The Southend Summer League is building to an exciting climax with three weeks to go. The main contenders, Basildon A and Rawreth, are separated by just one point and are due to meet each other in the final week of the season in what should prove to be the title decider. Currently Rawreth have the lead and interestingly their progression, and Basildon A’s, could be influenced by Basildon B who have to play both teams.
The top teams were in fine form this week handing out 9-0 thrashings to Invicta A and Hockley B alike. Basildon A were the first in action against Invicta and their team of Ian Wall, Les Hoey and Charles Yeung were in no mood to give any encouragement to their opponents. Tony Ayliffe took a set off Yeung and Malcolm Henstock and David Barnes took a set off Hoey and Yeung in the doubles but the only other game that was remotely close was the doubles between Ayliffe and Henstock and Wall and Yeung. The Wall/Yeung combination somewhat predictably took the first two sets but the Invicta pair fought back admirably winning the third set 11/7 and then edging a nerve wracking fourth set 15/13. Unfortunately for them Wall and Yeung were not to be denied and won the decider 11/8.
Rawreth’s win against Hockley B followed a similar format with their team of Andrew Halling, Debbie Auvache and Dale Gutteridge giving little away to their opponents. In the doubles Paul Strutt and Amar Al-Soufi took a set off Halling and Gutteridge and Al-Soufi and Paul Ogden did the same against Auvache and Gutteridge but it was a singles match that turned out to be the closest Ogden extending Gutteridge to five sets. Ogden had a clear advantage going 2-1 up after losing the opening set but Gutteridge fought back well to take it to a decider and clinched the match 11/8. Hockley remain winless.
Neal Barker, Todd Barker and Berti Makoli were in fine form for Hadleigh as they won 7-2 against Canvey A. Neal Barker remained unbeaten all night, Makoli won both his singles and a doubles and Todd Barker won one singles and a doubles with his Dad. Andrew Murray did best for the Islanders winning his singles against Todd Barker and then combining with Lee Mcgonagle to beat Makoli and Todd Barker in the doubles.
Hockley A moved into third place after a 7-2 win against Matchpoint A. Sanjay Saptarshi took the player of the match honours remaining unbeaten on the night and he was backed up by two singles wins for Eamonn Hall and one from Stuart Adshead. Hall had to fight hard though for his win against Debbie O’neill the match going to five sets before Hall won the decider 11/4. Stephen Heard picked up a point for Matchpoint beating Adshead and then combining with O’neill they beat Adshead and Hall in straight sets.
Team of the Week – Hadleigh A
Player of the Week – Neal Barker
