The match between Netts A and Rayne A is not the season-defining fixture in the Braintree Table Tennis League that it has sometimes been in the past, but their latest clash was not without significance.

It brought to an end the league champions’ run of victories since the start of the season as Rayne managed to hold them to a draw.

It was Andy Holmes who Netts had to thank for sustaining their unbeaten record.  He won his three sets and took the doubles with Joe Meleschko.

Netts are still well clear at the top but Sudbury Nomads crept two points closer with a 7-3 win over Netts B, with Aron Jordan unbeaten.

Rayne A share third place with Liberal A, who were beaten by the same score by Black Notley B, the latter’s first win of the season.

Steve Kerns was unbeaten for Notley, a win over Adam Cuthbert suggesting that something of his former self is re-emerging.

The win enabled Notley B to step away from the bottom rung for the first time this season at the expense of Liberal B, who lost 6-4 to Rayne B.

Adi Kamma won his three singles for Rayne B.

In division two, leaders Rayne C ended Finchingfield A’s four-match unbeaten run with a convincing 8-2 win.

Paul Wellington had his best night of the season, joining Matthew Brown in the unbeaten category.

Netts C and Notley C, two contenders for the runners-up spot, shared the points.

Yeldham Whitlocks A had a surprisingly comfortable 9-1 win over the higher-placed Notley D, with both Roy Hooper and Doug Sanders unbeaten, while Rayne E climbed off the bottom after beating their own D team 6-4.

Conrad Gomes, once more called up from division three, played his part with two singles and the doubles with Richard Whiteside, who was unbeaten

In division three, leaders Notley E took all ten points from a two-person Yeldham B, while main rivals Finchingfield B took eight from Sudbury Drifters.

The latter match meant a contest between the division’s two unbeaten players, Lucien Nolan-Bradford and Graham Turner, which went Nolan-Bradford’s way 6-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-7.

Rayne F lost ground when they were only able to field two players and went down 6-4 to Notley F.  Conrad Gomes did all he could by taking his three singles and the doubles with Alastair Brown.

Netts F’s James Howard and Tom Verrier took all seven in their team’s 7-3 win over Notley H.

Netts E played twice in three days but are still searching for that elusive first win.  They lost 7-3 to Notley G and 8-2 to Rayne G.

Report by Ron Fosker

This week in the Southend Premier Division saw the Thorpe Bay Derby and as you might predict it was the A side that came out on top. That said, Thorpe Bay B came with a strong side determined to test their club mates. Paul Sayer was in great form winning his three games against Matt Spero, Kieran Skeggs and Justin Jeffery, Ian Wall chipped in with two wins and Mark Stones picked up his win against Jeffery, resulting in a 6-3 win for our current league leaders.

Rawreth B kept up the pressure on Thorpe Bay by themselves recording an 8-1 away won at Basildon A. Gary Young with the player of the match honours, a maximum for Arron Chandler and two wins for Kim Shead who missed out on his three courtesy of a good win for Robbie Burton.

Two straight forward wins for Rayleigh Mill and Rawreth A this week as they overcame Stanford A and Hadleigh Forum A 8-1 and 9-0 respectively. George Reeves picked up the player of the match award for Rawreth while Liam Squirrell did the same for the Millers. There was a great win for young Vivaan Babbar over Colin Chatfield and along with his team mate Joshua Freeman, Babbar showed why the future is very bright for Stanford and Essex table tennis. Some outstanding shot making and temperament shown from the Stanford youngsters.

Report by Duncan Taylor

In Division 1 Stanford Le Hope B had a fine 6 – 3 win over visiting Hadleigh Forum B to give themselves a good chance of staying in the division. Rob Salvage was again their hero, winning all his matches, and taking the POM prize. Team mate John Handscombe took two more wins, and Adrian Armstrong one. Anthon Ranjit-Singh was Forum’s stand-out player winning two encounters, including a five-set marathon against Adrian. Mick Tappenden got Forum’s other victory.
Joe Odegbami and Dave Colwill were again in top form for Hockley B as they entertained Basildon B. Both recorded maximums in a 7 – 2 mauling of their visitors. Basildon’s Peter Hilton and Tony Molisso each managed one win.
Rawreth C were too strong for hosts Wakering A. In particular, Trevor Collin was in fine form, easily succeeding in all his games. The home side’s Martin Shaughnessy recorded a fine victory over Paul Brown in an epic struggle that was eventually decided 11 – 9 in the fifth set. His colleague Barbara Chabior had a similar five-set struggle to overcome Rawreth’s Colin Clements, and Paul England also had one win. However, these were the home sides only successes as Rawreth cruised to a 6 – 3 victory.  
Lowly Hadleigh Forum C hosted Mapledene and, once again, were a little too generous with their hospitality, conceding 8 – 1. There were hat tricks for both Andy Seaman and POM Lin Roff. Mark Everard got the home team’s only win, beating Dawn Baldry in four sets.

Report by David Barnes

The big guns were firing on all cylinders in Division 2 this week with Wakering B and Canvey B both recording 9-0 victories which leave them first and second in the table. There seems to be little that can stop Wakering lifting the title but the race is still on for second place. Canvey sit there at the moment but Matchpoint C and Hockley D are still very much in contention.

Hockley D would have been hoping that their team mates in their E team might have taken a few points off Wakering but it wasn’t to be as the leaders cruised to their fifth 9-0 win of the season. Callum Turner, Mike Grout and Paul England returned their usual maximums Turner without losing a set. Richard Kidd did best for Hockley taking Grout to five sets in the last game of the evening but succumbing after leading 2-1.

Canvey B were in even more devastating form as they only lost two sets all night as they demolished Matchpoint C 9-0. Trevor Hayes, Kevin Walsingham and Des Duffield made up the winning team with Hayes securing a perfect hat trick. Roger Sherman took a set off Duffield and Walsingham for Matchpoint. Despite only having won one match this season they do sit two places off the bottom four points clear of Hockley E.

Runnymede continued their remarkable run of form collecting their sixth successive win against Stanford C beating them 6-3 which maintains their sixth position in the league and cuts the gap between them and Stanford, in fifth place, to six points. Needless to say Tony Millward picked up another perfect hat trick with Steve McQuillan recording a brace and Steve Wisbey the other.  Stanford’s points came courtesy of a brace for Vaughan Chambers and one for Mike Trendell. Peter Moxham almost added another but after leading McQuillan 2-0 he succumbed to a five set defeat.

Invicta B against Hockley D turned out to be the closest match of the week with Hockley clinching the match 5-4 in the final game of the evening. Paul Strutt and Brian Bissenden both got two wins for Hockley with Paul Ogden getting the fifth but the star of the night was Invicta’s Andrew St. John who recorded his first hat trick of the season. His toughest match came against Bissenden where he was two sets down before fighting back to win in five. John Blackman got Invicta’s other point.

Team of the Week – Runnymede

Player of the Week – Andrew St. John

Report by PaulStrutt

As we approach the business end of the season, Invicta ‘C’ head the table by 30 points and seem destined to be crowned champions once the final ball is struck.

This week, their opponents were a young Evolve ‘B’ side who, as hard as they tried, had no answer to the greater experience and know how of the league leaders, as they fell to a 9/0 defeat.  Harry Venables was the POTM here for his perfect maximum, with teammates Mike Keeble and David Barlow also unbeaten.

Hockley ‘F’ remain in second place, a position they have occupied for most of the season. Matchpoint ‘B’ were their visitors this week and, with Ross Collins and Gary Beck recording maximums for Hockley, and Graham Gregory adding a double, it was an 8/1 win for the home team.  Matchpoint’s only point on the night came from Cooper Hill, who battled his way to a 5-set victory over Graham.

The match between two mid-table sides, Wakering ‘C’ and Canvey ‘C’ was a much closer affair, ending in a 5/4 victory for the Islanders.  Alternate games were won by each team, until, with the scores level at 4/4, Canvey’s Chong Shing Lam completed his hat-trick with a win over Alwine Jarvis to get his side over the line.  Scott Giddens and Ray Baker both added a point for Canvey, while for Wakering, there were two wins each for Alwine and Nigel Strike.

Stanford ‘D’ have climbed to third place in the table after a 7/2 win over the Hockley ‘G’ juniors.  The ever consistent Martin Winter led the way for them with a 9-set maximum, and he was well-supported by Karen Kempster and Andrew Jessop who both added a double, each losing only to Hockley’s best player on the night, Kris Chankov.  

Report by Dave Woolmer

Lots of ups and downs in the Burnham & District Table Tennis Winter League this week, as Division 1 and 3 leaders extend their points margin, whilst in Division 2 leaders Maldon A suffer a rare and humiliating defeat.  But the story of the week must be Cold Norton D in Division 2 – up until now the only winless team across the whole league – who, out of nowhere, lay down an amazing 9-1 victory over a very tough opponent – sport at its finest. 

Cold Norton B have maintained their drive to retain the League crown over the Xmas period, and this week came through a tricky tie with the in form Mapledene B.  The final score was 7-3, but Mapledene were a player down and the scores could have been a lot closer had they been fully loaded.  On the night Cold Norton’s hitman Ian Wall was in fine fettle and didn’t drop a match all evening.  Mapledene’s Kieran Skeggs picked up 2 wins including a very notable victory over Sam Lowman.  Fambridge continue to stay in touch with the league leaders and are now the only credible threat.  This week they triumphed over a young and zestful Woodham A side with a stand-out win for the stoic Mark Stones over the recently crowned Chelmsford Singles champion Dan Young.  That epic win was enough to give Stones a hat-trick and a very deserved player of the match accolade.  Stones was ably supported by Paul Sayer with 2 wins and Bruce Kettle with a single point – a classic ‘Dusty Bin’ 3-2-1 combo.  For Woodham, Young won his other matches and Dan Zeffie came through a tough 5 setter with Kettle, clinching it 12-10 at the death.  To complete the scoring Woodham took the doubles for an overall 6-4 win for Fambridge.  Mapledene A outblasted Cold Norton A with a 7-3 victorious scoreline.  Liam Squirrell remains the ‘man to beat’, but none of the Nortonians came close as Squirrell added to his impressive win rate tally to remain at the top of the singles chart with just one loss all season.  Steve Muth added 2 points to the Mapledene tally and George Reeves chipped in with a very tight win over the tricky Kim Shead – going all the way to 14-12 in the decider.  Norton’s Matt Stringer showed some metal coming from behind in both his 5 set victories over Muth and Reeves.

Division 2 leaders Maldon A were dealt a low blow this week when they were roundly embarrassed by their own C team in a Maldon derby that could yet sway the destination of this years title.  For the C team both Dawn Baldry and Marty Englander hit spectacular hat-tricks, with Chris Ravenhill chipping in with a 5 set point over Ross Kirby, and the doubles with Englander.  Despite the final score the matches were all close with none being settled in straight sets and half of the matches going to 5 sets – of which the C team won 4!  Luckily for Maldon A their nearest rivals were doing battle this week and Mapledene C came away with a very tight 6-4 win over Blackwater A where a 5 set doubles victory was enough to separate the peloton pushers.  Another game with a plethora of 5 setters – including Tony Ayliffe hanging on for dear life against the defending talents of Denis Balic that saw Ayliffe take a hat-trick and secure the victory in the final match of the evening.  Lin Roff had a good evening with wins over Noah Sage and Neil Freeman, and she partnered up with Ayliffe for that all important doubles point.  The shock of the week was winless Cold Norton D discovering a bucketload of gumption and from nowhere destroying the regular Stow Maries B team – before the opening ping of the night Paddy Power had Cold Norton as 6/1 outsiders in a two horse race!  What a performance.  Hat-tricks for the crafty Peter Lucraft, and Dick Wyman playing up from the E team, and 2 wins for regular Terry Hyland gave the previously hapless D team a 9-1 victory.  Cold Norton D were the only winless team up until this moment across the whole league – new team supremo Michael Carrick is how hoping they will finish in the promotion places.  In the final match of the week Woodham C condemned Maldon B to bottom place with a steady 8-2 win.  For Woodham there were hat-tricks for Tim Pulham and Scott Perry – with Pulham throwing a nine dart finish, and only dropping one leg in the doubles which he blamed on partner Alan Dadswell anyways.

It remains all about Blackwater C in Division 3 as they steam towards the title – another 10 points this week as they whitewashed their own E team.  Relatively straightforward hat-tricks all round for the impressive trio of Gary Smith, Peter Davenport and Tina Hutchinson.  This win gives them a 43 point gap to the nearest rivals – I reckon they’ll be ok.  Maldon D had a good week as they came out of the traps strong in their encounter with Blackwater F this week.  At 9-0 it looked like a whitewash was a certainty.  In the final match Shirley Carroll went 2-0 up against David McHattie, but as her colleagues started to gather their possessions ready to leave McHattie came alive and rattled off the next 3 legs for an unexpected whitewash avoiding victory – great effort.  Hat-tricks for both James Raymond and Luca Riedling.

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Eamonn Hall, Press Officer

Burnham & District Table Tennis League

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Pic 1 – Bruce Kettle clinching a point for Fambridge this week.

Pic 2 – Peter Davenport with a hat-trick for runaway Div 3 leaders Blackwater C.

Pic 3 – Ian Wall starring for leaders Cold Norton B

Pic 4 – Tim Pulham completing his hat-trick for Woodham C against Garry Eames

Pic 5 – Scott Perry skipping his way to a hat-trick for Woodham C

Report by Eamonn Hall

As a result of the final Group stage matches of the Handicap Cup Competition organised by the Clacton and District League, the last sixteen teams will comprise seven from Division One, six from Division Two and three – Holland Hurricanes, Nomads Leopards and Windsor Falcons – from Division Three.

After two convincing wins in Group C, the Hurricanes ended their programme with a 7-2 defeat at the hands of Holland Lancasters. They still finish top but, eventually, by just a single point. For the Lancasters’ trio of Peter Evans, Dave Wright and Tony Aresti, it was a case of ‘what-might-have been’ had they not had to concede their opening match against Nomads Ocelots and therefore forfeit the nine points. In the end, they finished bottom of the table but a mere three points behind the Hurricanes.

And so the Ocelots of Division Three and Second Division Brotherhood G were left  to fight it out for the second qualifying spot, with Brotherhood requiring seven points or more to get through. And they did it by the skin of their teeth, winning 7-2, but having to win the three matches which went the distance to do so. Paul Metcalf (-5) beat Andrews Cousins (+1) 11-7, 2-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-7, John Gallagher (-1) beat Mike Wellum (+1) 8-11, 12-10, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9, and, in the very last match of the evening, Gallagher and Mark Boyland (-6) scraped past Wellum and Cousins (+1) 1-11, 12-10, 12-14, 11-6, 11-7.

Group C certainly proved to be the closest of all the eight Groups, with just three points separating the four teams – the Hurricanes (on 15 points), Brotherhood G (14 points), the Ocelots (13 points) and the Lancasters (12 points).

The Leopards did well to win all three of their matches and finish top of Group E, looking particularly impressive in defeating top-flight Brotherhood B 5-4 in their third match, Doug Green, Dominic Joannou and Anne Bonny winning all three doubles. Brotherhood, whose points came from two singles wins apiece from Simon-Smith Daye and Russell Hillier, qualify in second place. 

The second Group result was therefore academic but it ended 9-0 for Holland Vulcans against Windsor Magpies, Bob Keefe, Derek Foxley and James Horsler unbeaten. 

The Falcons were the third team from Division Three to qualify, finishing as runners-up in Group A, a Group which had hitherto been one of the tightest of the Groups but which ended with two whitewash score-lines.

In a winner-takes-all encounter, the Falcons produced a stellar performance against top-flight Walton B, Matt Thomas, Gary Barnes and Nigel Rolph taking full advantage of their handicap advantage to run out 9-0 winners.

The result left Nomads Panthers needing at least seven points from their final match to qualify alongside the Falcons, but they failed to secure a single against Brotherhood F who made it three Cup wins in a row with a convincing 9-0 victory. Mark Salter, Paul Alden and Tricia Salter were once again the victorious trio.

There were rather more dramatic happenings in Group F where another Third Division side, Brotherhood E, came close to qualifying, all coming about when Cup favourites Brotherhood A, due to an unfortunate misunderstanding, failed to arrive for their match with Walton A. Walton, reluctantly, claimed the match 9-0, points which were sufficient to leave them as Group leaders.

Although it still left Brotherhood A in pole position to qualify after two previous 7-2 wins, Brotherhood E could still make it through ahead of their ‘A’ team if they beat Lawford by an unlikely 8-1. Despite a tremendous effort, they could only manage a 7-2 victory, Jack Hillier and Rodney Betts outstanding to remain unbeaten. It meant they finished level on fourteen points with Brotherhood A but the ‘A’ team qualified having won the individual match between the two teams.

Elsewhere, Brotherhood D had already qualified from Group B so it was down to the final match between Nomads Tigers and Windsor Buzzards to determine who would join them. After a tightly-contested encounter, it was the Tigers who edged it 5-4, Sam Watling their most successful player, winning one singles and his two doubles, both of which went the distance.

In Group D, Windsor Hawks edged past Windsor Eagles 5-4, the points for each side sufficient to ensure both teams qualified for the next Round. John Barton was the Hawks’ best player, winning both singles and one doubles, while the Eagles’ Gavin Price took one singles and was successful in both doubles. The closest matches were the first and last doubles of the evening, the Eagles winning them both, Price and Phil Smith (-3) beating Barton and Scott Campbell (+1) 11-8 in the decider, while Price and John Pattrick defeated Campbell and Andy Vincent 11-6 in the decider in a scratch-match.

The result meant that Windsor Penguins needed a whitewash victory over Windsor Kestrels if they were to qualify but their eventual 6-3 victory against a two-player Kestrels’ side was not enough and so both these Second Division sides bowed out of the competition.

In the first of the three-team Groups, Nomads Jaguars of Division Two beat First Division Brotherhood C 5-4 in Group G, Bob Jillins taking one singles and both his doubles. But it was insufficient to see them to a top two place, Brotherhood C qualifying alongside Windsor Harriers.

Both Brotherhood J and Nomads Lions had already qualified before their final Group H match against each other. For the record, it ended in a 7-2 victory for Brotherhood, Joe Sherwin and Joe Bryden unbeaten in both singles and doubles.

* Round One of the Knock-Out stage takes place during week commencing 9th February. Details about the draw and players’ grades will be sent to those teams remaining in the competition by Saturday 31st January at the latest.

* There are just a handful of places left for the League’s Handicapped Singles Tournament which takes place on Saturday 7th February at St James’ Hall. Any interested players should contact League Secretary Isabel Barton.

* The League is holding a Quiz Evening on Saturday 7th March at the Brotherhood Hall. It starts at 7.30 pm, for teams of up to six people. The cost is £5.00 per person, bring your own drinks and nibbles. For more information, or to enter a team, telephone Ferdy Rodriguez on 07565 767266 or 01255 830951, or e-mail Ferdy on fernando.rodriguez@sky.com

RESULTS : HANDICAP CUP

Group A

Nomads Panthers 0 Brotherhood F 9;

Windsor Falcons 9 Walton B 0.

Group B

Brotherhood H 0 Brotherhood D 9 (w/o);

Nomads Tigers 5 Windsor Buzzards 4.

Group C

Holland Hurricanes 2 Holland Lancasters 7;

Brotherhood G 7 Nomads Ocelots 2.

Group D

Windsor Kestrels 3 Windsor Penguins 6;

Windsor Hawks 5 Windsor Eagles 4.

Group E

Holland Vulcans 9 Windsor Magpies 0;

Nomads Leopards 5 Brotherhood B 4.

Group F

Walton A 9 Brotherhood A 0 (w/o);

Brotherhood E 7 Lawford 2.

Group G

Nomads Jaguars 5 Brotherhood C 4.

Group H

Brotherhood J 7 Nomads Lions 2.

Report by Tony Oswick

There was an up and down flavour to the first round of matches in the Braintree Table Tennis League handicap cup with most clubs winning and losing in almost equal measure.

The Black Notley club won three ties and lost four, Rayne had one win and four defeats, Netts had two up and two down while Yeldham won one and lost one.

The exceptions were Finchingfield and Sudbury who both had two wins out of two.

Finchingfield A were the only team not to drop a set.  They declared at 7-0 against Rayne G, taking all but the first two sets in straight games.

It was a much tighter affair for their B team, who had a close battle with Notley E, their rivals for the league division three title, before a win in the final set gave them a 5-4 victory.

Ray Bradford was for once not overshadowed by his son Lucien, winning his three sets compared with two for Lucien.

Ray made use of his three points start against Ken Wilding for an apparently comfortable 16-21, 21-8, 21-11 win while Lucien was unable to make up the six points he had to concede.

Sudbury Drifters eased through with an 8-1 win over Notley C.  Terry Hunneybel and Geoff Barrett were unbeaten but Matt Brooks (+3) became the first person this season to beat Graham Turner.

David Fiddeman on the other hand carried his league form into the cup and remained unbeaten in Sudbury Strollers’ 6-3 win over Notley D.

The fourth Notley side to depart were the A team but they had the consolation of losing to their own H team.

It was a good night for Ann Peart, one of the league’s unsung players, who won twice for the H team and only bowed out at 24-22 in the third game in her other set.

BNCA H will be joined in the next round by the club’s G and F teams, who beat Rayne F 5-4 and Rayne G 5-0 respectively.

Barbara Turner, another player who rarely makes headlines, was unbeaten for the G team.

The Yeldham club had two matches against Rayne teams. The A team went down 5-4 to Rayne E but the B team made sure the club were represented in the next round with a 5-2 win over Rayne C.

Ethan Collins was unbeaten for Rayne E while Richard Taylor won two out of two for Yeldham B.

The four Netts teams came up against each other, C beating D 8-1 and F beating E 6-3.

Chris Krelle and David Montgomery were unbeaten for the C team and James Howard likewise for the T team.

Report by Ron Fosker

Thorpe Bay A cemented their place at the top of the Premier division with a thumping 9-0 win over Stanford A who were without their talisman Mitchell Jones. Rawreth B kept up the pressure on Thorpe Bay A by recording an 8-1 win of their own against Hockley A with Keith Adams and recently crowned Chelmsford league champ, Dan Young going undefeated. Hockley picked up their point with a good win for Joseph Odegbami over Kim Shead.

There was a ding dong battle between Thorpe Bay B and Rawreth A this week with the Rawreth side just coming out on top in a 5-4 win. Despite winning the match none of the Rawreth trio could get the better of the player of the match Kieran Skeggs.

Rayleigh Mill stumbled this week and went down 7-2 to Brand Identity. Ben Warner picking up two wins against Steve Muth and Simon Jacob but could not get the better of Richard Jackman who recorded an impressive hatrick against the Millers.

And in the final game of the week Invicta recorded a much needed 8-1 victory over Matchpoint A. Matchpoint started the evening well with a good win for Alex Deacon over Tony Ayliffe but this is as good as it got for them as they went down 8-1 with Paul Sims and Steve Marr both coming away with maximum wins.

Report by Duncan Taylor

Hadleigh Forum B may be a little off the pace in fourth place in the division. However, when it comes to friendliness and hospitality, they are miles ahead of everyone else. This week their visitors Canvey A were treated (as are all visiting teams) to tea and chocolate biscuits and, since everyone knew each other and had been rivals over many seasons, the match was played in a great spirit. In fact, Forum’s hospitality went a little too far, with them succumbing to Canvey 5 – 4. In a match with many close-fought encounters, Bob Skews was unbeaten and took the Player of the Match prize.
Rawreth C put out a strong side when Stanford Le Hope B called on them. Paul Brown was unbeaten and yet again their star, although Trevor Collin was also unbeaten. Dave Hancox overcame the home side’s Colin Clements for Stanford’s only victory in an 8 – 1 drubbing by Rawreth. 
Leaders Hockley B easily overcame luckless Hadleigh Forum C in a 9 – 0 whitewash. It was a one-sided affair with Hockley’s Joe Odegbami, Keith Abbott and David Colwill all undefeated. 
The dominance of the two Hockley clubs in this division was underlined by their second-placed C team recording an emphatic 8 – 1 away win at lowly Basildon B. Mind you, the home side could be forgiven for thinking their chances were looking good as, in the first contest of the evening, their Stephen Walters overcame Tim Pang in five sets. Unfortunately, though, it was all downhill from there on. Elliot Brackenbury and James Evesham both recoded hat tricks and Tim won his other two rubbers.

Report by David Barnes

No doubt about the game of the week in Division 2 which saw Stanford C lock horns with Hockley E. Mid table Stanford would have been favourites to win this against relegation threatened Hockley and, in the end, they did 6-3, but only after a marathon contest. No less than seven of the nine games went to five sets which is the most I can remember in all the years I’ve been reporting. Randy Santiago was the Player of the Match with a maximum but all three of his wins went the distance as did Jake Santiago’s two wins. Chris Crooks provided the other point. For Hockley Richard Kidd claimed two wins including a superb comeback from two sets down against Crooks and Richard Coulon got the other point for Hockley. All his games, like Randy Santiago’s, went to five sets.

Closest match of the week and the biggest surprise was the clash between Canvey B and Runnymede. Bar week one Canvey have been in the top four all season whereas Runnymede had been in the bottom three  until a recent run of four wins has seen them rise to sixth position. That run continued as they edged a nip and tuck game 5-4 Tony Millward beating Trevor Hayes to clinch the match in the final game of the evening. That win completed Millward’s hat trick and a win each from Wisbey and Barrie Edgar completed the win. Des Duffield  and Trevor Hayes got two wins each for Canvey.

This surprise defeat left the door open for Hockley D to narrow the gap between them and they did it in style beating Basildon C 9-0. It wasn’t entirely straightforward as Victor Galben took both Paul Strutt and Brian Bissenden to five sets and four other matches went to four. Paul Ogden made up the winning trio and took the Player of the Match award.

It was business as usual for Wakering B as they also ran out 9-0 winners against Invicta B and now sit 15 points clear of Canvey at the top of the league. The bookmakers have stopped taking bets on where they might finish! Regulars Callum Turner, Michael Grout and Paul England took the honours.

Team of the Week – Runnymede

Player of the Week – Randy Santiago

Report by Paul Strutt

Four matches this week in Division 3 and all resulted in convincing home wins for the home teams.

Longtime League leaders Invicta ‘C’ kicked things off at the start of the week with a 9/0 whitewash over Hadleigh Forum ‘D’.  Sarah Ball was the POTM here with a perfect maximum, well supported by her wingmen, Harry Venables and Steve Lennox. For Hadleigh, Douglas Brown took Harry and Steve deep into deciding sets, before eventually succumbing, but that was as good as it got for his team.

Invicta now lead the table by 29 points and seem destined to be crowned champions come the end of the season.  Second placed Hockley ‘F’ have a game in hand, but seemingly have too much ground to make up.

The other three matches all ended up as 7/2 wins for the hosts.

Canvey ‘B’ welcomed the youngsters of Evolve ‘B’ to their Island home, but despite a couple of good wins for Jonah Omigie, the home side, led by an unbeaten Scott Giddens, prevailed.  Steve was backed up by teammates Andy O’Rawe and John Saunders, who both recorded two wins.  After the match, the Canvey captain, Ray Baker, was fulsome in his praise for the young players from Evolve.  He remarked on how polite they were and that they were a credit to their parents and their club.

Deepak Nanda is enjoying a good first season in our league and his second, successive hat-trick for Wakering ‘C’ was the basis of his side’s win over Hockley ‘F’.  Joanna Gaudini, also new to the league, added two wins, as did Alwine Jarvis.  Ross Collins provided the main resistance for Hockley, with a double.

Evolve ‘A’ are making a strong bid for a top two finish, and now lie in third place, only four points behind Hockley ‘F’.  This follows a good win over Matchpoint ‘D’.  Teddy Kent led the way for them with an unbeaten performance, winning all his games in straight sets, without conceding more than 6 points in any of them.  Harley Dowding and Edward Feeley contributed two wins each, but both lost out to Matchpoint’s David McHattie.

Report by David Woolmer

Of all the eight Groups in the Handicap Cup Competition organised by the Clacton and District League, Group A is proving the closest, with all four teams – Division One sides Nomads Panthers and Walton B, Division Two’s Brotherhood F and Windsor Falcons from the Third Division – still in with a chance of qualifying for the Knock-Out stage.

Brotherhood F currently top the Group after recording a second impressive win, this week a 7-2 victory over Walton B, taking the last five matches of the evening to clinch the victory. But it was a close-run thing, the final three matches all being five-setters which could easily have swung Walton’s way. The closest was Paul Alden’s 16-14 in the decider win against Paul Newbould in a match played off scratch. Mark Salter remained unbeaten for Brotherhood.

Windsor Falcons will feel pleased with their 5-4 victory over Nomads Panthers, Matt Thomas, Gary Barnes and Nigel Rolph crucially taking the three doubles between them. In an encounter where all the matches were best-of-three sets, the Panthers were forced to work hard for their points, Kevin James (-17) beating Barnes (+3) 12-10 in the third, John Hatley (-15) beating Thomas (+3) 11-8 in the third while Denes Somodi (-15), who won both his singles, beating Barnes (+2) 11-8 in the third.

So although the Panthers are bottom of the Group with just five points, a good result in their final match against Brotherhood F could still see them through, while the Falcons v Walton B tie will be a winner-takes-all match, with the victorious side certain to qualify.   

In Group B, Brotherhood D’s 6-3 win over a two-player Windsor Buzzards means that have definitely qualified for the Knock-Out stage of the competition. Ray Chillingworth and Andy Foster of the Buzzards each picked up a singles win, and shared a doubles success, Chillingworth’s (+1) 11-8 in the decider victory over Kevin Pryor (-1) the closest match of the evening. The Buzzards’ fate now rests with their final match against Nomads Tigers, with at least six points needed to secure a qualification place.

Holland Hurricanes won all three doubles in beating Nomads Ocelots 7-2 in an all-Division Three clash in Group C, but it was Ian Gwillim who starred for a second week running, staying unbeaten in both singles and doubles. The win for the Hurricanes almost, but not quite, guarantees them a place in the Knock-Out stage.

Holland Lancasters of Division Three played well to overcome Second Division leaders Brotherhood G 5-4. Peter Evans and Tony Aresti won both their singles matches and shared a doubles success for the Lancasters. But, having conceded their first match, the Lancasters are almost certainly out of the running for a qualification place, while Brotherhood G will need a convincing win against the Ocelots in their final match to get through.

In the all-Windsor Group D, Gary Cattermole was unbeaten in the Eagles’ 7-2 victory against the Kestrels, although (on -8) he had to summon all his fighting talent and experience against Peter Aumord (+3) before winning a narrow 5-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 12-10 encounter.

In the second Group match, the Hawks led the Penguins 5-0 at the half-way stage but a magnificent rearguard action from the Penguins saw the final score end as 5-4. No player remained unbeaten but, unusually, all six players picked up at least one singles victory.

The Eagles and Hawks look favourites to qualify but the Penguins, who have narrowly lost both their matches 5-4, are still in with a shout and a good result in their final match against the Kestrels could yet see them through.

Group E is the most clear-cut of all the eight Groups, where Nomads Leopards and Brotherhood B are odds-on to qualify for the Knock-Out stage.

In an all-Third Division tie, the Leopards defeated Holland Vulcans 7-2, winning all three doubles. The final match turned out to be a nail-biter, Doug Green and Dominic Joannou (-6) scraping home 12-10 in the decider against Derek Foxley and James Horsler (+1). Joannou was the Leopards’ best player, staying undefeated on the night. 

Division One Brotherhood B won two five-setters on their way to an 8-1 victory over Third Division Windsor Magpies. In those two matches, Simon Smith-Daye (-8) defeated John Plummer (+2) 11-8 in the decider while Joe Plummer (-8) edged past Alan Rutledge (+2) 13-11 in the decider. The Magpies’ sole point was Dave Sweetland’s (+2) win in four against Joe Plummer (-8).

Daniel Young, Kevin Gowlett and Gracie Edwards recorded a second 7-2 win in Group F for Brotherhood A, who are fast emerging as Cup favourites. In the two matches which went the distance, Kevin Gowlett (-8) beat Charlie Denholm (+2) 11-9 in the decider, and Gowlett and Young (-8) beat Denholm and Ian Sherwood (+3) 11-7 in the decider.

Brotherhood E of Division Three are making a great effort to secure the second qualification place, this week winning 5-4 in their encounter with top-flight Walton A. Jack Hillier took both his two singles and, with Rodney Betts (on +2) won the crucial final doubles 11-7, 6-11, 11-8 against Mark Ratcliffe and Derek Willis (-10) in a best-of-three encounter.

Windsor Harriers defeated Nomads Jaguars 8-1 in an all-Second Division tie in the three-team Group G, Barry Allen leading the way for the Windsor side with an unbeaten performance. The win guarantees the Harriers a place in the Knock-Out stage, while the Jaguars are left needing a 7-2 win or better in their final match with Brotherhood C to stay in the competition. 

But it’s the end of the road for Third Division Walton C after losing for a second time in Group H, this week 6-3 to Second Division Brotherhood J. Walton took two of the three doubles, but two singles wins each for Joe Sherwin and Tom Bryden, one from Ruby Gallagher, plus a Bryden/Gallagher doubles success, saw Brotherhood J safely home. Both they, and Nomads Lions, are now guaranteed a place in the last sixteen.

* Entries for the League’s annual Handicapped Singles Tournament which takes place on Saturday 7th February at Windsor’s St James’ Hall venue can be sent on-line to Isabel Barton or by post to Tony Oswick. The entry fee is £4.00. Entry is limited to 32 players and the closing date is Friday 30th January.

RESULTS : HANDICAP CUP

Group A

Walton B 2 Brotherhood F 7;

Nomads Panthers 4 Windsor Falcons 5.

Group B

Brotherhood D 6 Windsor Buzzards 3;

Nomads Tigers 9 Brotherhood H 0 (w/o).

Group C

Holland Hurricanes 7 Nomads Ocelots 2;

Brotherhood G 4 Holland Lancasters 5.

Group D

Windsor Eagles 7 Windsor Kestrels 2;

Windsor Penguins 4 Windsor Hawks 5.

Group E

Windsor Magpies 1 Brotherhood B 8;

Holland Vulcans 2 Nomads Leopards 7.

Group F

Lawford 2 Brotherhood A 7;

Brotherhood E 5 Walton A 4.

Group G

Nomads Jaguars 1 Windsor Harriers 8.

Group H

Brotherhood J 6 Walton C 3.

Report by Tony Oswick

Five of the ties in this week’s Group Stage of the Handicap Cup Competition organised by the Clacton and District League ended in tight 5-4 results. But none of them was tighter than the all-Second Division scrap in Group B which saw Nomads Tigers take the final three matches of the evening to edge past Brotherhood D.

In total, five of the nine matches went the distance, with Tigers’ skipper, Alex Baldock, involved in four of them. In his singles, Baldock (+1) got past Lily Liu (-1) 11-8 in the fifth but (on +1) lost by the same score to Kevin Pryor (-6). In his doubles, he and Tom Wilkin (+1) shared an 11-7 in the fifth victory against Pryor and Fred Gallone (-5) but, with Sam Watling (+1), they went down 9-11, 14-12, 11-13, 11-4, 3-11 to Gallone and Liu (-3).

In Group A, an all-Division One clash saw Walton B defeat a two-player Nomads Panthers 8-1. Both Paul Newbould and John Marshall were unbeaten for the winners, with John Hatley picking up the Panthers’ consolation point.

But the second match in the Group proved far closer, Brotherhood F of Division Two clinching a 5-4 victory over their Third Division opponents Windsor Falcons by taking the final match of the evening. Mark Salter and Paul Alden each won two singles for the winners and also shared a doubles success, but it was Alden’s (-8) 8-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 victory against Matt Thomas (+1) which proved the pivotal match.

In Group C, Holland Hurricanes of Division Three took the final two matches of the evening against current Second Division leaders Brotherhood G to record an impressive 6-3 victory. Ian Gwillim was Holland’s most successful player, staying unbeaten in both singles and doubles, one of his singles’ victories (on +2) a fighting 7-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 comeback win against Paul Metcalf (-8) Significantly, the Hurricanes won all three doubles matches.

In Group D, Division One Windsor Eagles led Division Two Windsor Penguins 4-0 at one point but had to settle for an eventual 5-4 victory. Phil Smith was the Eagles’ best player, undefeated in his two singles which (on -6) included an important 11-8, 4-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-7 success over Paul Woolnough (+1).

Top-flight flight Brotherhood B found themselves 4-2 down against Division Three Holland Vulcans in Group E but fought back to take the tie 5-4. In an encounter where all the matches were played as best-of-three sets, Brotherhood enjoyed the two closest victories, Joe Plummer (-17) beating James Horsler (+2) 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, and Simon Smith-Daye and Sam Plummer (-13) edging past Horsler and Bob Keefe (+2) 7-11, 11-6, 11-9.

In an all-Third Division Group E match, Nomads Ocelots defeated Windsor Magpies 8-1. The Magpies were unfortunate in having to concede two matches through player injury but the Ocelots were, nevertheless, worthy winners, Anne Bonny and Dominic Joannou remaining unbeaten.

All the matches in the Group F encounter between Brotherhood A and Brotherhood E were best-of-three matches, but the current Division One leaders, Brotherhood A, proved too good for their Third Division opponents, winning 7-2. Daniel Young and Gary Young were unbeaten for the victors, Jack Hillier and Joe Hillier taking a win each for the losers.

Walton C and Lawford only played six matches in their tie but it was First Division Walton who emerged 5-1 victors over their Second Division opponents. It was good to see Paul Hewitt back in action for Lawford and he was involved in one of two close encounters on the night, Hewitt and Ian Sherwood (+1) going down 11-8 in the fifth to Mark Gale and Paul Meikle (-3), while Sherwood (+1) went down by an even closer 11-9 in the fifth to Mark Ratcliffe (-6).

The only match in the three-team Group G saw First Division Brotherhood C edge past Second Division Windsor Harriers 5-4. John Cleasby and Tim Leung won both their singles, while Dave Miller (-5) secured an ultimately crucial 11-9 in the fifth win over Isabel Barton (+1). The Harriers won all three doubles matches.

Finally in Group H, Cup-holders Nomads Lions got off to a winning start in the second of the three-team Groups, defeating Third Division Walton C 7-2, Ethan Lloyd the only player to stay unbeaten.

* Entries are now open for the League’s annual Handicapped Singles Tournament. This takes place on Saturday 7th February at Windsor’s St James’ Hall venue, with play starting at 9.30 am. Entries can be made on-line to Isabel Barton or by post to Tony Oswick. Entry is limited to 32 so players are encouraged to get their entries in early.

RESULTS : HANDICAP CUP

Group A

Brotherhood F 5 Windsor Falcons 4;

Walton B 8 Nomads Panthers 1.

Group B

Windsor Buzzards 9 Brotherhood H 0 (w/o);

Nomads Tigers 5 Brotherhood D 4.

Group C

Nomads Ocelots 9 Holland Lancasters 0 (w/o);

Holland Hurricanes 6 Brotherhood G 3.

Group D

Windsor Hawks 9 Windsor Kestrels (w/o);

Windsor Penguins 4 Windsor Eagles 5.

Group E

Nomads Leopards 8 Windsor Magpies 1;

Brotherhood B 5 Holland Vulcans 4.

Group F

Lawford 1 Walton A 5;

Brotherhood A 7 Brotherhood E 2.

Group G

Brotherhood C 5 Windsor Harriers 4.

Group H

Walton C 2 Nomads Lions 7.

Report by Tony Oswick