It was a good week for Nomads Lions in Division One of the Clacton & District League, recording two 7-3 wins to lift them to respectability in the middle of the table.

In a fine, all-round team performance, three for Sam Hume (pictured above, photo by Roger Hance), two for Adam Cuthbert, one from Jason Lloyd and a Hume/Cuthbert doubles success saw the Lions to their first win of the season, this against Brotherhood A.

And with Hume and Cuthbert staying undefeated, the Lions followed this up with victory over the previously unbeaten Windsor Hawks. Windsor’s Andy Vincent lost his first singles of the season but the Hawks had the satisfaction of retaining their 100% doubles record, Vincent and Felipe Rodriguez defeating Cuthbert and Hume 3-1 (11-6, 11-9, 2-11, 16-14).

Windsor Eagles were 9-1 victors against Walton B, Paul Hume and Mel Rampton taking trebles. Gavin Price took the Walton point but his team-mate John Marshall had the misfortune to lose two matches which went all the way, 11-5 in the fifth to Rampton and 11-4 in the fifth to Phil Smith.

But at the top, Nomads Panthers are looking unstoppable, this week defeating Walton A 10-0 to make it 38 points out of a possible 40. Walton A were without Kevin James, the first time in over a year, and twenty-one matches, where Dearman, Willis and James have not taken the table together.

In Division Two, Lawford and Windsor Buzzards shared the spoils in a match where every player picked up at least one point. But it was in-form Pete Bloomfield who was the unlikely hero of the night, his maximum including an 11-6 in the decider win over James Tindle.

Walton D are proving a competitive force at this level, this week inflicting a first defeat of the season on Brotherhood B. Andy Foster was unbeaten in the 7-3 win whilst Clive Allenby won a couple, beating Tricia Salter 11-6 in the fifth but going down 11-4 in the fifth to Paul Alden.

Chris Petrou stayed undefeated for Nomads Jaguars against Windsor Harriers but it was the Harriers who took the match, the 6-4 victory their first success of the season. The Harriers won three of the four matches which went the distance, the closest being Jenny Higgins’ 3-2 (9-11, 7-11, 13-11, 13-11, 15-13) win over John Hockley.

It was a good week for the three Windsor teams in Division Three.

Title favourites Windsor Penguins were comfortable 10-0 winners against Nomads Ocelots, whilst it was the same score for the Magpies against Nomads Bobcats. Dave Sweetland had a tight tussle with Doug Green in this latter tie, scraping through 3-2 (11-8, 11-3, 7-11, 13-15, 12-10).

Meanwhile, the Merlins enjoyed a 9-1 win against Nomads Lynx. Pam Cousins took a consolation point for the all-female trio with a narrow 3-2 (11-7, 6-11, 3-11, 11-8, 11-8) victory over Ruby Gallagher in the closest match of the evening.

Walton E and Nomads Leopards seem the only teams able to stop the Windsor steam-roller, Walton this week beating Brotherhood F 9-1 and the Leopards defeating Brotherhood E 8-2, Peter Martin taking two wins on debut.

* Details about the Group stage of the Handicap Cup will be sent to Team Secretaries by 20th November.

RESULTS

Division 1
Nomads Panthers 10 Walton A 0
Brotherhood A 3 Nomads Lions 7
Windsor Eagles 9 Walton B 1
Nomads Lions 7 Windsor Hawks 3

Division 2
Lawford 5 Windsor Buzzards 5
Walton D 7 Brotherhood B 3
Windsor Harriers 6 Nomads Jaguars 4

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