ST JAMES C ‘FIELDER’ STRONGER TEAM THAN GT HORKESLEY D
In a marathon match that ended 9-1 to the home team, Division Three promotion rivals St James C and Gt Horkesley D fought out an enthralling encounter. Rarely are matches decided in the first game but after dominating most of it Steve Holland bowed down to the guile of Tony Oswick. This set the tone as the Clacton based team won the next eight games with Holland gaining a late consolation win in another five set match, beating Ian Fielder.
This takes St James to the top, with Lawford B four points behind with a game in hand. Gt Horkesley are third and did beat Dedham A 6-4 with Holland winning three matches in determined style. Pegasus C close to within two points of fourth placed Tollesbury B with a surprisingly easy 8-2 win over them. Mike Sant and Tony Eversden were in top form, both beating Tollesbury’s star player, Tom Lewis in three ends. Pegasus’s D team matched this result, winning 8-2 against bottom team Gt Horkesley E. Alistair Woodcock and Kevin Turner were both unbeaten. Oliver Reynolds excellent treble for H20 Rowhedge H against club mates H20 Rowhedge G was not enough to stop his team going down 6-4.
At least seven teams will tell you they still have a shout at promotion in Division Four and the senior staff of Gilberd A have gone back to the top. They blew away Lawford D 10-0 this week whilst Lawford’s C team upset the form books with a convincing 8-2 win over Dedham B. Dedham were suffering with shortages due to illness which Steve Marr took advantage of winning his three. Gilberd B are firmly in contention as they inflicted defeat on Tollgate D 7-3. Keir Brown and Dan Rhodes once again completed maximums.
Gt Horkesley A are the third team in as many weeks to head Division One, this week enlisting the services of Gary Young in a 10-0 drubbing of bottom club Walton B. Walton suffered the same fete against H20 Rowhedge A whilst Tollgate A dropped two places to third despite a 6-4 win over H20 Rowhedge B. Colin Stallwood was the player of the match, his three wins included an impressive three straight win over Kevin Gowlett. Gowlett completed a fine ‘double’ himself over Andy Warner as both won two. Two teams enjoying their season in the top flight are Pegasus A and H20 Rowhedge C and honours ended even in their fixture. Gary Cattermole won three as his team led 5-3 but Ian Whiteside’s four set win over Fred Button sealed the comeback. Walton A moved up to seventh beating a Gary Young less Gt Horkesley C 9-1. Coin Dearman and Matt Watson both were undefeated. Young returned to action against St James A but his three wins could not prevent a second defeat for his team, 6-4.
In Division Two, leaders Lawford A went down 7-3 to Walton C with no player coming through unscathed. Tom Malster won an impressive brace for the home team, inflicting Matt Watson’s first defeat of the season. Tollgate C move to within one point of the top with Marcia Ma marking her first appearance since the first week of the competition with a maximum in her team’s 6-4 win at H20 Rowhedge E. Tollesbury A and H20 Rowhedge D shared the spoils in a 5-5 draw, Alan Burgess ensuring his team moved up to fourth with his customary maximum. Pegasus B and H20 Rowhedge F also fought out a 5-5 draw with Glen Laing winning his three.
Martyn Green