Canvey A sit 4 points clear at the top of the table after a narrow 5-4 win over Hadleigh Forum C. Charles Yeung played well for the Forum side and was unbeaten on the night, the toughest match being a 5 set win over Peter Cray. Peter Cray and Phil Puckey scored two each for the Island team with Anthon being unlucky and losing all his games in the fifth set. Terry Giddens added the extra point for Canvey whilst Graham Farmer added one to Forum.

Hadleigh  Forum B were without a game this week and sit in second place.

Lentern C are playing well this year and have moved into 3rd spot after a 7-2 win over Lentern D who drop to 5th . Wayne Farmer and Martin Archie played well for the C team getting 3 points each with no-one else able to make much impact.

Invicta A have improved on last year and currently sit in 4th spot after a 6-3 win over Castle Point B. Barrie Delf was able to score 3 for the visitors despite some concerted efforts from the Invicta team, but with only one other game going to 5 sets this was a temporary blip in the scoreline and leaves the Castle Point team at the bottom of the table.

Warehouse B had a good 5-4 win over promoted Hullbridge D, who included James Goddard, playing up from their lower team, in their lineup. The experience of Martin West and Berti Makoli shone through however, with 3 and 2 wins respectively. James Spencer played up for the Warehouse team and it is good seeing the youth being given the opportunity to play against higher opposition. Captain, Matt Rolfe scored two for the Hullbridge team.

In the final game this week, Hockley B won 5-4 over Hullbridge C, despite the best efforts of Lin Roff who scored three for the visitors. With Bill Smith a little off-form (creaky knees and trying out a newly discovered forehand attack) only able to add one and Andy Seaman unable to find a point, it was left to Dave Colwill and Dennis Squirrellto pick up two points each and one from Alan Tideswill to complete the victory for the Hockley team.

Barrie Delf (1st Div DRS)

Hullbridge E’s young trio of James Goddard, Dan Zeffie and man-of-the-match Adam Jackman were far too strong for visitors Rawreth E, handing them a 9 – 0 pasting.

By contrast, youth was not a commodity there was too much evidence of in the match between Canvey B and RESSC. Maximums from Talbot Wiseman and Tony Westwell contributed to a 7 – 2 home win. Bob Skews and Stan Dyson won one each for the away team.

Sadly, Castle Point C could only field two players for their match at home to Canvey C. A brave effort from David Jacobs, by winning two of his games, assisted by one from Sean McNabb; gave them a respectable score line of 3 – 6. However, Harry Keys was undefeated for Canvey who inflicted a first defeat of the season on the home side.

Hat tricks from Mike Smith and Kevin Smart gave Basildon Hospital a comfortable 8 – 1 home win against Castle Point D. Skipper Richard Riebold’s victory saved the visitors’ blushes and debutant Jenne Seibolt shows promise. However, it looks like being a tough season for his side again this year.

David Barnes (2nd Div DRS)

3rd Division  Hockley D retained top spot in Division 3 with a 9-0 thumping of Hullbridge G and increased their lead over second placed Canvey D who won a hard fought 5-4 victory over Invicta C. Newcomers Stanford Le Hope,however, have moved into 3rd place after a comfortable 8-1 win against the juniors of Hullbridge H and have a game in hand over the top two.

Hockley’s win, convincing though it was, came against a side playing two youngsters Lewis Ritchie, and Harrison Sadler who played up from the H team. The experience of Bill Hoy was not enough to make a difference as the Hockley team of David Chenery, David Cross and Jason Stringer proved far too strong.

The clash between Canvey and Invicta was as tight as the score suggests. the match swung one way then the other and came down to the last match of the evening between Geoff Banthorpe and Dave Youngman which Geoff won easily in straight sets to give him a hat trick and his team the win. Steve Robinson and Tom Jarvis supported him with a win each whilst Keith Baxter and Dave Youngman got a brace each for Invicta. Geoff’s opening game win against Keith was probably the most significant on the night.

Hullbridge’s youngsters were outplayed by Stanford for who Adrian Armstrong and Dan Harris both won 3 with two wins for John Handscombe. The youngsters tried hard against strong opponents  with William Skelt putting up most opposition taking a set off Dan Harris and then beating John in a very close five set match.

Rochford LTC continue to struggle at the bottom of the table losing their third consecutive game 9-0 against Customs B but John George did at least have the satisfaction of winning their first set against Dean Johnson. Amar Al Soufi and Mark Rose made up the winning team.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the week came with Hockley E’s 5-4 away win at Hullbridge F. Whilst none of the Hockley team could overcome Sue Reece a good all round performance saw them come back from 3-2 and 4-3 down to win 5-4 in the last game of the evening. Gary Linzell was the hero coming back from two sets down against Ann Lane to win 6/11 5/11 11/7 11/7 11/8. Gary picked up two wins on the night along with Ron Rogerson, and Roger Sherman weighed in with one. Ann Lane got the 4th point for Hullbridge.

Team of the Week – Hockley E

Player of the Week – Geoff Banthorpe