Wakering recorded their first ever win in Southend League Division 1 this week. In part this was due to visiting Mapledene only being able to muster two player. Nonetheless, maximums from POM Callum Turner and Andy Deadman were the major factors. Charles Yeung and Lin Roff got one win apiece, but Wakering ended up 7 – 2 winners. Closest contest of the night saw Charles narrowly lose to Andy in the fifth set.
Basildon A’s Les Hoey and Arun Joy continued their unbeaten runs when their side went to Canvey A. Both returned maximums, with Les taking the POM prize. However, the home side’s Andy Murray did well to take Les to five sets before capitulating 11 – 6 in the fifth. In a similar manner, Canvey’s Bob Skews was also unfortunate to lose to Les 11 – 8 in the fifth. This was a top of the table clash. With Basildon winning 6 – 3 they are in second place, two points behind Canvey but, importantly, they have a game in hand over the Islanders.
Brand Identity B were another side unable to find a third player. Consequently, their 7 – 2 away defeat to Matchpoint A was no great surprise. Captain Harry Sawford and POM Alex Deacon both got hat tricks, whilst the away team’s Dale Gutteridge and Mick Grout shared their side’s points.
In terms of results it was the tightest week yet in Division 2 with every match finishing 5-4! It also saw two clubs record their first wins of the season and two octagenarians meet in the the clash of promotion rivals Hockley C and Matchpoint B.
First team to record a 5-4 win, and also their first of the season, was Hockley D on their visit to Stanford C. Hockley have been picking up points steadily this season but that elusive first win has now come and all down to teenagers Elliot Brackenbury and William Evesham. Brackenbury claimed his second hat trick of the season and this time a perfect one not dropping a set. Evesham provided the back up with a brace but the opposition proved a bit too strong for Graham Gregory. Peter Moxham and Chris Crooks both claimed a point and Martin Winter two for Stanford. Closest match of the night was Evesham’s 12/10 in the fifth set win against the very experienced Crooks.
Matchpoint C were the other team to pick up their first win of the season when they beat Invicta B. In a match that swung back and forth Matchpoint were 4-3 down but wins for Roger Sherman and Oliver Milchard swung the match in their favour. Sherman and Milchard both won two matches but there was an important single point won by Zach Samuels who came from two sets down to beat Michael Keeble 11/6 in the fifth. Player of the match, however, was Invicta’s Sarah Ball who recorded her first hat trick of the season. Matchpoint stay bottom of the table despite their win.
At the other end of the table third placed Hockley C met second in the table Matchpoint B and a John Lott inspired team saw them race to a 5-2 lead before two late wins for Hockley restored respectability for the home side. Featured match of the night was the clash of octagenarians Lott and Mike Worship. These two opponents have met many times over the years and games are normally evenly spread but this time it was Lott who emerged victorious in four sets. Lott was ably supported by Alex Bowden who won two but young Max Mayo missed out. Worship picked up two wins and there was a point each for Neal Klyman and Paul Strutt. Matchpoint are now level on points with Stanford B at the top of the table but have played one game more.
In the final game of the week Canvey B moved into second place by just edging out Runnymede 5-4. Terry Giddens was the POTM with a fine hat trick and there was a point each for Des Duffield and Tony Westwell. For Runnymede Andrew Humphris and Steve Wisbey both won two but Tina Hutchinson just missed out going to five sets against Westwell having led 2-0.
Player of the Week – Elliot Brackenbury
Team of the Week – Matchpoint C