Nomads Lions continued their quest for a top-three place in Division One of the Clacton League with a 7-3 win over Walton B.

There were hat-tricks for Adam Cuthbert (pictured above, photo by Roger Hance) and Martyn Green, although it was a narrow 12-10 in the decider for Green against Gavin Price. Price and John Marshall picked up a point each for Walton, and shared a doubles success.

Leaders Nomads Panthers fielded a reserve against Walton C but still ran out 8-2 winners, James Denyer and John Hatley unbeaten. Mark Gale and Paul Meikle picked up a point each for Walton.

Windsor Hawks v Windsor Eagles ended all-square, the first draw of the season for both teams. Mel Rampton with three and Phil Smith with two were the Eagles’ points-scorers, whilst Andy Vincent took a couple for the Hawks.

Dave Martin of Windsor Buzzards defeated Walton A’s Dave Binns in the opening match of the encounter, but that was the Buzzards’ sole success, Derek Willis and Colin Dearman notching up hat-tricks in Walton’s 9-1 victory. The closest match saw Binns come back from two sets down to beat Pete Bloomfield 3-2 (6-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-6).

In Division Two Brotherhood D and Brotherhood B shared the four matches which went the distance, the ‘D’ side edging the encounter 6-4. Simon Smith-Daye took three and Kevin Pryor two, with the pair sharing a crucial 11-5 in the fifth doubles win against Mark Salter and Paul Alden. James Smith-Daye ended pointless, losing close in five to both Salter and Barry Allen. Salter won two for the ‘B’ team.

Lawford were comfortable 10-0 victors against bottom team Windsor Kestrels, a result which puts Lawford just five points behind Brotherhood D at the top. Alex Dunne, Charlie Denholm and Ian Sherwood were the winning Lawford threesome.

Daryl Lott made only his third appearance of the season for Nomads Jaguars and his treble was instrumental in his side’s 6-4 win over Walton D. Kevin Hogg’s two for the Jaguars included an excellent win over Andy Foster. Clive Allenby won two for Walton and took Lott close before going down 11-8 in the decider.

No-one stayed unbeaten as Brotherhood C beat Windsor Penguins 6-4 in a tie where only two matches were extended to a fourth set. For Brotherhood, Mark Boyland and Mark Beckham each won two, Boyland losing to Scott Campbell and Beckham to Neil Chegwidden. For Brotherhood, Campbell and Chegwidden both won two, Chegwidden going down to Boyland and Campbell going down to Beckham.

Nomads Tigers defeated Nomads Jaguars 8-2, Denes Somodi unbeaten, with Mike Wellum and Dave Miller each taking two. Chris Petrou won the two Jaguars’ points, whilst Kevin Hogg so nearly picked up another, going down 12-10 in the decider to Wellum.

In Division Three, the all-Windsor clash between the Harriers and the Magpies ended 7-3 in favour of the Harriers, Isabel Barton remaining unbeaten. The Harriers suffered only their second doubles defeat of the season, Dave Sweetland and John Plummer beating Barton and Jenny Higgins in four.

Five of the matches between Brotherhood F and Walton E went the distance, Brotherhood edging a tight match 6-4. Joe Sherwin emerged unbeaten, his closest match being an 11-6 in the fifth win against Maggie Earle. Lucy Carvell won two but lost 11-6 in the fifth to Earle, whilst Ruby Gallagher won one but went down 12-10 in the decider to both Earle and Adrian Sexton.  

There were debut League hat-tricks for Jack Riddleston and Alexander Baldock in Nomads Bobcats’ 9-1 win over Nomads Ocelots. But Anne Bonny of the Ocelots had the satisfaction of an excellent 3-2 (11-5, 12-14, 11-5, 10-12, 11-7) win over Matt Sage.

Nomads Leopards were forced to field a guest player against Nomads Lynx but were still good enough to win 7-3, Dominic Joannou and Bob Jillins unbeaten.

* The draw for Round One of the Cup sees Cup-holders Brotherhood A face a tough tie against current Division Two pace-setters Brotherhood D. In the only all-Division One tie, Walton C take on Windsor Eagles.

The full draw is: Nomads Bobcats v Walton D; Windsor Hawks v Nomads Leopards; Brotherhood A v Brotherhood D; Windsor Penguins v Nomads Tigers; Brotherhood F v Brotherhood C; Walton C v Windsor Eagles; Windsor Kestrels v Nomads Panthers; Brotherhood E v Lawford. The matches are to be played during week beginning 22nd January.

* The Handicapped Singles Tournament takes place on Saturday 3rd February at Windsor’s St James’ Hall venue, and entries should be sent to either Tony Oswick or Peter White. Entry will be limited to 32 players on a first-come basis. Full details have been sent to all players and are also on the League’s website.

RESULTS
Division 1
Walton C 2 Nomads Panthers 8
Windsor Buzzards 1 Walton A 9
Windsor Hawks 5 Windsor Eagles 5
Nomads Lions 7 Walton B 3
Division 2
Walton D 4 Nomads Jaguars 6
Brotherhood D 6 Brotherhood B 4
Lawford 10 Windsor Kestrels 0
Brotherhood C 6 Windsor Penguins 4
Nomads Jaguars 2 Nomads Tigers 8
Division 3
Nomads Lynx 3 Nomads Leopards 7
Windsor Harriers 7 Windsor Magpies 3
Walton E 4 Brotherhood F 6
Nomads Ocelots 1 Nomads Bobcats 9