WALTON AND WINDSOR THE WINNERS
Two teams from the Walton and Windsor Clubs took the honours in this week’s matches in Round Four of the Clacton and District League’s Handicap Knock-Out Cup.
Windsor Hawks had the biggest margin of victory, eliminating Brotherhood J, the only Division Two side left in the competition. But although the score was 5-0, it belied a much tighter match. John Barton (-5) beat Kelvin Olano (+1) 11-8, 11-8, 10-12, 5-11, 11-6 whilst Andy Vincent (-8) scraped home 2-11, 9-11, 13-11, 11-5, 12-10 against Tom Wilkin (+2).
The Hawks will be joined in the semi-finals by Windsor Eagles, 5-2 victors against a Walton D side forced to field a reserve. Phil Smith and Fred Button stayed undefeated for the Eagles. The closest match of the evening saw Walton’s Paul Woolnough (+1) defeat Gary Cattermole (-6) 11-2, 7-11, 11-7, 8-11, 15-13.
The all-Walton clash saw the ‘B’ team emerge narrow 5-3 victors over their ‘A’ side. With the scores level at 3-all, the match was in the balance but Graham Buxton and John Rankin took the next two singles, Rankin (+1) snatching a match-winning 16-14, 11-3, 19-17 victory against Colin Dearman (-1).
Walton C are the fourth team through after disposing of cup-holders Nomads Cougars 5-1, Derek Willis and Mark Gale unbeaten on the night. A Colin Beaumont (+1) win against Paul Meikle (-3) was the Cougars’ sole success.
* The draw for the semi-finals has kept the Windsor and Walton teams apart. Windsor Hawks will play Walton C, whilst Walton B will host Windsor Eagles.
The semi-finals will be played during week beginning 31st March with the final taking place on Thursday 8th May at the Brotherhood Hall.
* It was a good week in Division Two of the League for Windsor Owls who chalked up two excellent wins, Frank Burbidge taking trebles in both of them.
Tricia Salter, a 13-11 in the fifth winner against Doug Green, was also unbeaten in the Owls’ 8-2 win over Nomads Ocelots with Adam Jackson picking up a couple. Both Burbidge and Salter enjoyed unexpected victories against Peter Giles, although it was a tight 11-8 in the decider for Burbidge.
The Owls followed this with another well-deserved success against Lawford, Burbidge defeating Paul Hewitt 11-6 in the fifth in the closest match of the evening. Tricia Salter won two and earned the plaudits for an outstanding individual performance against Richard Spence, saving six set points in the second set to win 11-4, 16-14, 11-9 and playing some of the best table tennis of her career.
Meanwhile, Windsor Ravens consolidated second place with a 10-0 win against Windsor Harriers. Isabel Barton was the only Harriers’ player to make any impression, giving Gary Stallwood a fright before losing 12-10, 2-11, 11-7, 5-11, 3-11.
In Division Three Brotherhood E extended their lead at the top with an 8-2 success against Brotherhood L. Tony Edmonds was the only undefeated player whilst Morgan Harvey took the two points for the losers.
Windsor Swallows played twice and won twice, defeating Windsor Ospreys 9-1 and Windsor Kites 7-3. Malcolm Caley was unbeaten in both encounters. In the latter match, Chris Simson, Mick Simson and Rachel Simson each recorded a win.
Finally, the all-Nomads’ clash between the Lynx and the Leopards ended 8-2 in favour of the Lynx. Kevin Hume took three and there were two each for Brian Friday and Peter Miller. But Miller had to battle hard before defeating Harry Beezer 11-13, 12-10, 18-20, 11-6, 11-9. Dan Malinowski won the two points for the Leopards.
* The Junior Combination Tournament will take place at the Windsor venue on Friday 4th April with play starting at 7.00 pm.
RESULTS
Handicap Knock-Out Cup : Round 4
Walton D 2 Windsor Eagles 5;
Nomads Cougars 1 Walton C 5;
Brotherhood J 0 Windsor Hawks 5;
Walton B 5 Walton A 3.
League
Division 2
Windsor Owls 6 Lawford 4;
Windsor Ravens 10 Windsor Harriers 0;
Nomads Ocelots 2 Windsor Owls 8.
Division 3
Brotherhood L 2 Brotherhood E 8;
Windsor Kites 3 Windsor Swallows 7;
Nomads Lynx 8 Nomads Leopards 2;
Windsor Swallows 9 Windsor Ospreys 1.
To view the full tables click here
Tony Oswick (March 10, 2014)