In the mid table clash between Rawreth Meggazone D and Hockley D Hannah Harbour turned in a POTM performance leading her team to a 7-2 victory, and pushing Hockley into fifth place in Division 2 of the Southend League above Rawreth in sixth. She completed a perfect hat trick and teammates John George and Elliot Brackenbury both weighed in with a brace each. Jonathan Allen actually started the evening with a win for Rawreth defeating George in four sets but a second win didn’t come until game seven when Amar Al-Soufi completed a remarkable comeback win against Brackenbury. He lost the first set 11-0, went 2-1 down, but then won a crucial fourth set 12/10 before clinching the decider 11/5. Earlier he had been two sets down to George but lost the fifth set decider.
Canvey B started the new year with a bang whitewashing Stanford C 9-0 and only dropping three sets in the process. Terry Giddens and Trevor Hayes both recorded perfect hat tricks and Des Duffield completed the rout but did drop a set to Chris Crooks and had to come back from 2-1 down against Vaughan Chambers before winning in five. The win pushes Canvey up into third place above Matchpoint B and level on points with Hockley C who have a game in hand, albeit against Canvey.
Rob Salvage continued his fine form this season with another hat trick as leaders Stanford B beat Runnymede 6-3. This included a fine win against Tony Millward who, like Salvage, had only lost one game this season, coming through in four sets. Support for Salvage came in the form of Mark Downey with two wins and John Handscombe with one. Tina Hutchinson had an eventful night for Runnymede pushing Salvage to five sets before conceding and then overcoming Handscombe in five sets, coming back from 2-1 down before winning the deciding set 12/10. Millward won his other two games.
Hockley C moved up to second place with a hard fought 6-3 win against bottom of the table Matchpoint B. The score were level after six games but three consecutive wins has helped Hockley maintain their promotion push. Mike Worship was the man in form for Hockley winning all his games with Tony Molisso recording a brace and Neal Klyman winning a very important eighth game in five sets against Zach Samuels. He fought back from 2-1 down to win the last two sets 11/3 11/5. Ollie Milchard chalked up two wins for Matchpoint with Alwine Jarvis grabbing the other point.
Player of the Week – Hannah Harbour
Team of the Week – Canvey B
Report by Paul Strutt
Well, it had to happen sometime, and finally, Division 3 league leaders Basildon B have surrendered their unbeaten record. Stanford D were their conquerors and 7/2 was the scoreline. Stanford skipper, Randy Santiago, was the hat-trick hero for Stanford, with his teammates, Jake Santiago and Andrew Jessop, adding a brace each. Andy Roff recorded two wins for Basildon and came close to beating Randy. Having established a two-set lead he fell just short, as Randy recovered to take the last three sets 12/10, 11/8, 11/8.
Second placed Invicta C took full advantage of their rival’s defeat with a near perfect 8/1 win over Hockley F. James Evesham scored the only point for Hockley and prevented the whitewash, with a straight sets win over David Barlow in the final game. Andrew St John and Keith Baxter both unbeaten on the night for Invicta.
Rawreth Meggazone E could only muster two players for their trip to Hullbridge to take on Matchpoint D. Graham Back (2) and Ro Brett (1) were on the scoresheet for Rawreth but it was Matchpoint who emerged as 6/3 winners. Richard Sloman won both his games to take the POM award and there was a notable win for Cooper Hill over the experienced Ro Brett. Having fallen two sets behind, Cooper rallied brilliantly to win the final three sets 11/8, 11/8, 14/12. Well played young man!
Finally, this week, Hadleigh Forum D were 6/3 winners over Hockley E and remain in third place in the table. Douglas Brown turned in an unbeaten performance, well supported by Sineh Ball with two wins and Ivan Arabadzhiev with a single win. Ron Rogerson, with a couple of wins, was the best on the night for Hockley.
Report by Dave Woolmer
At the Christmas and New Year break, Matchpoint A stand at the top of the Division 1 table. However, their lead over rivals Basildon A is only a slender five points, with Basildon having played one fewer match. At the other end of the table both Hadleigh Forum C and Wakering are a little adrift of their peers.
Harry Sawford was Player of the Match for Matchpoint’s 6 – 3 win over visitors Hadleigh Forum B. Alexander Deacon chipped in with two wins and Daniel Stewart got the other. Veteran Tony Jacks was Forum’s best performer taking two scalps, with David Woolmer collecting one win.
A surprising (and much needed) victory by Wakering away at Canvey A was masterminded by POM Andy Dedman’s hat trick. Paul England was also undefeated and Stewart Mills added one victory, as Wakering romped to a 7 – 2 win. Lee McGonagle and Joanne Hills each won one for the Islanders.
Rawreth Megazone C were too strong for visitors Brand Identity B, coming out 6 – 3 victors. Garry Hartgrove was their main man, being undefeated, a feat matched by his teammate Paul Brown. Brand’s team (of Mick Grout, Jenny Harrison and Dale Gutteridge) each recorded one win.
Hadleigh Forum C entertained Mapledene, but we’re a little too generous hosts. Visiting Dawn Baldry came away with the POM award for an unbeaten display, whist Lin Roff added two, and Charles Yeung one in a 6 – 3 away win. Paul Fawell had two successes and Mark Everard one for the home side.
Report by David Barnes