BUNCE IS BEST
If there was a Clacton and District League award for the most improved player of the season, Graham Bunce of Division Two Windsor Kestrels would certainly be one of the leading contenders.
Bunce has had an outstanding season, losing only twice in fifty-four matches, and he continued his good run this week with a sixteenth maximum. He defeated Richard Spence, Paul Hewitt and Ian Sherwood as the Kestrels’ enjoyed a 7-3 success over fourth-placed Lawford. Dave Martin contributed two wins and Bob Sawyer one.
Bunce’s form has been a crucial factor in the Kestrels’ push for honours and their victory this week confirms them as Division Two champions.
Windsor Ravens are the Divisional runners-up and they signed off their season on a winning note, 6-4 against Windsor Owls, in a match where every player picked up a point. The Owls’ Adam Jackson beat John Harvey 11-5 in the decider but lost to Brian Thiel by the same score, whilst Harvey defeated Tricia Salter 11-6 in the fifth. Frank Burbidge won two for the Owls including an 11-5 in the fifth win against Thiel.
There was a tight tussle between the Brotherhood ‘C’ and ‘F’ sides before the ‘C’ team emerged narrow 6-4 winners, every player winning at least one point. Lawrence Torr took all three for the winners although it was a close 11-9 in the decider against Elliott Attrill, the same score by which ‘F’ team skipper Mark Beckham defeated Fred Gallone.
In another close match, Nomads Jaguars scraped a draw against Brotherhood J. Harry Hawkes took a hat-trick for the Jaguars and, with Mike Hillier, took the doubles 9-11, 11-9, 12-14, 14-12, 11-9 against Kelvin Olano and Tom Wilkin. Hillier picked up a crucial fifth point with an 11-9, 10-12, 5-11, 11-9, 12-10 win against Olano. Wilkin and Tom Burton won two each for Brotherhood.
The all-Nomads clash between the Ocelots and Tigers ended 9-1 in favour of the Ocelots. Peter Giles and John Hockley were unbeaten, with Darren Bunce preventing the whitewash by the narrowest of margins, defeating Daryl Lott 11-7, 8-11, 12-10, 5-11, 12-10.
In the battle of the bottom two teams, Brotherhood I beat Windsor Magpies 8-2, a result that – mathematically – keeps their survival hopes alive. John Wrigley took a maximum with Rowan Cottee and Allen Denyer taking two each, although it was 11-6 in the fifth for Cottee against Dan Wright and 11-9 in the fifth for Denyer against Magpies’ reserve Mike Monschau. Dave Sweetland won the points for the losers. Alas for the Magpies, the result means they are definitely relegated.
In Division Three Brotherhood G stay in second place despite losing 6-4 to leaders Brotherhood E. Duncan Dunne took a maximum for the winners with Rodney Betts winning two and Tony Edmonds one. Lee Allen took a couple for the ‘G’ team including an intriguing 20-18, 1-11, 11-9, 11-8 victory over Edmonds. The win confirms what has long been apparent – Brotherhood E, unbeaten in the League this season, are the 2014 Division Three champions.
Nomads Lynx were also on the wrong end of a 6-4 scoreline, Ray Chillingworth unbeaten in Windsor Penguins’ success. But it wasn’t just a one-player show, with Jackie Bunce picking up a win in four against Tom Collins and Sue Chillingworth surprising Pete Miller with a 10-12, 6-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-6 victory. In a match where no player left empty-handed, Brian Friday won two for the Lynx, and Collins and Miller one each.
Brotherhood H will feel the happiest of the promotion-hopefuls after their 8-2 victory over Walton E. Graham Parkes and Brian Baines were undefeated, Baines’ hat-trick including a win in five against Lynette Sparks. Walton’s points came from Sparks with an 11-5 in the decider victory against David Wilkin and Rhivu Khan who defeated the same player 12-10 in the decider.
Andrew Cousins took a treble, and John Houghton and Lionel Goddard a pair apiece, as Nomads Pumas beat Windsor Swallows 8-2. Houghton defeated Iris Howlett 11-8, 6-11, 6-11, 15-13, 11-9 in the closest match of the evening. Malcolm Caley won the Swallows’ two points.
There were hat-tricks for Andrew Cawley and Alan Charman as Nomads Wildcats recorded a fine 7-3 win over Nomads Leopards. The closest match saw Charman defeat Roger McNaughton 7-11, 8-11, 13-11, 13-11, 11-6. There was a point each for McNaughton, Norman Jacobs and Laurie Farrugia for the Leopards.
Brotherhood L were 9-1 victors over Windsor Ospreys, Debra Found and Morgan Harvey unbeaten. Vicki Edwards won two for the winners with Lucy Burton’s success against Edwards the Ospreys’ only point.
In Division One Nomads Panthers are already confirmed as champions and they found little difficulty in beating a Walton D side without Kevin Gowlett 10-0.
The runners-up spot is still to be decided but Walton A did themselves a power of good with a 9-1 success over club-mates Walton C, Peter Burrows and John Rice taking maximum points. Paul Meikle of Walton C will feel unfortunate to have lost all his matches close in five – 11-5 in the fifth to Burrows and 11-9 in the decider to both Rice and Colin Dearman. Derek Willis took the ‘C’ team’s point with a 12-10, 12-14, 11-6, 16-14 victory over Dearman in the final match of the evening.
The win puts Walton A into second place, three points ahead of Brotherhood A with both teams having three matches to play.
At the bottom, Nomads Cougars lost 8-2 to Walton B for a second time this season but they may still consider they were two valuable points gained. Adam Cuthbert defeated Graham Buxton whilst Colin Beaumont beat Paul Newbould 5-11, 11-8, 8-11, 13-11, 13-11. Gavin Price took a hat-trick for the winners.
Finally, already-relegated Brotherhood D are still fighting hard, Shaun Beckham, Lee Harvey and Russell Hillier all winning one in their side’s 7-3 defeat at the hands of Windsor Condors. And Harvey might easily have sneaked another win, John Pattrick having to launch a come-back before winning 9-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-6.
* The Closed Championships, sponsored by Paul Newbould Planning and Building Design Services, are being held at the Coastal Academy Sports Hall on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th April. Confirmation of check-in times are being sent to all those who have entered. Any player who has not received this confirmation by Friday 18th April should contact either Tony Oswick (Tel : 01255 429869) or Peter White (Tel : 01255 425292).
* The Knock-Out Cup Final between Walton B and Windsor Hawks takes place at the Brotherhood Hall on Thursday 8th May at 7.30 pm. All spectators are welcome.
* The Windsor Club is holding a Quiz Evening on Saturday 10th May at St James Church Hall, 7.00 pm for a 7.30 pm start. A ploughman’s supper with tea and coffee will be provided but other drinks should be provided by those attending. Teams of up to six can take part and the cost is £6.00 per person. For more details or to book a table contact Jenny Higgins on 01255 432397 or 07790 240566.
RESULTS
Division 1
Nomads Panthers 10 Walton D 0;
Windsor Condors 7 Brotherhood D 3;
Walton B 8 Nomads Cougars 2;
Walton C 1 Walton A 9.
Nomads Lions v Windsor Hawks (match card not yet received)
Brotherhood B v Windsor Eagles (match card not yet received)
Division 2
Windsor Owls 4 Windsor Ravens 6;
Nomads Tigers 1 Nomads Ocelots 9;
Brotherhood F 4 Brotherhood C 6;
Windsor Magpies 2 Brotherhood I 8;
Windsor Kestrels 7 Lawford 3;
Brotherhood J 5 Nomads Jaguars 5.
Division 3
Nomads Pumas 8 Windsor Swallows 2;
Brotherhood H 8 Walton E 2;
Windsor Penguins 6 Nomads Lynx 4;
Brotherhood G 4 Brotherhood E 6;
Windsor Ospreys 1 Brotherhood L 9;
Nomads Leopards 3 Nomads Wildcats 7.
To view the full tables click here
by Tony Oswick (April 14, 2014)