WILY WRIGLEY RAISES BROTHERHOOD HOPES

It’s been a difficult start to the season for newly-promoted Brotherhood I in Division Two of the Clacton and District League but they gave themselves heart and hope this week with an encouraging draw against Nomads Jaguars.

John Wrigley, one of the longest-serving and wiliest players in the League, led the way for Brotherhood by taking an excellent hat-trick, although he had to fight hard before beating Vic Little 11-6 in the fifth.

Mike Hillier and Harry Hawkes won two each for Nomads whilst Little contributed an 11-9 in the decider victory over Rowan Cottee.

But the crucial encounter proved to be the doubles, Wrigley and James Smith-Daye overcoming Little and Hawkes 3-2 (8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 15-13).

Windsor Magpies’ woes continued with an 8-2 loss at the hands of Windsor Ravens. John Plummer and Dave Sweetland got consolation points with wins over John Long whilst Brian Thiel’s three for the victors included an 11-9 in the fifth victory against Sweetland, and an 11-7 in the fifth victory over Plummer.

Despite three of the matches going the distance, the Magpies then lost 9-1 to Nomads Tigers. Darren Bunce and Tony Robinson were unbeaten although it was a close 11-9 in the fifth for Bunce against Plummer.

Brotherhood J were boosted by a 6-4 success against a weakened Brotherhood C. There were three for Kelvin Olano, two for Tom Burton and one for Gracie Edwards. Kevin Pryor denied Burton his hat-trick in match ten, 11-9 in the fifth.

At the top, Nomads Ocelots enjoyed a good scrap with Lawford before emerging 6-4 winners, with every player picking up a point but no-one staying undefeated. Nomads’ Peter Giles and John Hockley, and Lawford’s Paul Hewitt, all won two but the Ocelots had the best of three of the last four matches, all of which went to a decider. Hockley nicked it 14-12 in the fifth against Ian Sherwood, Daryl Lott defeated Hewitt 11-5 in the fifth, with Giles and Hockley beating Hewitt and Sherwood 11-9 in the fifth in the doubles.

This reverse for Lawford means Windsor Kestrels are now the only unbeaten side in the Division, the Kestrels this week romping home 10-0 against an Attrill-less Brotherhood F. New-signing Alan Rutledge recorded a debut League hat-trick.

Attrill was back for Brotherhood against Windsor Owls and, although he won twice, he couldn’t get the better of the dogged Frank Burbidge who took his three for Windsor. Adam Jackson won a couple for the Owls whilst Sue Watson played well without success, losing 11-7 in the decider to both Barry Allen and Mark Beckham. Appropriately, the match ended all-square.

In a mid-table clash, Windsor Harriers beat Nomads Tigers 8-2. Windsor reserve Ray Chillingworth demonstrated what an improved performer he is to remain the only unbeaten player on the night. Darren Bunce got the Tigers’ two points.

Brotherhood E, given their sternest test so far in Division Three, were grateful to come out with a draw against Brotherhood H, a result that preserves both sides’ unbeaten records. Rodney Betts took a treble for the ‘E’ team.

Windsor Penguins took advantage of Pete Bloomfield’s absence in the Brotherhood G line-up to triumph 6-4. Ray Chillingworth won three and there was a point apiece for Michael Monschau and Jackie Bunce, Jackie crucially defeating Mark Trayhorn 11-6 in the fifth. Alan Fryer and Lee Allen won two each for Brotherhood.

Nomads Leopards were forced to play with a guest and so their 7-3 defeat by Windsor Swallows was of little surprise. Leopards’ captain Tony Rayner took two singles’ wins and shared a doubles success in five with Harry Beezer against Malcolm Caley and Iris Howlett.

In an all-Nomads encounter, the Lynx beat the Wildcats 9-1, Pete Miller and Brian Friday unbeaten. Harry Barlow took the Wildcats’ point with a nail-biting 15-13 in the decider win over Tom Collins.

There was an all-Windsor clash at St James Hall where the Kites notched up a 6-4 victory at the expense of the Ospreys. It was their third success of the season. Lucy Burton stayed undefeated for the losers and shared a doubles’ victory with Woody Fitzpatrick against Carl Hubbard and Chris Simson.

Reigning champions Nomads Panthers crept further up the Division One table with a comfortable 9-1 win over a weakened Windsor Hawks.  Andy Vincent’s victory over Colin Webber in the opening encounter of the evening was the Hawks’ sole success.

Colin Stallwood chalked up yet another hat-trick whilst Jim Pallett contributed an unexpected victory over John Rice in Windsor Condors’ match with Walton A. But these were insufficient to prevent the Condors losing 6-4, Matt Watson and Colin Dearman each winning two for Walton.

An undefeated three from Dave Binns was the feature of Brotherhood A’s 7-3 victory against Brotherhood B. John Andrews picked up a couple for the winners as did Martin Edwards for the losers, Edwards’ pair including a tight 3-2 (11-9, 14-12, 7-11, 8-11, 11-9) win over Alan Burgess.

It was also 7-3 for Walton D against Nomads Cougars. The much-improved Paul Woolnough stayed undefeated although it was a close 11-8 in the decider against Colin Beaumont. Walton’s Kevin James’ hopes of a hat-trick were denied by Sam Hume, who won two for the Cougars.

Nomads Lions’ John Hatley was another to take a maximum, his three against Walton C including 11-8 in the fifth wins against both Derek Willis and Mark Gale. The Lions won the match 6-4.

Finally, Promoted Brotherhood D’s unhappy season continued, going down 10-0 to Windsor Eagles, a result which leaves them firmly rooted to the foot of the table.

RESULTS
Division 1
Nomads Panthers 9 Windsor Hawks 1
Walton C 4 Nomads Lions 6
Brotherhood D 0 Windsor Eagles 10
Nomads Cougars 3 Walton D 7
Windsor Condors 4 Walton A 6
Brotherhood B 3 Brotherhood A 7

Division 2
Nomads Tigers 2 Brotherhood F 8
Nomads Tigers 2 Windsor Harriers 8
Brotherhood F 5 Windsor Owls 5
Lawford 4 Nomads Ocelots 6
Brotherhood J 6 Brotherhood C 4
Windsor Magpies 1 Nomads Tigers 9
Brotherhood I 5 Nomads Jaguars 5
Windsor Magpies 2 Windsor Ravens 8
Windsor Kestrels 10 Brotherhood F 0

Division 3
Windsor Penguins 6 Brotherhood G 4
Windsor Ospreys 4 Windsor Kites 6
Nomads Lynx 9 Nomads Wildcats 1
Brotherhood E 5 Brotherhood H 5
Nomads Leopards 3 Windsor Swallows 7

To view the full tables click here

Written by Tony Oswick (November 4, 2013)