for the Magpies.

The battle at the top continues to intrigue with no team able to break free.

Nomads Cougars made it nine matches unbeaten when they defeated Nomads Tigers 6-4. Simon Smith-Daye took all three for the Tigers and Darren Bunce defeated Adam Cuthbert 11-6 in the fifth, but Paul Hume and Sam Hume with two each, Cuthbert with one, and a Paul Hume/Cuthbert doubles’ victory saw the Cougars home.

Brotherhood C moved into second-place, beating Windsor Owls 7-3, despite a Gary Stallwood treble for the losers. Lawrence Torr defeated Tricia Salter 11-6 in the decider, the same score by which Torr and Kevin Pryor took the doubles against Stallwood and Salter.

Paul Hewitt won his three for Lawford against Windsor Harriers but the match ended with the spoils shared, Ian Fielder winning two and, with Jenny Higgins, taking the doubles against Hewitt and Ian Sherwood.

Brotherhood J failed to win for the first time this season in Division Three, held to a draw by Nomads Pumas. Tom Burton took three and Kelvin Olano two for Brotherhood whilst Lionel Goddard’s two for the Pumas included a vital 11-9 in the decider victory over Olano. Alan Dockerill and John Bowers picked up a point apiece for the Pumas and the two players also had the satisfaction of ending Brotherhood’s unbeaten doubles record, defeating Burton and Olano 3-2 (11-7, 11-4, 4-11, 10-12, 11-9).

The Brotherhood J side followed this with a 6-4 win over Nomads Bobcats, Tom Burton beating Harry Hawkes in the battle of the Divisional big guns.

Nomads Pumas’ second match was a four-hour marathon against Nomads Lynx that ended all-square. There were two each for Dockerill and John Houghton, and one for Goddard but Mike Vilka stayed unbeaten for the Lynx. All Vilka’s matches went to five, the closest being 3-2 (11-3, 12-14, 11-5, 10-12, 11-8) against Goddard.

Meanwhile Brotherhood I, 10-0 winners against Brotherhood L, continue to look good for promotion.

Windsor Penguins drew with Nomads Leopards, Ray Chillingworth taking three and Sue Chillingworth two for the Penguins, whilst Nomads’ Roger Baalham ensured the draw for his side with an 3-2 (8-11, 11-9, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9) win over Jackie Bunce in the closest match of the evening.

Windsor Swallows beat Brotherhood M 7-3 but Brotherhood’s Gracie Edwards confirmed her position as one of the League’s most promising juniors with wins over Angela Barratt, Caroline North and Dan Wright.

Gerald Batt and Tom Wilkin stayed unbeaten, and Michael Gallone won twice, as Brotherhood H defeated Nomads Wildcats 9-1, but Windsor Kites failed to trouble the scorer, losing 10-0 to Brotherhood K.

In Division One Brotherhood A beat Windsor Kestrels 7-3. Both sides fielded a reserve, Brotherhood substitute Tony Edmonds nearly causing an upset, Frank Burbidge winning their individual match 3-2 (8-11, 12-14, 11-7, 11-7, 15-13).

It was all-square between Walton B and Walton D, Kevin Gowlett maintaining his unbeaten record for the ‘D’ side, Paul Newbould and Gavin Price taking two each for the ‘B’ team.

Finally, Windsor Eagles were 10-0 winners against a Walton C team forced to field a guest player. Two matches ended 11-7 in the decider, Fred Button’s win over Peter Hall, and Button and Phil Smith’s doubles victory against Hall and Paul Meikle.

* In Division One of the Essex Super-Veterans’ League,

Clacton A beat Brentwood 6-3, Colin Dearman winning two singles, John Rice and Paul Meikle one each, with Rice winning his doubles with Dearman and Meikle.

Everyone associated with the Clacton League will be saddened to learn the news that Barry Howe has died. One of the League’s longest-serving players, Barry played competitive table tennis locally for nearly sixty years until he retired two years ago.
A good enough player in his prime to have won Mens Singles, Mens Doubles and Mixed Doubles titles, Barry was a competitor to his core. A tenacious attacker as well as a stubborn defender when needed, Barry was a player determined to give his all to every point, a good team-man who never gave anything less than a hundred per cent. He also had that unique element of surprise when, mid-rally, he would suddenly switch from playing right-handed to left-handed. Win or lose, Barry believed in playing sport in the proper spirit, something he always did.
Married to Sheila for over fifty years, Barry was pleased to share in her successes on the table tennis table, none more so than in 1965 when together they won the Mixed Doubles title at the Closed Championships. Our thoughts are with Sheila and her family at this time.

In 1992, Barry was awarded the Bob Phillips Trophy for services to the League and, in 2001, he was a made a League Vice-President. For a time, he also served on the Management Committee.

A former Clacton Town footballer and later a well-respected local football referee, Barry Howe was a true sportsman in the very best sense of the word. We will miss him.


RESULTS

Division 1
Walton C 0 Windsor Eagles 10;
Walton B 5 Walton D 5;
Windsor Kestrels 3 Brotherhood A 7.

Division 2
Brotherhood C 7 Windsor Owls 3;
Nomads Tigers 4 Nomads Cougars 6;
Brotherhood E 6 Brotherhood F 4;
Windsor Magpies 5 Brotherhood G 5;
Windsor Harriers 5 Lawford 5.

Division 3
Brotherhood M 3 Windsor Swallows 7;
Brotherhood J 5 Nomads Pumas 5;
Brotherhood K 10 Windsor Kites 0;
Nomads Bobcats 4 Brotherhood J 6;
Nomads Pumas 5 Nomads Lynx 5;
Brotherhood H 9 Nomads Wildcats 1;
Windsor Penguins 5 Nomads Leopards 5;
Brotherhood I 10 Brotherhood L 0.

Essex Inter-League
Super-Veterans : Division 1
Clacton A (Dearman, Rice, Meikle) 6 Brentwood 3.

To view the full tables click here

Tony Oswick