If Windsor Hawks thought life in Division Two of the Clacton and District Table Tennis League was going to be easy, they were given a rude awakening this week by Windsor Owls.
The Hawks emerged as 7-3 winners but, in a match where every player picked up a point, the score-line disguised an unpredictable and topsy-turvy match.
Andy Vincent’s maximum for the Hawks included an 11-9 in the fifth victory over Gary Stallwood whilst John Barton’s two included an even closer 13-11 in the decider win against the same player.
Dave Austin enjoyed an 11-7 in the fifth success over Adam Jackson, but Jackson played exceptionally well to defeat Barton
8-11, 15-13, 4-11, 15-13, 11-8 to take the Owls’ first point.
Stallwood made it two by beating Austin 11-6 in the fifth whilst Angela Barratt took the third, causing a major surprise when she edged out Austin 11-9 in the fifth.
It was seven points for the Hawks but also a timely reminder that, if they’re to make a speedy return to the top-flight, they’ll have to do it the hard way.
Elsewhere, Richard Spence was unbeaten and Ian Sherwood won twice as Lawford beat Brotherhood E 6-4, Brotherhood’s Rodney Betts taking two wins in a match for the first time in over a year.
Isabel Barton and John Long won two each as Windsor Ravens defeated Brotherhood F 6-4, the same score by which Windsor Magpies beat an under-strength Windsor Harriers, Ferdy Rodriguez playing a captain’s innings to stay unbeaten for the losers.
In a fourth 6-4 score-line, Brotherhood C beat Nomads Lions, Kevin Pryor’s undefeated for the victors, but Walton D were too strong for Nomads Lynx, winning 10-0 with something to spare.
Nomads Pumas, 8-2 winners over a Brotherhood K side fielding a guest player, are the early Division Three leaders, Brotherhood’s Brian Baines narrowly defeating both John Houghton and Alan Dockerill but unable to get the better of Andrew Cousins.
There were hat-tricks for League debutants Tony Robinson and Eric Lemke as Nomads Tigers beat Brotherhood L 7-3 whilst Windsor Swallows were 9-1 winners over Windsor Kites, Janet Beech winning twice but losing out 11-8 in the decider to the Kites’ Chris Simson.
The Bobcats beat a depleted Leopards 8-2, Dave Hutchinson and Tom Collins each winning on debut, while James Smith-Daye took three in Brotherhood G’s 6-4 win over Windsor Penguins, Ray Chillingworth and Mike Monschau picking up two each for the losers.
In Division One Windsor Roosters defeated Windsor Eagles 10-0, Phil Smith unlucky to lose 11-8 in the fifth to Gary Cattermole and then 12-10 in the decider to his son, Mark.
Walton B beat Windsor Kestrels 7-3 but Chris Petrou of the Kestrels played out of his skin to stay undefeated, his treble including a close 11-9 in the fifth win over Paul Newbould.
Stewart Murray led the way for Brotherhood B to take his three in his side’s 7-3 success over Nomads Jaguars, Terry Kirby playing well for the Jaguars to beat both Martin Edwards and John Owen.
A maximum for new signing Kevin Gowlett saw Walton A home 8-2 against Walton C, Jason Gale beating Kevin James and Mark Gale defeating Matt Watson for the “C” team’s points.
But title-holders Brotherhood A started the season in unfortunate mode, playing an unregistered player against Nomads Panthers which resulted in a match score of 7-3 in favour of the Panthers.
* Players are reminded that all players must be registered with the ETTA. The matches of any player not ETTA-registered by Sunday 16th October will be voided.
* To book a team for the Nomads Club Quiz Evening on Saturday 8th October at the URC Hall, Carnarvon Road, contact Mike Hillier
(Tel : 01255 424979). Tickets are £3 each for teams of up to six. Bring your own food and drink.
RESULTS
Division 1
Windsor Kestrels 3 Walton B 7;
Windsor Eagles 0 Windsor Roosters 10;
Brotherhood B 7 Nomads Jaguars 3;
Walton A 8 Walton C 2;
Nomads Panthers 7 Brotherhood A 3.
Division 2
Brotherhood C 6 Nomads Lions 4;
Walton D 10 Nomads Lynx 0;
Windsor Hawks 7 Windsor Owls 3;
Lawford 6 Brotherhood E 4;
Windsor Ravens 6 Brotherhood F 4;
Windsor Magpies 6 Windsor Harriers 4.
Division 3
Brotherhood L 3 Nomads Tigers 7;
Windsor Swallows 9 Windsor Kites 1;
Nomads Pumas 8 Brotherhood K 2;
Nomads Leopards 2 Nomads Bobcats 8;
Brotherhood G 6 Windsor Penguins 4.
Tony Ostwick
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