Monthly Archives: November 2025

County Juniors

Ocelots reap their reward

Gallery

Nomads Ocelots put out their strongest side so far this season in Division Three of the Clacton League and were rewarded with a first success of the current campaign.

The Ocelots were 8-2 winners against Holland Lancasters, Andrew Cousins, making a first appearance of the season, and Mike Wellum, continuing his excellent return to League table tennis, both staying unbeaten. Hazel Blanche picked up a singles win for the Ocelots, as did Dave Wright and Peter Evans for the Lancasters.

Brotherhood H were forced to field a guest against Nomads Leopards but trebles from Dan Grindrod and Danny Still saw them safely home to a comfortable 7-3 victory.

Bob Keefe’s impressive start to his Clacton League career continued with a hat-trick for Holland Vulcans against Windsor Magpies, plus a shared doubles success with James Horsler. Alas, it was the Windsor Magpies who prevailed 6-4, John Plummer, Dave Sweetland and Alan Rutledge all winning twice.

Nomads Lions seemingly can’t do wrong in Division One,  powering to another 10-0 victory, this time over Brotherhood B. Adam Cuthbert, Jason Lloyd and Ethan Lloyd were the winning trio.

There were hat-tricks for Greg Green and Gill Locke as Nomads Panthers defeated Windsor Hawks 8-2. Andy Vincent and Felipe Rodriguez took a point apiece for the Hawks, Vincent giving Green a fright before eventually going down 11-8 in the fifth.

There were two 10-0 results involving teams from the Brotherhood and Windsor clubs, both of which ended in favour of Brotherhood.

Brotherhood A made quick work of a Windsor Eagles’ side who were forced to field a guest player, Kevin Gowlett, Danniel Young and Gary Young staying unbeaten.

The Brotherhood C v Windsor Buzzards match was somewhat more competitive but Brotherhood’s John Cleasby, Martin Edwards and Graham Playle proved too good in the end, with only Edwards’ 11-6 in the decider win against Andy Foster going the distance.

In Division Two, three each for Mark Boyland and John Gallagher, and a couple for Mark Beckham, gave Brotherhood G a 9-1 victory over Windsor Kestrels. Peter Aumord took the Kestrels’ point with a victory over Beckham whilst Jonathan Found came nearest to getting a second, going down 11-7 in the decider to Gallagher.

The ‘G’ side are now one point ahead of club-mates Brotherhood F, 8-2 victors this week over Nomads Jaguars. Neil Chegwidden and Mark Salter both stayed unbeaten, Chegwidden needing the full five sets to beat Andy Hart 11-5 in the fifth and Chris Petrou 11-6 in the fifth. Brotherhood’s Tricia Salter enjoyed a good win over Bob Jillins.

Brotherhood D, playing with a reserve, won three of the four matches which went the distance to edge past Nomads Tigers 6-4. Kevin Pryor’s hat-trick for the winners included a nail-biting 12-10 in the decider victory over Matt Sage. Brotherhood skipper Fred Gallone picked up a couple, defeating Tom Wilkin 11-4 in the decider but losing by the same score to Sage. Sage won two for the Tigers, Wilkin and Alex Baldock one each.

Finally, Joe Sherwin continued his good form for Brotherhood J, taking an impressive hat-trick in his side’s 6-4 success over Windsor Harriers. There was one each for Lucy Carvell and Ruby Gallagher, Carvell’s 11-9 in the fifth win against Isabel Barton ultimately proving the match-winner.

* The League’s first Tournament of the season, the Drawn Doubles, takes place on Saturday 22nd November at Windsor’s St James’ Hall venue. Players should be in attendance by 9.30 am when the draw will take place.

* For details of the Windsor Club’s Quiz Evening being held on Saturday 29th November at the Brotherhood Hall, contact Jenny Higgins (Tel : 07790 240566). 

RESULTS

Division 1

Brotherhood C 10 Windsor Buzzards 0;

Nomads Panthers 8 Windsor Hawks 2;

Nomads Lions 10 Brotherhood B 0;

Windsor Eagles 0 Brotherhood A 10;

Division 2

Brotherhood D 6 Nomads Tigers 4;

Brotherhood J 6 Windsor Harriers 4;

Nomads Jaguars 2 Brotherhood F 8;

Windsor Kestrels 1 Brotherhood G 9.

Division 3

Holland Lancasters 2 Nomads Ocelots 8;

Brotherhood H 7 Nomads Leopards 3;

Windsor Magpies 6 Holland Vulcans 4.

Report by Tony Oswick

    County Juniors

    Nomads hopes blunted by Black Notley

    Gallery

    Sudbury Nomads’ potential challenge for the Braintree Table Tennis League title encountered its first hiccup last week when they were held to a draw by Black Notley A.

    Having won their first three matches, Nomads appeared to be on course to justify forecasts of a possible tilt at the title, but they found a resolute Notley side a tough nut to crack.

    Aron Jordan was unbeaten for Nomads but two each from Luke Burridge and Sam Burrows plus one from Steve Noble gave Notley a share of the points.

    The surprise was a nil evening for Karl Baldwin after a superb start to the season in which he had won eight out of nine.

    Leaders Netts A, with a reserve, dealt comfortably with their own B team 7-3.

    Rayne A came up against a top-form Neil Freeman, who remained unbeaten, but neither of his Notley B teammates could add to the scoreline.

    The most notable feature of Liberal A’s 7-3 win over their own B team was the sight of Peter Hayden’s name on the scoresheet.

    Hayden, six times men’s singles champion, has been out of action for four years waiting for a knee operation and agreed to step in as a last-minute replacement.

    A somewhat handicapped Peter Hayden turned out to be little different from a fit one. He won his three sets.

    In division two, leaders Rayne C saw off the team in second place, Netts D, with a convincing 8-2 scoreline.

    Matthew Brown and Dave Marsh were unbeaten.

    Notley’s C and D teams share third place one point behind after their wins of 9-1 over Rayne D and 7-3 against Finchingfield A respectively.

    Jamie Brooks and Lawrence Grantham were unbeaten for the C team and Jim Davy came as close as possible to joining them, missing out at 12-10 in the fifth game to Peter Rickwood.

    For the D team, Graham Chinnery and Matt Stephenson were undefeated.

    Richard Whiteside won his three singles for the third match running for Rayne E but that could not prevent his team falling short by 6-4 against Yeldham Whitlocks A.

    Report by Ron Fosker

      County Juniors

      New name at the top in Southend – Rawreth B are Premier Division leaders

      Gallery

      The big news this week is that we have a new name at the top of the Premier Division table and that is Rawreth B. Two big wins against their nearest rivals in week 7 and 8 of the season puts them now firmly in the title contender category. Whether they can stay there or not will depend on them remaining as consistent as they have been to date but currently they show no signs of letting up. In week 7 they comprehensively beat their A team 8-1 with the two Dan’s, Zeffie and Young taking a hatrick of wins and Keith Adams chipping in with two, just Chris Penrose recording any success for the A side with a 4 set win over Adams.

      Fresh from that impressive victory Rawreth B then took on the current champions Thorpe Bay A and they were similarly dispatched by the same Rawreth B players 7-2. As we know Thorpe Bay A hardly ever lose any matches so this was quite the seismic event.  Dan Young was again in great form and took his three singles with Dan Zeffie and Adams taking two apiece losing to Mark Stones and John Poysden respectively. It has been a great start to the season for Paul Brown’s side but as we know we can never write off Thorpe Bay A whose consistency over a full season is always impressive. We will watch with interest as to how the rest of the season unfolds.

      To round up the other matches from week 8, Brand Identify recording a huge 9-0 win over Stanford, Hockley A consigned Rawreth A to their second defeat in two weeks with Sanjay Saptarshi the star with his three wins

      There were also wins for Basildon A, 5-4 over a two man Invicta A side with Arun Joy taking the player of the match honours and a much needed win for Hadleigh Forum 6-3 over Rayleigh Mill despite a hatrick of wins for the Mill’s Duncan Taylor, two wins each for Martin Turner, Berti Makolli and Dave Bassett in this one.

      Report by Duncan Taylor

      This week saw Hadleigh Forum C record their first victory of the season in Division 1, overcoming fellow strugglers Basildon B 5 – 4 at home. This welcome success came courtesy of two wins each for Todd Barker and Tony Mace. Mark Everard added one more. The visitors’ Kieran Wood could have done no more, taking a hat trick and the player of the match award. Tony Molisso worked hard for only one victory, with two of his three rubbers going to five sets. His match with Mark was finally settled 11/9 in the fifth set.
      In another close contest Canvey A got the better of their visitors Mapledene by a similar 5 – 4 scoreline. Their skipper Ray Wilson was again their star, winning all his matches. Team mate Bob Skews pitched in with two successes. Victory for the home side was only settled in the very last contest of the evening when Bob narrowly overcame John Tendler in four sets. Lin Roff was Mapledene’s best player, taking two wins whilst John and Dawn Baldry collected one each.
      Hockley C came a-cropper when they entertained Rawreth C. The away side were able to close the gap in the table between themselves and their hosts to only six points, thanks to a 5 – 4 away win. Will Evesham was player of the match for Hockley with an unbeaten triple, yet still ended up on the losing side. Two wins each for Rawreth’s Adi Kamma and James Grimston, together with a single from Gary McCarthy, gave the match up to the visitors. Elliot Brackenbury got Hockley’s other score.
      This week’s 5 – 4 scoreline was continued when Wakering A took on Hadleigh Forum C. From being 4 – 1 down, visiting Forum drew level at 4 – 4 going into the last match-up. Unfortunately, though, they were up against unbeaten Callum Turner. Yet again Callum won all his matches. Martin Shaughnessy added his side’s other two wins. Anthon Ranjit-Singh won two and Michael Tappenden and Tony Jacks one each for Forum.

      Report by David Barnes

      Four games this week, four away wins, smallest margin 7-2 and, not surprisingly, the winning teams all sit in the top five positions in Division 2.

      Starting at the top league high fliers Wakering finished the week with a 7-2 win at Runnymede. This match saw the clash of two unbeaten players in Tony Millward of Runnymede and Callum Turner of Wakering but any thoughts of a closely fought encounter soon disappeared as Turner strolled to a straight set victory 11/8 11/4 11/8. Millward did win his other two games against Paul England in straight sets, and then Mick Grout 11/7 in the fifth but Runnymede stay one but bottom and Wakering take over at the top.

      Stanford C sit third in the table after a 7-2 win at Matchpoint C. This was probably made easier as the home side had to call up Tina Cook and Cooper Hill from their D team to partner regular member Samuel Morgan. Unfortunately they found the step up too tough and Stanford’s Vaughan Chambers and Randy and Jake Santiago conceded only one set against them. Morgan, however, provided stiffer opposition as he beat team Santiago before finding player of the match Chambers a step too far.

      Matchpoint B have, potentially, one of the strongest squads in this league but, surprisingly, have already lost twice this season. This week however their team of John Lott, Hannah Harbour and Colin Barham made short work of bottom of the table Basildon C winning 8-1 with only two matches going beyond four sets. Dave Walton got the consolation point for Basildon beating Barham.

      Biggest winners of the week were Hockley D who showed no mercy to their clubmates Hockley E winning 9-0. Brian Bissenden emerged as POTM dropping just one set all night, Paul Ogden and Howard Collins gave him full support albeit Collins twice found himself 2-1 down to Richard Coulon and then Amar Al-Soufi before clinching five set wins. Al-Soufi was edged out in another five set match sticking with Ogden until he conceded 11/8 in the fifth. E team captain Richard Kidd was unable to play but will surely be plotting revenge when the teams meet in the return.

      Player of the Week – Callum Turner

      Team of the Week – Hockley D

      Report by Paul Strutt

      Another week, and another big win for Invicta ‘C’, who maintained their position at the top of the leaderboard in Division 3 with an 8/1 away win at Wakering ‘C’.  Alwine Jarvis won Wakering’s only point on the night with, what she says, was her first ever win over Mike Keeble.  Steve Lennox struck a flawless maximum for Invicta to take the POTM plaudits.  Sarah Ball was also unbeaten.

      Hockley ‘F’ have emerged as Invicta’s closest rivals, and they sit in second place, just 4 points adrift, although they have played a game more.  These two teams meet in a week’s time in what promises to be a close encounter.  This week’s match saw Hockley record a 7/2 win over Canvey ‘C’.  Ross Collins recorded a perfect hat-trick, with Robert Garlick also notching a treble.  Graham Gregory added the extra. 

      A young Evolve ‘A’ side had an excellent 6/3 win away at Stanford ‘D’ and, as a result, have climbed to fourth place in the league, just 4 points behind their opponents, having played a game less.  Two wins each for the trio of Teddy Kent, Harley Dowding and Nova Narayanan, but none of them were able to get the better of Stanford’s Martin Winter.

      Hadleigh Forum ‘D’ were short of a player when they went to Hockley to take on the junior ‘G’ team, and they duly paid the price, as the home team recorded a 6/3 win.  Perry Lazell was the Player of the Match, his two wins included an excellent 4-set win over the experienced Douglas Brown.  Yohann Aupont won Hockley’s other point on the table with a hard fought, 11-9 in the 5th win against Sineh Bali.

      Report by Dave Woolmer

        County Juniors

        It’s tight in the middle – but not at the top!

        Gallery

        The second division in the Braintree Table Tennis League is turning into an unpredictable melange where everyone, it seems, is capable of beating everyone else – apart from the team at the top.

        The teams from second to tenth are separated by just nine points, while the gap between first and second has risen to 17 points.

        Results from week four show just how tight everything has become.  Four of the five matches were decided at 6-4 while the fifth was a draw.

        Even leaders Rayne C got involved in the mix, needing a win in the final set to gain a 6-4 victory over Black Notley C.

        They were grateful to Steve Buer’s three singles to see them through.

        Notley C stay in second place, equal with the club’s D team, who also lost 6-4, in their case to Sudbury Strollers, where John Colvin was once again unbeaten and newcomer Tracy Fernandes won twice.

        Netts D are one point behind after their win against Rayne E, for whom Richard Whiteside was unbeaten, although he was stretched to five games by Jimmy Calisin.

        Bottom club Finchingfield A are still feeling the absence of the injured Peter Clark, but they stretched Rayne D to 6-4 and would have snatched a draw but for Peter Rickwood and Dave Allinson’s win in the doubles at 11-9 in the fifth.

        Netts C and Yeldham Whitlocks A are floating just above them after their draw.  Roy Hooper’s defeat by Charles Calisin was only his second of the season.

        In division one leaders Netts A had no mercy on Liberal B where they took all ten, including a first maximum of the season for Joe Meleschko.

        Teams from Rayne and Sudbury squared up to each other twice.  Rayne A beat Sudbury Wanderers 9-1 while Sudbury Nomads beat Rayne B 8-2

        Karl Baldwin was unbeaten for Nomads and was the only one to beat Adi Kamma.

        The other match in the division featured a return to Notley for Netts B, who played there as Notley A last season.  This season they just failed to beat the current Notley A.  Luke Burridge’s three singles ensured a 6-4 win for the home side.

        Leaders Finchingfield B chalked up another win in division three, this time 7-3 over Notley E, who had won their previous two matches.

        In the clash between two previously unbeaten players, it was Lucien Nolan-Bradford who came out on top against the vastly experienced Dave Parker, whose unconventional style would fox many other 17-year-olds.

        Notley’s H team climbed to third with a 9-1 win over Netts E, with father and son Wayne and Harry Wilson both undefeated.

        The club’s G team also notched up a win, 6-4 over Sudbury Drifters.  New signing Ricky Moriconi picked up his first maximum.

        The other match in the division, Yeldham Whitlocks B against Netts F, ended in a draw.  No one won three or lost three but 14-year-old Tom Verrier can be pleased with a good win over the reliable Steve Willis.

        The second division in the Braintree Table Tennis League is turning into an unpredictable melange where everyone, it seems, is capable of beating everyone else – apart from the team at the top.

        The teams from second to tenth are separated by just nine points, while the gap between first and second has risen to 17 points.

        Results from week four show just how tight everything has become.  Four of the five matches were decided at 6-4 while the fifth was a draw.

        Even leaders Rayne C got involved in the mix, needing a win in the final set to gain a 6-4 victory over Black Notley C.

        They were grateful to Steve Buer’s three singles to see them through.

        Notley C stay in second place, equal with the club’s D team, who also lost 6-4, in their case to Sudbury Strollers, where John Colvin was once again unbeaten and newcomer Tracy Fernandes won twice.

        Netts D are one point behind after their win against Rayne E, for whom Richard Whiteside was unbeaten, although he was stretched to five games by Jimmy Calisin.

        Bottom club Finchingfield A are still feeling the absence of the injured Peter Clark, but they stretched Rayne D to 6-4 and would have snatched a draw but for Peter Rickwood and Dave Allinson’s win in the doubles at 11-9 in the fifth.

        Netts C and Yeldham Whitlocks A are floating just above them after their draw.  Roy Hooper’s defeat by Charles Calisin was only his second of the season.

        In division one leaders Netts A had no mercy on Liberal B where they took all ten, including a first maximum of the season for Joe Meleschko.

        Teams from Rayne and Sudbury squared up to each other twice.  Rayne A beat Sudbury Wanderers 9-1 while Sudbury Nomads beat Rayne B 8-2

        Karl Baldwin was unbeaten for Nomads and was the only one to beat Adi Kamma.

        The other match in the division featured a return to Notley for Netts B, who played there as Notley A last season.  This season they just failed to beat the current Notley A.  Luke Burridge’s three singles ensured a 6-4 win for the home side.

        Leaders Finchingfield B chalked up another win in division three, this time 7-3 over Notley E, who had won their previous two matches.

        In the clash between two previously unbeaten players, it was Lucien Nolan-Bradford who came out on top against the vastly experienced Dave Parker, whose unconventional style would fox many other 17-year-olds.

        Notley’s H team climbed to third with a 9-1 win over Netts E, with father and son Wayne and Harry Wilson both undefeated.

        The club’s G team also notched up a win, 6-4 over Sudbury Drifters.  New signing Ricky Moriconi picked up his first maximum.

        The other match in the division, Yeldham Whitlocks B against Netts F, ended in a draw.  No one won three or lost three but 14-year-old Tom Verrier can be pleased with a good win over the reliable Steve Willis.

        Report by Ron Fosker

          County Juniors

          Gallagher going strong

          Gallery

          If there was an award in the Clacton League for the most improved player in recent years, then John Gallagher of Brotherhood G would certainly be one of the leading candidates.

          Having progressed from a run-of-the-mill Third Division player only a few seasons ago, the Brotherhood G captain is now one of the most consistent and reliable players in Division Two, as evidenced by a stand-out performance this week in his side’s 8-2 success over Windsor Penguins. Gallagher remained unbeaten on the night, in the process inflicting a first defeat of the season on Kelvin Olano-Harper.

          There were a couple each for his team-mates Mark Boyland and Mark Beckham, Beckham involved in the closest match of the contest, edging past Paul Woolnough 17-15 in the fifth. Olano-Haprper’s two points for the Penguins included a victory in five over Boyland.

          The Brotherhood G victory puts them level at the top alongside Brotherhood F, 6-4 winners this week over Brotherhood D. Neil Chegwidden and Mark Salter took a couple each, and Paul Alden one, but the ‘D’ team’s Adi Kamma, making his League debut, stayed undefeated.  

          Lawford got on the winning trail at the fourth attempt, doing it in style 9-1 against Nomads Jaguars, with only four matches extended to a fourth set. Charlie Denholm and John Colvin took trebles for Lawford, Andy Hart’s win over Richard Spence the sole Jaguars’ success.

          A weakened Windsor Kestrels went down 7-3 to Windsor Harriers, Barry Allen taking his three for the Harriers and Ferdy Rodriguez two. For the Kestrels, there were a couple for Graham Bunce and one for Peter Aumord.

          In Division Three, pre-season title favourites Brotherhood H had to battle hard before overcoming Holland Vulcans 8-2, Dan Grindrod and Gary Simpson both taking hat-tricks. Grindrod edged past Bob Keefe 11-9 in decider, whilst Simpson beat both Keefe and Derek Foxley by the same 11-5 in the fifth score. Danny Still took a couple for Brotherhood but was narrowly beaten 11-9 in the decider by Keefe. 

          Nomads Leopards and Holland Hurricanes are both eyeing a top-two finish and, when they met this week, the match ended all-square. Gary Stallwood took his maximum for the Hurricanes whilst there were two apiece for Doug Green and Dominic Joannouu of the Leopards. Green and Joannou beat Stallwood and Ian Gwillim in a crucial doubles.

          A hat-trick for Peter Evans and two for Dave Wright, plus a shared doubles win, saw Holland Lancasters home 6-4 in a hard-fought match against Windsor Falcons. Matt Thomas’ couple for the Falcons included a 6-11, 12-10, 11-13, 12-10, 11-7 win over Wright.   

          Jack Hillier notched up a fine hat-trick in Brotherhood E’s 6-4 success against Walton E. The two teams shared the four matches which went the distance, Walton’s Maggie Earle involved in all four. She edged past both Tony Edmonds and Joe Hillier 11-9 in the fifth, lost 11-7 in the fifth to Jack Hillier and then, with Adrian Sexton in the doubles, went down 12-10 in the fifth against the two Hilliers. Sexton also won a couple for Walton.

          Nomads Ocelots were again forced to field a guest player and once again, despite a Mike Wellum treble, ended up in defeat, this time 6-4 at the hands of Windsor Magpies. Wellum’s closest victory was against Dave Sweetland, 11-4 in the decider.

          For the first time in many seasons, the battle at the top of Division One looks like developing into a three-horse race between Nomads Panthers, Nomads Lions and Brotherhood A.

          Kevin James, in his first appearance as a Nomads Panthers’ player, stayed unbeaten to help his side to a 10-0 victory over Windsor Buzzards. Denes Somodi and Greg Green also stayed unbeaten, Somodi’s 11-5 in the decider victory over Andy Foster the only match extended to a fifth set.

          It was also 10-0 for Brotherhood A against Walton A, Gary Young, Gracie Edwards and Kevin Gowlett the winning threesome. Edwards had a close 11-7, 7-11, 14-16, 11-7, 11-4 battle with Mark Gale, but the doubles was the closest match, Edwards and Gowlett beating Gale and Mark Ratcliffe 11-6, 10-12, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6.

          Despite dropping their first point of the season, Nomads Lions will feel content with their 9-1 victory over Windsor Hawks. Both Adam Cuthbert and Charlie Fulcher, making a first appearance this season, took trebles, but their shared doubles victory was too close for comfort, 17-15 in the fifth against Felipe Rodriguez and Andy Vincent. Adam Wilkin picked up two wins for the Lions but went down to Andy Vincent, Wilkin earning praise  from his opponent for his sportsmanship after calling an edge against himself at a crucial point of the match when neither his opponent nor the umpire had seen it.

          Windsor Eagles defeated a Brotherhood B side fielding two reserves 9-1 but the score-line fails to tell the whole story, with the Eagles winning all five matches which went to a final set. Gary Cattermole and Gavin Price with trebles, and John Pattrick with two, were the Eagles’ points-scorers. Simon Smith-Daye took Brotherhood’s sole success in the first match of the evening against Pattrick.

          Finally, three for Graham Playle, two for John Cleasby and one for Dave Miller saw Brotherhood C home 7-3 against Walton B. Pete Burrows got two points for Walton and Paul Newbould, with an 11-6 in the fifth win over Miller, their third. 

          * The closing date for the League’s first Tournament of the season, the Drawn Doubles, is Friday 7th November. The Tournament takes place on Saturday 22nd November at Windsor’s St James’ Hall venue.

          * The Windsor Club’s Quiz Evening is being held on Saturday 29th November at the Brotherhood Hall. For more information or to enter a team, contact Jenny Higgins (Tel : 07790 240566). Once again, see the League’s website for full details.

          RESULTS

          Division 1

          Windsor Hawks 1 Nomads Lions 9;

          Windsor Buzzards 0 Nomads Panthers 10;

          Brotherhood A 10 Walton A 0;

          Brotherhood B 1 Windsor Eagles 9;

          Walton B 3 Brotherhood C 7.

          Division 2

          Windsor Harriers 7 Windsor Kestrels 3;

          Brotherhood G 8 Windsor Penguins 2;

          Lawford 9 Nomads Jaguars 1;

          Brotherhood F 6 Brotherhood D 4.

          Division 3

          Windsor Falcons 4 Holland Lancasters 6;

          Nomads Ocelots 4 Windsor Magpies 6;

          Walton C 4 Brotherhood E 6;

          Holland Vulcans 2 Brotherhood H 8;

          Nomads Leopards 5 Holland Hurricanes 5.

          Report by Tony Oswick

          John Gallagher – Brotherhood G