It was a week of mixed fortune for Nomads Lions in Division One of the Clacton and District League.
They began in fine style with an unexpected 6-4 victory over Brotherhood A. Sam Hume starred with an excellent hat-trick, well supported by John Hatley with two and Adam Wilkin who picked up one.
In a hard-fought match where five of the matches went the distance, Wilkin beat Elliot Attrill 11-8 in the fifth but narrowly lost 11-9 in the decider to Martyn Green. The doubles produced the closest encounter, Attrill and Green edging out Hatley and Wilkin 3-2 (11-8, 10-12, 13-11, 5-11, 13-11).
There was no Hume in the Lions’ line-up in their second match of the week against reigning champions Nomads Panthers – but even Sam’s presence would not have affected the result. The Panthers showed little mercy in their 8-2 success, both James Denyer and Gill Locke staying unbeaten.
John Fenton was the Lions’ best player, taking Denyer close before losing 11-5 in the fifth but going on to beat Colin Webber 11-8 in the decider. Hatley and Wilkin shared a fine 3-2 (11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6) doubles victory against Locke and Webber.
Elsewhere, Martin Edwards and John Owen remained undefeated as Brotherhood B beat Windsor Kestrels 8-2. Their third player, David North, enjoyed a 3-2 (11-7, 9-11, 6-11, 16-14, 11-5) victory over Bob Sawyer and will feel unfortunate to have gone down 11-9 in the decider to Dave Martin.
Every player picked up a point in the all-Windsor encounter between the Eagles and the Ravens, the Eagles winning the match 7-3. Gary Cattermole was unbeaten for the victors, John Hobson taking two and Sue Welham one.
John Harvey of the Ravens beat Welham, as did Woo Dy by a narrow 11-8 in the fifth, whilst John Long’s 3-2 win over Hobson was a nailbiter – 9-11, 11-5, 15-13, 8-11, 15-13.
Derek Willis and the returning Gary Young took hat-tricks for Walton C, 7-3 winners over Walton B. None of the individual matches went the distance – and only three went to a fourth set.
Colin Stallwood was again the difference as Windsor Condors scraped past Windsor Hawks 6-4. Paul Woolnough won a point with a crucial 11-7 in the decider victory over John Barton. Andy Vincent and Felipe Rodriguez each won twice for the Hawks, although Felipe had to battle hard against sister Annabelle before eventually winning 11-7 in the fifth.
Nomads Ocelots recorded a resounding 8-2 victory in Division Two over club-mates Nomads Tigers, Brian Parish taking his three with John Hockley and Harry Hawkes each winning twice. Parish had a tight tussle with Eric Lemke before coming out on top 11-7 in the fifth whilst John Marshall’s two for the Tigers included a 3-2 (5-11, 5-11, 11-6,12-10, 11-8) victory against Hockley.
Brotherhood I enjoyed a good scrap with Brotherhood H before emerging narrow 6-4 victors. Mark Beckham’s hat-trick included a 3-2 (11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8) win against James Smith-Daye and an even closer victory by the same margin (11-9, 11-9, 10-12, 8-11, 16-14) over Grant Sharpe. Kelvin Olano took two and Jonathan Found one for the ‘I’ team whilst Sharpe, with two, and Rowan Cottee with an 11-7 in the fifth win over Found, took points for the losers.
Sandie Isaac was Brotherhood F’s unbeaten star in their drawn match with Windsor Harriers although it was a nerve-jangling 12-10 in the decider against Ferdy Rodriguez. Barry Allen and Lee Allen each picked up a point for Brotherhood whilst Isabel Barton won a couple for Windsor.
Windsor Buzzards marched on undefeated in Division Three with a convincing 9-1 success against Nomads Bobcats. Pete Bloomfield and Ray Chillingworth again took hat-tricks but Nomads’ Vic Little surprised Dan Malinowski with an 11-8 in the decider victory.
Nomads Pumas defeated Windsor Kites 10-0 but the Kites so nearly got on the scoresheet, John Houghton having to use every ounce of experience before beating Chris Simson 3-2 (8-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-9).
Alan Charman was the maximum man for Windsor Penguins in their 6-4 win against Windsor Ospreys, his hat-trick including an 11-8 in the decider victory over Lucy Burton. Burton and Woody Fitzpatrick each won twice for the Ospreys, Fitzpatrick involved in the closest match of the evening when he defeated Jackie Bunce in five (11-9, 7-11, 9-11, 12-10, 14-12).
It was also 6-4 as Nomads Wildcats defeated Walton D, Andrew Cawley winning three, Paul Dale two and Hazel Blanche one. Lynette Sparks won two and Toni Hayhoe-Khan one for Walton, the pair also sharing a good doubles win in four over Cawley and Blanche.
Brotherhood G’s team troubles continued and, forced to field two guests, went down 7-3 to Nomads Lynx. Graham Parkes took his three for Brotherhood although it was a close-run 11-9 in the fifth against Mike Hillier.
RESULTS
Division 1
Brotherhood A 4 Nomads Lions 6
Windsor Eagles 7 Windsor Ravens 3
Nomads Lions 2 Nomads Panthers 8
Brotherhood B 8 Windsor Kestrels 2
Walton B 3 Walton C 7
Windsor Condors 6 Windsor Hawks 4
Division 2
Brotherhood I 6 Brotherhood H 4
Nomads Ocelots 8 Nomads Tigers 2
Brotherhood F 5 Windsor Harriers 5
Division 3
Nomads Pumas 10 Windsor Kites 0
Windsor Buzzards 9 Nomads Bobcats 1
Windsor Penguins 6 Windsor Ospreys 4
Nomads Lynx 7 Brotherhood G 3
Walton D 4 Nomads Wildcats 6
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Tony Oswick
October 13, 2014