The big news of the week in Southend Division 3 was the first win of the season by the junior Hockley F side.  George Higgins led the way with a hard-fought maximum, well supported by James Evesham and Amelia Taylor, who achieved her first win of the season.  Indeed, it was Taylor who finally secured the 5/4 win over Canvey C.  With the match score locked at 4/4, she held her nerve to overcome David Coverley in 4 sets to get her team over the line.  Well done Hockley!

Elsewhere, league leaders, Basildon B, maintained their unbeaten run courtesy of a narrow 5/4 win away at Matchpoint B.  Richard Sloman was unbeaten for the hosts and Jeff Gritzman added the extra point, but Basildon prevailed with two wins each for Richard Riebold and Anton Kudynuik, and a single win for Michael Elemide.

Second placed, Invicta C, closed the gap at the top to 12 points following their 7/2 win over Hadleigh Forum D.  Trisha Winter was the POM here with a straight sets maximum.  Skipper Keith Baxter was also unbeaten on the night and David Youngman added the extra.

Hockley E have moved into third place after a 7/2 win over Evolve, with a hat-trick from Gary Beck and two wins each for Keith Denyer and George Clark.  Miles Bygrave was the best player on the night for Evolve, with two wins to his name.

Brand Identity’s Adam Jackman’s return from Southend Premier League duties has again upset the Division 1 equilibrium. This week his team were away at leaders Basildon A. Jackman 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 Joy 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 Ward by 15 – 13 in the fifth.