There’s not been a drawn match so far this season in Division Three of the Clacton League, sponsored by the Chigwell Window Centre PLC – and then, like London buses, two come along at the same time.

Windsor Magpies and Walton C shared the spoils in a highly competitive tussle which see-sawed throughout, Walton having to take the final two matches of the evening to secure the draw.

Derek Foxley remained unbeaten for Walton, his treble including a tense 3-2 (14-12, 9-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-9) win in match 10 against stalwart Windsor skipper John Plummer (pictured above, photo by Roger Hance), now in his 24th season with the Magpies.

Adrian Sexton won a couple for Walton, as did Plummer for the Magpies. Windsor’s Macolm Caley and Alan Rutledge took one apiece, Rutledge edging past Deborah Pallett 11-8 in the decider. The Magpies also won an important doubles, Plummer & Rutledge beating Foxley & Sexton 11-6 in the decider.

It also ended all-square between Nomads Ocelots and Holland Bouncing Bombers. Brian Hill took his three for the Bombers, Tracey Barnes picked up a debut League win, and the pair shared a doubles success. For the Ocelots, Mark Taylor and Hazel Blanche won two each, and Norman Jacobs one.

Brotherhood K won the two matches which went the distance to defeat Windsor Kestrels 6-4, Ben Bryden taking three, Sid Hills two and Maggie Earle one. Peter Aumord won two for the Kestrels and Grahm Bunce one, the pair also taking the doubles. Jackie Bunce was the unfortunate player not to get on the scoresheet, narrowly going down 5-11 in the fifth to Earle and 8-11 in the fifth to Hills.

However, it was more straightforward for Windsor Seagulls against Brotherhood E, Ferdy Rodriguez, Jenny Higgins and Josh Court unbeaten in the 10-0 victory.

Brotherhood A’s perfect start continued in Division One with a third 10-0 whitewash victory, this time over Windsor Hawks, Gary Young, Gracie Edwards and Kevin Gowlett the winning combination. But they came very near to conceding a point, Young & Gowlett scraping the doubles 3-2 (11-9, 7-11, 11-6, 8-11, 13-11) against Ken Lewis & Andy Vincent.

Nomads Panthers kept up the pressure with a 10-0 win of their own over a luckless Walton B. Kevin James, reserve John Hatley and Denes Somodi all remained undefeated, Somodi beating Graham Buxton in the only match stretched to five.  

Brotherhood G put up a valiant fight against Nomads Lions, the Lions having to take the final two matches of the evening to win 7-3. Adam Cuthbert was unbeaten, Jason Lloyd won two and Adam Wilkin took one. Mark Boyland picked up two for Brotherhood and John Gallagher one.

In Division Two, Brotherhood F’s Neil Chegwidden, Mark Salter and Paul Alden are a formidable trio and they showed little mercy against Nomads Tigers, winning 10-0. Chegwidden’s victory over Matt Sage was the only match which went to five.

Kevin Pryor made his first appearance of the season for Brotherhood D and made an immediate impact, his team winning 8-2, Pryor’s treble including an 11-8 in the fifth win over Kelvin Olano-Harper. Lily Liu and Fred Gallone each contributed two good wins for Brotherhood, with Olano-Harper taking the two Penguins’ points. Sharon Gowlett failed to get on the scoresheet for the Penguins, but it was good to see her back in table tennis action.

Richard Spence took a top-class maximum for Lawford but Brotherhood J won the tie 6-4, edging all three matches which went the distance. Tom Bryden and reserve Ben Bryden each won two for Brotherhood, both beating Charlie Denholm close in five, with the pair also sharing a doubles win. Lucy Carvell took one, a crucial 11-9 in the fifth win over Ian Sherwood. 

* The Windsor Club is holding a quiz evening at the Brotherhood Hall on Saturday 14 November, starting at 7.30pm start. It’s for teams of up to six, £5 per person, bring your own drinks and nibbles. There will also be a raffle and any donations towards this would be gratefully received. For more details or to enter a table, contact Jenny Higgins on 07790 240566.

* 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 will be limited to 32. The closing date is Wednesday 4 November.