Since joining the Clacton & District League five years ago, 18-year-old Woody Fitzpatrick has quietly progressed from raw beginner to impressive and dependable Division Two player.

And Woody displayed this to splendid effect this week, producing another fine performance to record his fifth hat-trick of the current campaign in Brotherhood H’s 7-3 success over Brotherhood F. His technique and dogged determination earned him two close five-set victories over experienced Second Division performers Lee Allen and Barry Allen, winning 11-9 in the decider and 11-7 in the decider respectively.

Mark Salter also stayed unbeaten and Tricia Salter won one in a victory which helped the ‘H’ team maintain their promotion push. For the ‘F’ side, the two Allens won a singles each and shared a nail-biting 13-11 in the fifth doubles victory over the two Salters.

Elsewhere, Divisional leaders Brotherhood I beat Windsor Harriers 7-3 for a second time this season, John Owen taking three, Graham Parkes two and Fred Gallone one, with Owen and Parkes sharing a doubles success.

Windsor Kestrels were forced to field two reserves against Walton E but, with Walton including both Maggie Earle and Jane Young, it turned out to be a tight match. Walton eventually took it 6-4 but only by edging all three matches which went the distance. Gary Stallwood’s maximum for the winners included an 11-7 in the fifth win over Graham Bunce, whilst Young defeated Windsor reserve Jackie Bunce 11-7 in the fifth and Earle beat the same player 11-8 in the fifth. Graham Bunce won two for the Kestrels, whilst there was an excellent couple for Windsor’s second reserve, Paul Dale.

Brotherhood G drew for the first time this season, sharing the spoils with Windsor Buzzards – although they’ll feel unfortunate to lose four of the five matches which went the distance. Paul Metcalf and Mark Beckham each won two and John Gallagher one for Brotherhood, but it was Windsor’s John Harvey who was the unbeaten star on the night, his maximum including wins 11-9 in the fifth against Gallagher and 11-7 in the fifth against Beckham. As is often the case, the doubles proved crucial, Harvey and Alan Rutledge beating Beckham and Gallagher 3-2 (11-8, 10-12, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8).

Bottom team Nomads Jaguars needed a good start to the second half of the season if they were going to battle their way up the table but they started in the worst possible way, plummeting to a 9-1 defeat at the hands of Windsor Magpies. The two Daves, Martin and Sweetland, remained unbeaten for the Magpies whilst John Plummer won two. The Jaguars’ only success was Andy North’s win, 11-7 in the fifth, over Plummer.

In Division Three Nomads Pumas proved comfortable 9-1 victors against Windsor Merlins. Andrew Cousins and Alan Dockerill took trebles and Lionel Goddard two, with Sharon Gowlett winning the Merlins’ consolation point.

Darren Bunce was undefeated as Windsor Penguins beat Nomads Ocelots 8-2, Jackie Bunce and Paul Dale each contributing a couple. Arthur Wells-Garrett took both Ocelots’ points.

It was also 8-2 for Brotherhood J against Windsor Robins, Morgan Harvey and Harley Wood recording trebles, and Maci Harvey winning two. Bob Bales won one for the Robins and took Wood close before going down 11-6 in the fifth. Bales also tasted success in the doubles when, with new signing Lee Atkins, they defeated Wood and Morgan Harvey 11-6 in the decider.

In Division One Windsor Condors were 8-2 winners over bottom-side Lawford, Colin Stallwood and Martin Hogg taking predictable trebles. Richard Spence and Charlie Morris-Denholm picked up a point each for the losers.

Both Andy Warner and his Brotherhood C team maintained their unbeaten records in the drawn match with Walton A. Gary Young and Daniel Young each won two for Walton, both enjoying good wins over Kevin Gowlett.

Gary Cattermole’s fine form continued into the New Year with an unbeaten three in Windsor Eagles’ hard-earned 6-4 victory over club-mates Windsor Hawks. Phil Smith lost in five to Andy Vincent but took an important two for the Eagles, including an 11-7 in the fifth success against John Barton. For the Hawks, Vincent won two, and Barton and Felipe Rodriguez one each, both Vincent and Rodriguez having 11-9 in the decider victories over the unlucky Sue Welham.

Injury-hit Brotherhood D drafted John Andrews into their team against Walton C and he rewarded them with a hat-trick, his closest win an 11-5 in the decider victory over Paul Newbould. Brotherhood took the match 6-4 but every player picked up at least one point. Russell Hillier and Scott Campbell took a point apiece for Brotherhood, Campbell’s an 11-7 victory over John Rankin. The pair also shared a crucial 3-2 (7-11, 8-11, 19-17, 11-9, 11-6) doubles victory over Newbould and Ant Beckles. For Walton, Beckles won two, and there was one apiece for Newbould and Rankin, Newbould edging out Campbell 11-8 in the fifth.

Three for Adam Cuthbert, two for Ethan Lloyd, one from Jason Lloyd and a Cuthbert-Ethan Lloyd doubles victory saw Nomads Lions home 7-3 against Walton B. Ethan Lloyd had a tight 11-7 in the decider success over Colin Dearman whilst Cuthbert’s only five-setter win was against Jason Gale. For Walton, Gale won twice and Dearman once.

* The draw for Round Three of the Handicap Knock-Out has seen favourites Windsor Condors handed a potentially-awkward away tie against Division Two promotion hopefuls Brotherhood H. The draw guarantees at least one Third Division side in the quarter-finals with Nomads Lynx scheduled to play Brotherhood E. However, the other remaining Division Three side, Nomads Leopards, have not fared so well, and face a tough assignment against top-flight Windsor Eagles.

The full draw is : Brotherhood F v Brotherhood D; Nomads Leopards v Windsor Eagles; Nomads Lions v Lawford; Brotherhood I v Nomads Bobcats; Brotherhood H v Windsor Condors; Windsor Buzzards v Brotherhood G; Walton E v Nomads Tigers; Nomads Lynx v Brotherhood E. The matches are to be played during week beginning 4th February

* The draw has also made for Round Two of the Division Three Handicap Challenge: Brotherhood J v Windsor Penguins; Nomads Pumas v Windsor Robins; Walton D v Brotherhood E; Nomads Ocelots v Nomads Leopards. These matches are also to be played during week beginning 4th February.

* The Handicapped Singles Tournament takes place on Saturday 2nd February at Windsor’s St James Hall venue. The Tournament this year will be run on a group basis and, with eight groups of four players and the top two going through to the knock-out stage, every player should be guaranteed at least three matches. Because of the format, entry will be restricted to a maximum of 32 players on a first-come, first-served basis.

Entries can be made by post to Tony Oswick or online to Peter White. The entry fee is £3 and the closing date for entries is Sunday 27th January. Full details are on the League’s website.

* The Windsor Club is organising a Pig Race Fun Night on Saturday 16th February at St Osyth Village Hall, 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets are £3 each with free entry for children. Bring your own drink and nibbles. For more details get in touch with Jenny Higgins (Tel: 01255 432397) or Viv Rodriguez (01255 830951).

* Another date for your diary is Saturday 16th March when the League will be holding a Quiz Evening at the Brotherhood Hall. More details later.

RESULTS

Division 1
Brotherhood C 5 Walton A 5
Windsor Eagles 6 Windsor Hawks 4
Walton C 4 Brotherhood D 6
Nomads Lions 7 Walton B 3
Lawford 2 Windsor Condors 8

Division 2
Windsor Magpies 9 Nomads Jaguars 1
Windsor Harriers 3 Brotherhood I 7
Walton E 6 Windsor Kestrels 4
Brotherhood G 5 Windsor Buzzards 5
Brotherhood F 3 Brotherhood H 7

Division 3
Windsor Merlins 1 Nomads Pumas 9
Windsor Robins 2 Brotherhood J 8
Nomads Ocelots 2 Windsor Penguins 8