Nomads Lynx are making a late push for promotion from Division Three of the Clacton and District League.
With 44 points from their last six matches, including a comfortable 10-0 win this week for Brian Friday, Kevin Hume and Tom Collins over Nomads Wildcats, the Lynx have moved from sixth to second place in less than two months.
The Lynx were helped as their nearest rivals, Brotherhood H and Brotherhood G, both suffered defeats.
In a top-of-the-table clash, runaway leaders Brotherhood E – already almost assured of top place and promotion – beat Brotherhood H 7-3. Duncan Dunne took three, Tony Edmonds taking two and Rodney Betts one. Dunne was involved in one of the closest matches of the season, defeating Gerald Batt 3-2 (9-11, 11-8, 12-10, 10-12, 17-15). Graham Parkes won two for the losers and Batt one.
Brotherhood G lost 6-4 to Windsor Penguins for a second time this season. There were two each for Brotherhood’s Lee Allen and Alan Fryer but Ray Chillingworth’s unbeaten form continued for the Penguins. It was a keenly-fought contest with Chillingworth defeating Allen 3-2 (5-11, 10-12, 13-11, 12-10, 11-7) and Windsor captain Jackie Bunce beating her Brotherhood counterpart Mark Trayhorn 3-2 (8-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-9).
Only two points now separate these three teams in second, third and fourth places, with the Lynx having played one more match.
Elsewhere, Nomads Leopards recorded an unexpected 9-1 victory over Windsor Swallows. Dan Malinowski and Roger McNaughton stayed unbeaten while Paul Dale’s pair for the Leopards included an 11-6 in the decider victory against Iris Howlett. Malcolm Caley took the Swallow’s consolation point.
Brotherhood L were 8-2 winners over Walton E, Morgan Harvey and Debra Found unbeaten. Walton’s Lynette Sparks had a good win over Jonathan Found and, with Toni Hayhow-Khan, defeated the Found pairing in the doubles.
Windsor Kites celebrated a fourth win of the season when they edged past Windsor Ospreys 6-4. In a topsy-turvy match every player picked up a point, Kayley Lamb of the Ospreys defeating Rachel Simson who defeated Woody Fitzpatrick who defeated Carl Hubbard who defeated Kayley Lamb. But Chris Simson of the Kites rose above it all with a treble that included a surprise win against Lucy Burton. The doubles produced the closest match of the evening, Hubbard and Chris Simson beating Burton and Fitzpatrick 3-2 (11-9, 12-10, 11-13, 12-14, 11-8).
In Division One leaders Nomads Panthers breezed to a 10-0 win against Windsor Hawks and are well on course towards taking the title in consecutive years.
Their cause was further helped – not that they need much help – when second-placed Brotherhood A were forced to concede their match with Panthers through their season-long problem of player availability.
However, Brotherhood A were able to field a strong side against club-mates Brotherhood B and ran out 9-1 winners, Alan Burgess and Josh Sidki taking three each. Martin Edwards was the sole point-winner for the losers, beating Martyn Green.
This defeat for Brotherhood B leaves them perilously placed at the foot of the table and, with six matches to play, they are now a single point above the relegation places ahead of a rejuvenated Nomads Cougars.
The Cougars picked up five valuable points in their drawn match with Walton D. Sam Hume and Adam Cuthbert both won twice and Colin Beaumont once. Kevin Gowlett was unbeaten for Walton whilst Paul Woolnough was involved in a tight encounter with Beaumont, winning 11-7 in the decider.
Brotherhood D’s season gets no better and the division’s bottom side suffered a 10-0 defeat at the hands of Windsor Eagles for a second time this season.
In the mid-table clash between Walton C and a Nomads Lions’ side forced to field a guest, Walton won 7-3. Jason Gale enjoyed wins over John Fenton and John Hatley.
In Division Two Windsor Ravens strengthened their promotion position with a 7-3 victory over lowly Windsor Magpies, John Harvey unbeaten. Dave Sweetland picked up a couple of surprise victories for the Magpies – 3-2 (11-9, 13-11, 8-11, 6-11, 11-7) against John Long and an even tighter 12-10, 6-11, 12-10, 10-12, 15-13 against Brian Thiel. With Dan Wright, Sweetland also shared a five-set doubles success against Harvey and Long.
An undefeated John Hockley starred in Nomads Ocelots’ 6-4 win against Lawford. Peter Giles took a couple for the Ocelots as did Richard Spence for Lawford.
Gracie Edwards was another to put in a stellar performance, recording a maiden Division Two maximum as Brotherhood J shared the spoils with Brotherhood C. But it was a close-run thing, Edwards keeping her nerve to defeat Kevin Pryor 12-10 in the decider. Fred Gallone and Lawrence Torr took two each for the ‘C’ team.
Nomads Jaguars were 6-4 victors against Brotherhood I, Harry Hawkes’ treble for the winners including an 11-7 in the fifth victory against John Wrigley. Mike Hillier won two for the Jaguars.
Finally, Windsor Harriers defeated Nomads Tigers 9-1, Isabel Barton taking a treble. Tony Robinson won the Tigers’ consolation point and will feel unfortunate to have lost both his other two singles close in five, including an 11-8 in the fifth defeat against Barton.
* In Division Two of the Veterans Section of the Essex Inter-League, Clacton narrowly lost 5-4 to a strong side from local rivals Colchester. Colin Webber, Gill Locke and Phil Smith each picked up a singles win, with Locke and Smith combining to take the doubles.
* Entries are now open for the Closed Championships to be held at the Coastal Academy Sports Hall over the weekend of 26th and 27th April. Once again, the Tournament is being sponsored by Paul Newbould Planning and Building Design Services. There are twelve titles to be played for over two days. Details have been sent to all eligible players. Entries can be sent to either Tony Oswick or Peter White, or made on-line via the League’s website. The closing date for entry is Sunday 6th April.
* The Junior Combination Tournament will take place at the Windsor venue on Friday 4th April with play starting at 7pm.
RESULTS
Division One
Windsor Hawks 0 Nomads Panthers 10;
Walton D 5 Nomads Cougars 5;
Brotherhood A 9 Brotherhood B 1;
Nomads Lions 3 Walton C 7;
Windsor Eagles 10 Brotherhood D 0;
Nomads Panthers 10 v Brotherhood A (walk-over)
Division 2
Brotherhood C 5 Brotherhood J 5;
Nomads Jaguars 6 Brotherhood I 4;
Windsor Harriers 9 Nomads Tigers 1;
Windsor Ravens 7 Windsor Magpies 3;
Nomads Ocelots 6 Lawford 4;
Brotherhood F v Windsor Kestrels (result card not yet received)
Division 3
Walton E 2 Brotherhood L 8;
Windsor Kites 6 Windsor Ospreys 4;
Nomads Wildcats 0 Nomads Lynx 10;
Brotherhood G 4 Windsor Penguins 6;
Brotherhood E 7 Brotherhood H 3;
Windsor Swallows 1 Nomads Leopards 9.
Essex Inter-League
Veterans Division 2
Clacton (Webber, Locke, Smith) 4 Colchester 5.
To view full tables, click here
by Tony Oswick (March 18, 2014)