Windsor Buzzards are clear at the top of Division Two of the Clacton League but, with only six matches remaining, just nine points separate the next four teams – Brotherhood C, Brotherhood D, Nomads Tigers and Nomads Jaguars – in the battle for the runners-up spot.
Current second-placed side Brotherhood C beat a Nomads Tigers’ team forced to play with a guest and, despite a hat-trick from Tigers’ skipper Dave Miller, emerged 6-4 winners. The victory leaves the ‘C’ team on 86 points, six ahead of fourth-placed Tigers on 80 points.
Brotherhood D improved their position and are now in third position on 83 points following their 8-2 success over Brotherhood G. Both sides fielded reserves, late call-up Joe Sherwin excelling to stay unbeaten for the winners whilst ‘G’ team reserve Owen Woollard will feel pleased to have picked up a point for the losers.
And Nomads Jaguars are still in with a shout, moving on to 77 points after a 9-1 win against Brotherhood E. Chris Petrou and Jonathan Hockley both stayed unbeaten, with only Fred Gallone’s victory over Tom Wilkin in the final match of the evening preventing the whitewash.
Meanwhile, leaders Windsor Buzzards recorded their fourth 10-0 win of the season, this time beating Windsor Kestrels 10-0, Andy Cawley, Scott Campbell and Ray Chillingworth taking the points. But the final match of the evening might well have earned the Kestrels a consolation point, Cawley getting over the line 3-2 (9-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6, 13-11) against Peter Aumord. The Buzzards now lead the Division by 23 points.
The closest match of the week was the all-Windsor clash between the Penguins and the Harriers where six of the matches went the distance, with no-one staying unbeaten. Neil Chegwidden and Paul Woolnough won two each for the Penguins, as did Barry Allen and Isabel Barton for the Harriers. Barton was involved in three five-setters, beating Sharon Gowlett 14-12 in the fifth and Neil Chegwidden 11-9 in the fifth, whilst the battling Gowlett was also involved in three five-setters but unfortunately failed to get on the scoresheet.
In Division Three, Brotherhood F took the bragging rights in match between the top two teams, defeating Brotherhood H 9-1. Joe Sherwin and Ruby Gallagher took trebles, with Savindu De Silva taking the ‘H’ side’s point with victory against Lucy Carvell. Two of the matches went to five, Gallagher beating Harindu De Silva 11-5 in the fifth and Owen Woollard 11-8 in the fifth. The ‘F’ team have now established a 20-point lead over their ‘H’ team rivals.
The Nomads Ocelots v Windsor Falcons encounter ended with honours even, Ferdy Rodriguez’s treble for the Falcons including an 11-9 in the fifth win over Andrew Cousins. There were two each for Cousins and Arthur Wells-Garrett of the Ocelots, Wells-Garrett having a close tussle with Nigel Rolph before edging it 3-2 (12-10, 12-10, 14-16, 4-11, 12-10).
Holland Hurricanes defeated Holland Lancasters 7-3. There were three for Gary Stallwood, two for Gerry Widnell, one for John Smith-Daye, plus an 11-6 in the decider doubles win for Widnell and Smith-Daye over Dave Wright and Pam Cousins. Wright picked up a couple for the Lancasters.
In Division One, three each for Paul Hume and Jason Lloyd were the basis of Nomads Lions’ 8-2 success over Walton B. Mark Ratcliffe and Mark Gale picked up a point apiece for Walton, Ratcliffe defeating Martyn Green 11-8 in the decider but going down 11-6 in the decider to Lloyd.
Brotherhood A beat Windsor Hawks 7-3, Kevin Gowlett unbeaten. Martin Edwards won two for the winners, as did Felipe Rodriguez for the Hawks. Dave Martin, acting as a reserve for the Hawks, failed to get on the scoresheet but showed much of his old know-how to test Edwards and Russell Hillier before going down in five to both players.
Finally, Gary Cattermole and John Pattrick took trebles in Windsor Eagles’ 7-3 victory against Brotherhood B. The closest match of the contest saw Pattrick edge out Joe Plummer 11-9 in the fifth. There was a point each for both Sam Plummer and Joe Plummer, the pair sharing an 11-7 in the fifth doubles win against Cattermole and Pattrick.
* A final reminder that there are a number of matches between teams from the same club which need to be brought forward and played before 4 April. The relevant teams have been notified by email and Team Secretaries are urged to check the League Handbook (page 4) for details of these fixtures. Any such matches not played by this date will be declared void.
* The Windsor Club’s ‘Pig Race Evening’ is on Saturday 8 March at the Brotherhood Hall. Doors open at 7pm with the first race starting at 7.30pm. Entry is free, bring your own drinks and nibbles. For more details, contact Jenny Higgins (Tel: 07790 240566).
* The Closed Championships, sponsored by The Survey Initiative, take place over the weekend of 12 and 13 April. Entry forms will be sent out shortly, with a closing date of Friday 14 March. The qualification for entry is confirmed as five matches.
RESULTS
Division 1
Brotherhood A 7 Windsor Hawks 3
Walton B 2 Nomads Lions 8
Windsor Eagles 7 Brotherhood B 3
Division 2
Nomads Jaguars 9 Brotherhood E 1
Windsor Kestrels 0 Windsor Buzzards 10
Brotherhood D 8 Brotherhood G 2
Windsor Penguins 5 Windsor Harriers 5
Brotherhood C 6 Nomads Tigers 4
Division 3
Brotherhood F 9 Brotherhood H 1
Nomads Ocelots 5 Windsor Falcons 5
Holland Hurricanes 7 Holland Lancasters 3
