Not again! Stanford just don’t like Hockley

Champions elect Stanford B sit 14 points clear at the top of the Southend League Division 2 table with just four games to go and, whilst not impossible, it seems unlikely they will be caught. They did, however, suffer only their second defeat of the season this week going down 6-3 to Hockley C, their first defeat having come at the hands of Hockley D earlier in the season. Something tells me they will be glad to see the back of Hockley this season!

It was an excellent all round performance by the Hockley boys, Brian Bissenden, Paul Ogden and Mike Worship all winning two games but Stanford’s Rob Salvage took the POTM honours maintaining his fine record this season of just one loss so far. Five matches went the distance with Hockley winning all but the first one of the night when Salvage edged out Worship 11/9 in the decider. Bissenden completed the comeback of the night going two sets down to Adrian Armstrong but then won the crucial third 14/12 and the final two sets 11/4 11/9. Despite the win Hockley drop one place to third fifteen points behind Stanford.

Canvey B now sit second courtesy of a 7-2 defeat of Matchpoint C. Trevor Hayes led the way for Canvey with a hat trick with Des Duffield and Tony Westwell winning a brace apiece. Matchpoint had to fight hard for their two points Zach Samuels beating Westwell in five whilst Ollie Milchard, who lost to Westwell also in five, beat Duffield in four sets. The fight for second place between Canvey and Hockley could well be decided when the two teams meet each other twice in the coming weeks.

Matchpoint B returned to winning ways beating Stanford C 7-2. John Lott and Dennis Squirrell both recorded hat tricks with Richard Sloman, stepping up from their D team, picking up the other point. Martin Winter and Vaughan Chambers got the Stanford points, Chambers match against Sloman going to a lengthy five sets 11/6, 12/10, 11/13, 12/14, 13/11. Stanford are ten points clear of the bottom two sides both of whom have games in hand.

Rawreth Meggazone D won a close encounter with Runnymede edging them out 5-4.3-2 down at one stage a surge of three wins on the trot turned the match in Rawreth’s favour. Richard Kidd and Jaspreet Singh both won two games with Steve Mcquillan getting a vital point. Not surprisingly Tony Millward got another hat trick for Runnymede with Steve Wisbey getting the other win. Rawreth move above Runnymede by one point into sixth place.

Team of the Week – Hockley C

Player of the Week – Rob Salvage

Report by Paul Strutt

In Division 1the long-awaited contest between first and second in the league  (Matchpoint A and Basildon A) due to take place this week, had to be postponed due to unavailability of players. Hopefully it won’t be long before it is played.

Lowly Hadleigh Forum C had a morale-boosting 5 – 4 away win at Canvey A. Forum were able to call upon Paul Fawell and his POM maximum, together with Mark Everard’s brace, gave them a 5 – 4 victory. There were a number of five-setters in a close match. Bob Skews got two for the Islanders and Lee McGonagle and Ray Wilson chipped in with one win each.

5 – 4 was the score this week in both the other fixtures.

In another close contest, Mapledene overcame their hosts Rawreth Megazone C by this score. It was a team effort, with Mike Johnston and Dawn Baldry winning two each, and Lin Roff one. Garry Hartgrove was again Rawreth’s luminary, winning all three.  However, his efforts were not quite enough as only team mate Adi Kamma was able to add to the home side’s cause.

 

By all accounts, the match between Hadleigh Forum B and Brand Identity B was a most enjoyable affair with all six players making a contribution. Forum ran out the winners. However, they lost the first three rubbers, Brand’s Dale Gutteridge narrowly overcoming Mick Tappenden 12 – 10 in the fifth set. As fortunes flowed from one side to another, David Woolmer and Mick ended up with two wins apiece and Jim Stait got one other. Jenny Harrison was again Brand’s best player taking two victories, while Dale and Mick Grout managed one each.

Report by David Barnes

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