With the exception of Canvey B the top four teams in Southend League Division 2 all lost points in some hard fought matches this week. The Islanders didn’t have any problems as they cruised past Invicta B 8-1 but Stanford B were held to a 6-3 win at Rawreth Megazone, Hockley C just edged their own D team 5-4 and Matchpoint B did the same against Runnymede.
Canvey’s scoreline might have been closer as three matches went to five sets but only Steve Lennox managed to convert one into a win for Invicta as Tony Westwell edged out Sarah Ball and Kevin Walsingham got the better of Mike Keeble. Three wins each then for Westwell and Trevor Hayes and a brace for Walsingham which keeps Canvey in fourth place.
Stanford B would have had a far easier victory at Rawreth Megazone if they hadn’t come up against Gus Heath this week. He chalked up another perfect hat trick beating Rob Salvage, Mark Downey and Adrian Armstrong. Rawreth almost added another point but in the final game, and the only one to go the distance, Downey staged a remarkable comeback against Amar Al-Soufi to win 12/10 11/4 2/11 1/11 7/11. Stanford extend their lead at the top to 13 points.
Hockley C were pushed all the way by their own D team and found themselves 4-3 down at one stage before Brian Bissenden and Mike Worship won the last two games to give them the bragging rights at Hockley. Bissenden took the POTM award with a maximum plus two wins for Worship but Neal Klyman fought hard but got no reward on the night. There was a single win each for youngsters William Evesham and Elliot Brackenbury but a brace for Hannah Harbour who had an excellent five set win against the veteran Worship coming back from 2-1 down to win a really close match 11/6 8/11 9/11 13/11 11/9. Hockley C stay second.
Match of the week was at Matchpoint B where they produced a dramatic turnaround to save themselves from a shock defeat against Runnymede, coming back from 4-1 down to win 5-4. With the unbeaten Tony Millward in their side Runnymede were always going to be difficult to beat and they started in fine form Millward and Andy Humphries both winning their opening two games with Alex Bowden beating Anne Adlington in reply. Things then started to go dramatically wrong for Runnymede as Max Mayo beat Adlington and Bowden beat Humphries before Mayo then pulled off the biggest shock beating Millward in four sets to level the scores. Fittingly the deciding game then went to five sets and it was a victory for youth as Lotte Mills beat Adlington 11/7 in the decider. Matchpoint B stay second.
Team of the Week – Matchpoint B
Player of the Week – Gus Heath
Report by Paul Strutt
Brand Identity’s Adam Jackman’s return from Premier League duties has again upset the Division 1 equilibrium. This week his team were away at leaders Basildon A. Adam recorded an unbeaten maximum to lead his side to an impressive 7 – 2 victory. His hat trick included a first defeat of the season for the home side’s Arun Joy. Team mates Michael Grout and Dale Gutteridge each added two wins, whilst Arun was responsible for both Basildon’s successes.
Canvey A returned to winning ways. Bob Skews was their hero, winning all three of his rubbers in a 7 – 2 away win at Mapledene. The returning Ray Wilson and stalwart Peter Cray shared their sides other points. The home side’s ladies, Lin Roff and Dawn Baldry, won one contest each.
In a close fought match, Rawreth Megazone C overcame their visitors Hadleigh Forum B 6 – 3. Paul Brown was again Rawreth’s star, taking the POM prize with an unbeaten evening. Gary McCarthy added two and Trevor Ward one win. The Forum team of Dave Woolmer, Tony Jacks and Mick Tappenden each managed one victory. Mick was particularly unfortunate to be on the losing side of a five-set encounter with Trevor by 15 – 13 in the fifth.
Div 1 report by David Barnes