Windsor Ravens have been the surprise package this season in Division Two of the Clacton and District League and they continued their push for promotion with a 7-3 victory against Brotherhood J.
Gary Stallwood took three and John Harvey two for the Ravens, with John Long picking up a hard-fought 11-6 in the fifth win against Gracie Edwards.
Kelvin Olano took one of Brotherhood J’s points, while Tom Burton enjoyed a tight 12-10 in the fifth win over Long and an equally tight 13-11 in the fifth success against Harvey.
The Ravens are now 22 points clear of the third-placed Nomads Ocelots and are on course to take an unexpected promotion.
The Ocelots were 9-1 winners against Windsor Magpies, Andy North and Doug Green unbeaten. But Windsor’s Dave Sweetland will feel heartened with an excellent 3-2 individual success over Peter Giles (12-10, 12-10, 6-11, 5-11, 11-9).
Table-toppers Windsor Kestrels made no mistake against Brotherhood I, winning 10-0. The closest match, and the only one that went to five, saw Alan Rutledge beat Brotherhood reserve Rodney Betts 11-9, 11-7, 6-11, 16-18, 11-6.
Lawford defeated Nomads Jaguars 9-1, Richard Spence and Paul Hewitt taking trebles. Harry Hawkes got the losers’ point with a win in five against Ian Sherwood.
No one stayed unbeaten as Brotherhood C defeated Nomads Tigers 7-3. There were a couple each for Brotherhood’s Kevin Pryor, Adam Wilkin and reserve Gerald Batt, whilst Darren Bunce won two for the Tigers, defeating Pryor 11-4 in the fifth and Wilkin 11-9 in the fifth but losing 11-5 in the decider to Batt.
The all-Windsor mid-table clash between the Owls and Harriers ended all-square. Frank Burbidge was unbeaten for the Owls although it was tight 11-7 in the decider against Jenny Higgins. The pivotal match was the doubles, Burbidge and Sue Watson defeating Higgins and Ferdy Rodriguez 3-1 (9-11, 16-14, 11-8, 15-13). Rodriguez took a pair for the Harriers
In Division Three Brotherhood H regained the second promotion spot with a comfortable 9-1 victory against Windsor Kites although Windsor’s Chris Simson confirmed his recent improvement with a 3-1 (8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 13-11) win over Brian Baines.
Brotherhood G lost ground when they were held to a draw by Nomads Pumas. Andrew Cousins was the Pumas’ star, his maximum including a win in five against Pete Bloomfield. John Bowers won two for the Pumas as did Bloomfield for Brotherhood.
Nomads Lynx beat Walton E 6-4. Chris Harris made a rare appearance for Walton and, to the consternation of promotion-seeking Lynx, won all three. Lynette Sparks took the fourth Walton point with an 11-4 in the decider win over Tom Collins.
An undefeated Duncan Dunne was Brotherhood E’s best player in his side’s 6-4 win against Nomads Leopards. Team-mate Tony Edmonds won twice, as did Dan Malinowski for the Leopards. The Leopards also had the satisfaction of taking the doubles, Malinowski and Harry Beezer beating Edmonds and Gary Bayliss 3-2 (11-8, 10-12, 12-10, 5-11, 13-11), only the second time this season the ‘E’ team had lost a doubles.
A competitive clash at St James Hall between Windsor Penguins and Brotherhood L ended with honours even. Morgan Harvey stayed unbeaten for Brotherhood and exacted revenge on Ray Chillingworth for an early-season defeat, winning 11-6 in the decider.
Windsor Ospreys won 6-4 against a Nomads Wildcats side fielding a guest. Nomads’ Hazel Blanche was the most successful player on the night, her hat-trick including a 6-11, 11-8, 13-15, 11-8, 12-10 victory over Woody Fitzpatrick. Windsor’s Kayley Lamb enjoyed a narrow 15-13 in the fifth success over Andrew Cawley.
Nomads Cougars’ hopes of Division One survival were boosted when they secured a draw against Windsor Eagles. Paul Hume returned to take an impressive three which included an 11-8 in the decider win against Gary Cattermole. The Cougars have now gone three matches unbeaten and this week’s result takes them out of the relegation places for the first time in four months.
But Brotherhood B’s fortunes took a turn for the worse and they moved into the bottom two places for the first time this season after a 10-0 defeat at the hands of Walton A. Peter Burrows, Colin Dearman and John Rice all won three with only Rice’s 11-5 in the fifth win over Martin Edwards going the distance.
Bottom-team Brotherhood D battled hard against Walton B but hat-tricks from Gavin Price and Paul Newbould saw Walton home 8-2. Paul Alden and Russell Hillier took a point each for Brotherhood, Alden’s point being a 3-2 (12-10, 14-12, 2-11, 4-11, 11-6) victory against John Rankin.
Windsor Condors were 10-0 victors against a Walton D side that included a guest player. John Marshall played well for the losers and had two close matches before going down 11-7 in the fifth to John Pattrick and 11-9 in the fifth to Annabelle Rodriguez.
* In the Senior Section of the Essex Inter-League, Clacton had an excellent 6-4 win over a Colchester side containing three familiar names. James Denyer won three, Gary Cattermole defeated John Andrews and Josh Sidki, whilst Felipe Rodriguez sealed the victory with a surprise win over Greg Green.
* The Closed Championships are being held at the Coastal Academy Sports Hall on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th April. The Tournament is again being sponsored by Paul Newbould Planning and Building Design Services. Details have been sent to all eligible players. Entries, which can be sent to Tony Oswick or Peter White, or made online via the League’s website, must be received by the closing date of Sunday 6th April.
* The Junior Combination Tournament takes place at St James Hall on Friday 4th April, starting at 7pm.
RESULTS
Division 1
Nomads Cougars 5 Windsor Eagles 5;
Brotherhood B 0 Walton A 10;
Walton B 8 Brotherhood D 2;
Windsor Condors 10 Walton D 0.
Division 2
Nomads Tigers 3 Brotherhood C 7;
Windsor Magpies 1 Nomads Ocelots 9;
Windsor Kestrels 10 Brotherhood I 0;
Windsor Owls 5 Windsor Harriers 5;
Brotherhood J 3 Windsor Ravens 7;
Brotherhood F 4 Windsor Kestrels 6;
Lawford 9 Nomads Jaguars 1.
Division 3
Nomads Leopards 4 Brotherhood E 6;
Nomads Lynx 6 Walton E 4;
Windsor Penguins 5 Brotherhood L 5;
Windsor Ospreys 6 Nomads Wildcats 4;
Brotherhood H 9 Windsor Kites 1;
Brotherhood G 5 Nomads Pumas 5;
Essex Inter-League
Senior Division
Clacton (Denyer, Cattermole, Flpe Rodriguez) 6 Colchester 4.
To view full tables, click here
by Tony Oswick (March 24, 2014)