There’s little to choose between Holland Hurricanes and Nomads Leopards in Division Three of the Clacton League, as was evidenced when they met this week, the match ending all-square.

Gary Stallwood took his customary three whilst there was one each for Ian Gwillim and Gerry Widnell, skipper Widnell (pictured above, photo by Roger hance) taking a crucial last-gasp victory in the final match of the evening to secure the draw with a narrow 3-2 (11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 7-11, 11-9) victory over Anne Bonny. For the Leopards, Dominic Joannou and Doug Green each took two, and shared a four-set doubles victory over Stallwood and Widnell.

The result, a repeat of their early-season encounter, leaves both teams level on 82 points in joint-second place, the Leopards having played a game more.

Meanwhile, title favourites Brotherhood H reached 100 points for the season and extended their lead at the top with a 9-1 victory over Holland Vulcans. Dan Grindrod and Owen Woollard took trebles whilst Derek Foxley picked up a consolation point for the Vulcans with a win over Danny Still.

The Division also produced one of the more bizarre scorelines of recent seasons, Windsor Magpies beating Nomads Ocelots 7-1, this as a result of the Magpies playing with one guest player and the Ocelots with two. For the record, the Magpies took five points from ‘conceded’ matches and the Ocelots one, with John Plummer and Alan Rutledge defeating Hazel Blanche in the only two ‘valid’ matches.

Back in Division One, Nomads Panthers were predictable winners over Windsor Buzzards, John Hatley and Denes Somodi unbeaten in their 8-2 victory. But the Buzzards will take heart they were able to take two points off the champions, Andy Hart inflicting a first defeat of the season on Kevin James, 3-2 (11-6, 9-11, 13-15, 11-9, 11-8), while Hart and Ray Chillingworth enjoyed an unexpected 3-2 (11-9, 12-10, 10-12, 5-11, 11-8) doubles win over Hatley and Somodi.

Russell Hillier was in sparkling form for Brotherhood B against Windsor Eagles, his treble including a 14-12 in the fifth victory over John Pattrick. Alas for Hillier, they were his side’s only points, Pattrick, Gavin Price and Phil Smith each taking a couple for the Eagles in their 7-3 win against a weakened Brotherhood B.

Brotherhood C beat Walton B 6-4, Graham Playle and Martin Edwards each winning two and Dave Miller one, although none of them could get the better of Pete Burrows who remained undefeated for the losers. But Walton will feel that, with a little luck, they might have squeezed a victory, Graham Buxton going down 11-9 in the decider to Playle, while John Marshall lost 11-5 in the decider to Miller and 12-10 in the decider to Playle.

In Division Two, leaders Brotherhood G were 10-0 winners against a Windsor Penguins’ side fielding two reserves, Mark Boyland, Mark Beckham and Paul Metcalf the winning trio. However, the Penguins came near to getting on the scoresheet, Beckham only just beating Paul Woolnough 11-9 in the fifth, Metcalf getting past Windsor reserve Matt Thomas by an even closer 13-11 in the fifth, and Beckham and Metcalf taking the doubles 11-6 in the fifth against Woolnough and Thomas.

The all-Brotherhood clash between the ‘D’ and ‘F’ teams was a close-run affair which ended with honours even, a first draw of the season for both sides. Mark Salter took a treble and Neil Chegwidden two for the ‘F’ team, with Russell Stone winning two for the ‘D’ team. Four matches went close in five, Mark Salter defeating both Stone and Fred Gallone 11-9 in the decider, while the ‘D’ team also won two crucial five-setters, Stone and Gallone edging past Mark Salter and Tricia Salter 11-8 in the decider in the doubles, and Lily Liu emphasising her recent improvement with an 11-9 in the decider win over Tricia Salter.

Three for Joe Sherwin, two for Tom Bryden, one for Ruby Gallagher, plus a Bryden/Gallagher doubles win, gave Brotherhood J a 7-3 victory over Nomads Tigers. For the Tigers Matt Sage won two, while Alex Baldock beat Gallagher 11-6 in the fifth in the only encounter which went the distance.

Windsor Harriers drew for the second week running, this time against Windsor Kestrels, Barry Allen and Ferdy Rodriguez both taking a couple. But Peter Aumord of the Kestrels was the player of the match, notching up a first treble of the season and, with Allen Denyer, taking a crucial doubles victory 13-11 in the decider against Allen and Rodriguez. Denyer picked up the fifth Kestrels’ point.

Finally, Nomads Jaguars defeated a two-man Lawford 7-3, a result that probably quashes Lawford’s outside chance of a top-two place. Andy Hart remained unbeaten for the Jaguars, whilst Charlie Denholm picked up a couple for Lawford.

* Entries are now open for the League’s Closed Championships which is being held on 11and 12 April at the Lift Clacton (formerly Clacton Coastal Academy) Sports Hall. The closing date is Friday 20 March. There are events for players of all standards. To qualify, players must have played at least four League matches by the closing date. Full details are on the League’s website.