Matt Sage (pictured above, photo by Gavin Price) produced the best individual performance of the week in Division Two of the Clacton League, sponsored by the Chigwell Window Centre PLC, with a top-class treble for Nomads Tigers against title challengers Windsor Buzzards.

Sage’s maximum included a three-straight win over Ray Chillingworth, plus nailbiting victories against Andy Cawley, 11-8 in the fifth, and Pete Bloomfield, 16-14 in the fifth.

But despite an 11-7 in the fifth victory for his team-mate Chris Petrou over Cawley, the Buzzards took the match 6-4. Bloomfield and Chillingworth each took two, Chillingworth beating Sam Watling 13-11 in the decider, while Cawley took one, with Cawley and Chillingworth winning the doubles.

Three from Kelvin Olano-Harper were also not enough to deny Nomads Jaguars a 6-4 victory over Windsor Penguins. There were two each here for Andy Hart and Tom Wilkin of the Jaguars, and one for Bob Jillins.

Kevin Pryor and Fred Gallone both stayed undefeated in Brotherhood D’s 7-3 success over Windsor Harriers. The only match which went the distance saw Gallone edge past Barry Allen 11-8 in the decider.

Brotherhood K have made a storming start in Division Three, recording a second 10-0 victory of the season, this time over Nomads Ocelots. Gary Barnes, Maggie Earle and Sid Hills were the successful trio.

Gary Stallwood of Holland Hurricanes took his regulation three against Windsor Seagulls in a match which ended all-square. Ferdy Rodriguez and Nigel Rolph took a couple each for the Seagulls, Rolph edging past Gerry Widnell 11-9 in the fifth in the closest match of the evening.

Windsor Kestrels returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 8-2 success over Walton C, Graham Bunce and Peter Aumord both remaining unbeaten. Lynette Sparks and Derek Foxley each got a point for Walton, while Deborah Pallett narrowly failed to get on the scoresheet, going down 11-9 in the fifth to Bunce and 12-10 in the fifth to Allen Denyer.

Every player picked up at least one point in the Holland Lancasters v Windsor Magpies clash, the Magpies emerging 6-4 victors, their first win of the season. Windsor’s John Plummer stayed unbeaten, there was one each for Alan Rutledge and Malcolm Caley, with Rutledge and Caley taking a crucial doubles 11-8 in the decider against Dave Wright and Tom Collins. For the Lancasters, Wright won two, with Collins and James Horsler taking one each.

Three for Peter Evans, two for Brian Hill and one for Tracey Barnes helped Holland Bouncing Bombers to a 7-3 win over Brotherhood E. Tony Edmonds took two for the losers and Jack Woolley one for a debut League win. The only match which went all the way saw Edmonds get past Hill 3-2 (11-8, 10-12, 11-7, 11-13, 15-13).

The big match in Division One saw current title-holders, Brotherhood A, face last year’s runners-up, Nomads Lions. And it was Brotherhood who emerged victorious, winning 7-3, although no-one stayed unbeaten. Kevin Gowlett, Daniel Young and Gary Young each took two for the winners. Adam Cuthbert won two for the Lions, defeating Gowlett 13-11 in the decider and recording an unexpected win over Daniel Young. Ethan Lloyd beat Gary Young for the Lions’ third point.

Walton B have had a tough set of opening fixtures, this week having the misfortune to come across a full-strength Windsor Eagles, who took the match 10-0. John Pattrick, Phil Smith and, in his first outing of the season, Gavin Price, all remained undefeated, although it was a close 11-9 in the fifth for Pattrick against Graham Buxton.

Finally, the all-Brotherhood clash between the ‘C’ and ‘G’ teams ended in a 9-1 victory for Brotherhood C, Chris Parr and Graham Playle recording hat-tricks. Mark Boyland picked up the ‘G’ team’s consolation point, defeating John Cleasby in the final match of the evening.

The League’s first Tournament of the season, the Drawn Doubles, takes place on Saturday 21 November at Windsor’s St James’ Hall venue. Entries have already reached the limit of 32 but there is a reserve list. Further details will be sent to entrants in the week prior to the Tournament.

RESULTS

Division 1
Brotherhood C 9 Brotherhood G 1
Nomads Lions 3 Brotherhood A 7
Walton B 0 Windsor Eagles 10
Brotherhood B v Walton A (result not in)
Division 2
Windsor Penguins 4 Nomads Jaguars 6
Windsor Harriers 3 Brotherhood D 7
Nomads Tigers 4 Windsor Buzzards 6
Brotherhood H v Brotherhood F (result not in)
Division 3
Brotherhood K 10 Nomads Ocelots 0
Windsor Seagulls 5 Holland Hurricanes 5
Walton C 2 Windsor Kestrels 8
Holland Bouncing Bombers 7 Brotherhood E 3
Holland Lancasters 4 Windsor Magpies 6