SDTTL 2017-8 Week 29 Report
Premier This week Hockley overcame Hullbridge B 5-4 and there was a terrific hat-trick for Matt Stringer which included a great 4 ends win against Gary Young. Stringer had earlier had an epic match against Daniel Young winning the 5th end 14/12. Both youngsters showed fantastic talent and a great attitude on and off the table. They are a credit to their clubs.
Rawreth B continue to take points off all the top teams and this week they took 3 from Hullbridge A. Matt Spero, Babul McLeod and Bruce Kettle all getting the better of Richard Brown but none of the Rawreth team could get past either Kevin Caldon and Sam Hume. Another top team who were in danger of dropping points were Thorpe Bay A against Rayleigh Mill but Mark Stones, Paul Whatton and Paul Sayer were in fine form to see off the Millers 8-1. Duncan Taylor with the consolation victory over Sayer.
There was a solid 8-1 win for Thorpe Bay B against Warehouse A with the highlight being Richard Stubbington coming back from 0-5 in the 5th leg to beat Kim Shead. Martin West didn’t have the best of nights; his new rubbers were too 'clonky' then the bridge was closed so his journey home to Kent took 3 hours.
There was a most enjoyable evening but another, predictably heavy defeat for the bottom side Hadleigh Forum B at the hands of Lentern A. The 9-0 scoreline doesn't tell the whole story, there were some very competitive games but ultimately, the better players won the day. And finally Richard Jackman was the man of the match as Brand Identity beat Stanford le Hope 6-3 giving Stanford some vital points in the battle for survival but maybe too little too late.
Duncan Taylor DRS
Division 1 – Week 29
With 3 of the top 4 teams all to play each other over the closing weeks, there will be an exciting end to the season, where every point will count. Canvey is the only exception and will have the easier run-in and may be the surprise package.
Warehouse B continue their efforts to gain promotion with a convincing 7-2 win over Hockley C. Mark Rudland and Berti Makolli were both unbeaten to lay the foundation with the extra point added by Tony Millward. David Chenery and Josh Copeland added a point each for Hockley’s consolation to leave them in mid table.
Canvey A are level on points but with one less win after their own 7-2 win over Lentern C, but having played a game more. Ray Wilson and Peter Cray did the damage with 3 apiece with Terry Giddens adding the other point. Sue Body and Chris Crooks added one each for the Lentern side, who find themselves at the bottom of the table but with games in hand.
Meanwhile the other Lentern side (B) are finding better fortune although they were pushed all the way this week for a narrow 5-4 win over Brand Identity B. In a match where no-one was unbeaten, John Lott and Peter Cranmer scored two each for Lentern, while pimply awkward players, David Jacob and Mike Grout scored two each for Brand. It was left for Brian Spencer to grab the extra point for Lentern with a win over pointless Sean McNabb. The result leaves Lentern in 3rd, 5 points adrift from the top, and Brand now comfortably safe in mid-table.
Hullbridge E have picked up on recent weeks and won 8-1 against struggling Hadleigh Forum C. Adam Jackman and Dan Zeffie scored maximums for Hullbridge supported by two from Reece Harris-Griffiths to place them fourth, also 5 points adrift from the lead, but with a game in hand. Hadleigh’s consolation point was scored by Charles Yeung and lifts them to second from bottom but having played more than the teams around them.
Hullbridge C have now probably missed out on the title race this year after losing 6-3 to Rawreth C. Trevor Ward led the way with a hat trick supported by Garry Hartgrove with two and Colin Clements with one. For the Hullbridge team everyone scored a point in an all-round team performance by Lin Roff, Andy Seaman and Sid Dorn. Rawreth are also looking safe in mid-table for another year.
Barrie Delf DRS
Division 2
Of four scheduled fixtures this week, two were postponed as they fell on Good Friday and home venues weren’t available.
Leaders RESSC took the opportunity to pile on more points in their consolidation of the top spot. They easily overcame a below-strength Canvey C side 9 – 0. POM Mike Worship, Ron Coutts and Rob Skews were all unbeaten.
In the week’s other fixture, Canvey’s B team narrowly lost at home to Stanford Le Hope B 5 – 4. Adrian Armstrong’s maximum was the difference between the sides, with his team mates John Handscombe and Dan Harris winning one each. Des Duffield was Canvey’s best performer, gaining two victories, whilst Tony Westwell was unlucky to not gain anything from two five-setters.
David Barnes DRS
Division 3 A SDTTL Div 3A & 3B – Week 5
Warehouse C are emerging as favourites to win the Div 3A title after a 7-2 win against Brand Identity C gave them an 11 point lead over second placed Canvey D. Conrad Gomes led the way with a hat trick and he was backed up by two wins apiece for Jonathan Allen and Tamas Mezo. The Warehousemen actually led 7-0 at one stage before late wins for John Beddow and Richard Reibold gave the score line an air of respectability.
Canvey D lost ground as they were forced to play with two men and, despite the customary hat trick from Talbot Wiseman, it was not enough to stop them slipping to a surprise defeat to Hullbridge H. Lewis Ritchie got the decisive fifth game coming back from 2-1 down against Ray Baker winning 11/8 in the decider. Ray got a point for Canvey beating Bill Hoy whilst Lewis and Tony Molisso finished with two points each for Hullbridge.
There was another 5-4 result in the remaining match as Hockley E came back from 4-3 down to pinch the win in the last match of the evening, the promising Gary Linzell beating Bradley Nunn 11/8 in the fifth having led 2-0 at one stage. Jan Thorpe took the MOTM honours for Rawreth with a hat trick and Bradley added one with a win over Kevin Blythe. Gary and Ron Rogerson finished with two apiece and Kevin with one for Hockley. Match of the night was Ron’s five set comeback win against Bradley having lost the first two sets.
Team of the Week – Hockley E
Player of the Week – Talbot Wiseman = perfect hat trick
Division 3B
In a match not reported on last week Hockley F have taken a surprise lead at the top of the table trouncing Rawreth H 9-0 to record their third successive win. Hullbridge G also have 20 points but stay second as they have lost one game.
Hockley fielded their own youngsters against Rawreth and the team of Ben Cook, Alex Summers and Aaryan Vatsa were just too strong for their opponents. Aaryan won his matches without dropping a set.
Rochford LTC picked up three useful points despite losing 6-3 to Hullbridge I which was all down to John George who claimed a hat trick. Ben Hoskins, James Skelt and Daniel Mansfield won two apiece for Hullbridge.
No Team or Player of the Week as only one match was played at the time of writing.
Paul Strutt DRS
