Super-veteran Colin Dearman picked up his first hat-trick in over a year as he stayed undefeated in Walton A’s 7-3 victory over Windsor Eagles in Division One of the Clacton & District League.

Dearman (pictured above, photo by Roger Hance) had wins in three-straight against Phil Smith and John Pattrick, and a 3-1 (11-8, 13-11, 8-11, 11-7) success against John Hobson. And, to cap an excellent evening’s table tennis, Dearman shared a 3-1 (10-12, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7) doubles victory with Kevin James against Smith and Pattrick, only the third doubles victory for Walton this season.

Kevin James’ two wins for Walton included an 11-6 in the fifth success against Phil Smith, whilst there were a couple also for Windsor’s John Pattrick. Pattrick enjoyed an unexpected victory in three-straight over James but it was a 3-2 (11-7, 9-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8) struggle against Derek Willis.

Windsor Hawks defeated Walton C 8-2, Felipe Rodriguez and Ian Fielder unbeaten, Fielder taking his first hat-trick since his return to League table tennis in 2021. The pair also shared a (9-11, 18-16, 10-12, 11-4, 11-6) doubles success against Mark Gale and Paul Meikle. For Walton, there was a win apiece for Gale and Meikle, Gale defeating John Barton 11-7 in the decider but losing to Fielder by the same score.  

Leaders Nomads Panthers beat Brotherhood A 7-3, James Denyer again undefeated, although it was a mighty tight 11-9 in the fifth against Kevin Gowlett. Gowlett’s couple for Brotherhood included an 11-6 in the fifth defeat of Gracie Edwards, her first reverse of the season. The match also featured the rare occurrence of a granddaughter v grandfather encounter, in this instance granddaughter Gracie easing to a win against granddad Martin.

So, with just a handful of matches to play, the Panthers are twenty-nine points ahead at the top and look home and dry, but just six points separate the chasing three teams, – Windsor Eagles, Nomads Lions and Windsor Hawks – in the battle for the runners-up position.

In Division Two the title hopes of Windsor Buzzards stuttered for a second week running, this week succumbing to defeat for the first time this season at the hands of Brotherhood C. There was a maximum for Brotherhood’s Mark Boyland but a less predictable treble for Paul Metcalf who enjoyed excellent wins over Dave Martin, Ray Chillingworth and Pete Bloomfield, the latter a hard-fought 3-2 (11-4, 11-13, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9).

The Buzzards are now only eight points ahead of second-placed Walton D who this week beat Nomads Jaguars 8-2, Clive Allenby and Andy Foster recording trebles. Chris Petrou and John Hockley were the Jaguars’ points-winners.

It was 8-2 again as Brotherhood B defeated Brotherhood D. Barry Allen starred with a hat-trick, whilst there were a couple each for Paul Alden and Tricia Salter, Salter involved in a nip-and-tuck encounter with ‘D’ team reserve Rodney Betts and just getting through 11-9 in the fifth. Kevin Pryor took the two points for the losers.

Lawford beat Windsor Harriers 9-1, a result which further deepens the Harriers’ relegation worries. John Colvin and Ian Sherwood both took hat-tricks for the winners in an encounter where only four matches were extended to a fourth set.

In Division Three, Neil Chegwidden was the only unbeaten player as leaders Windsor Penguins defeated Nomads Leopards 7-3. Annabelle Stallwood took two and Sharon Gowlett one whilst, for the Leopards, there were two for Bob Jillins and one for Stuart Wilkinson. Wilkinson’s win was a three-straight success against Gowlett but Jillins was involved in two nail-biters, edging past both Stallwood 3-2 (9-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-7, 13-11) and Gowlett 3-2 (11-9, 15-13, 9-11, 9-11, 13-11).

Windsor Merlins’ only defeat this season was at the hands of lowly Nomads Ocelots when they were forced to field a guest player. But they avenged that loss with an 8-2 victory in their second-half match. Sam Plummer and Joe Plummer remained unbeaten with Ruby Gallagher earning a point with a win over Chris Wilmotte. Arthur Wells-Garrett and Hazel Blanche took a point apiece for the Ocelots.  

Brotherhood E beat bottom team Nomads Ocelots 9-1, Lucy Carvell, with a debut League treble, and Andrey Pavlov remaining unbeaten. Nomads’ James Horsler picked up an unexpected 3-1 (11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5) victory over Yulian Yaramenko. The win for Brotherhood E puts them on fifty-five points, just one point ahead of Brotherhood F in the bragging rights battle of the Brotherhood teams.   

Windsor Magpies shared the spoils with Brotherhood F, only the third drawn match in this Division all season. Fred Gallone remained undefeated for Brotherhood, while there was one each for JJ Barry and Tom Bryden. Barry was involved in both five-setters of the match, beating Malcolm Caley 11-7 in the decider but losing 11-4 in the decider to John Plummer. For Windsor, there were two each for Plummer and Alan Rutledge.

Finally, Walton E ran out 10-0 winners against Nomads Lynx. The closest match saw Maggie Earle get the better of Pam Cousins 3-2 (11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 3-11, 11-6).

* Details about the Closed Championships, sponsored by The Survey Initiative, are being sent to all players. The Tournament takes place over the weekend of 1st and 2nd April. The closing date for entry is Friday 10th March. Full details are on the League’s website.

RESULTS

Division 1
Windsor Hawks 8 Walton C 2
Brotherhood A 3 Nomads Panthers 7
Walton A 7 Windsor Eagles 3

Division 2
Windsor Buzzards 3 Brotherhood C 7
Windsor Harriers 1 Lawford 9
Brotherhood B 8 Brotherhood D 2
Nomads Jaguars 2 Walton D 8

Division 3
Walton E 10 Nomads Lynx 0
Windsor Magpies 5 Brotherhood F 5
Nomads Ocelots 2 Windsor Merlins 8
Nomads Leopards 3 Windsor Penguins 7
Nomads Bobcats 1 Brotherhood E 9