WEEK 12 REPORTS
Premier Division
What could have been a tough night turned out to be a comfortable one for Rawreth B who scored an emphatic 8-1 victory over a strong Hadleigh Forum A side. Matt Spero was at his imperious best sweeping aside all challengers 3 straight! In doing so he picks up yet another MoM award. Mike Hayes also picked up a hattrick while Dave Bassett manged to beat Babul Mcleod in 5 sets for Hadleigh's single point of the match.
Elsewhere Stanford’s struggle in the top flight continued as they took another heavy defeat, this time at the hands of Thorpe Bay B. The only consolation was a win for Pete Weatherall, all be it a good win over Rich Stubbington. Winter has most definitely come for the home team.
Hullbridge A were back to winning ways as they whitewashed Brand Identity A. Three wins each for Dave Bowles, Reece Seddon and Stuart Gibbs in that one.
And finally it was two points dropped for title favourites Thorpe Bay A as they won 7-2 against Warehouse B. Good wins for Harry Small and Simon Rudland over John Poysden were all Warehouse had to show for their nights work.
Duncan Taylor
Division 1
With Hockley B without a game this week, it was a chance for the other teams to catch up ground or to move further ahead by playing the game in hand.
Lentern A took full advantage by winning 7-2 against another major rival, Hadleigh Forum B, and bringing to an end the last unbeaten record in the division. Elaine Sayer played well for the Lentern team winning all 3 games (two in 5 sets, and after being 2-1 down to Mick) with Peter Cranmer and Martin Archie adding two games each to pile on the pressure. This leaves the Lentern team 10 points clear at the top of the league. Mick Trappenden took the two games for Hadleigh, who now find themselves in 4th place 16 points adrift from the top, with Keith Willett and John Tendler unable to win a match.
With globetrotting captain, Steve Marr, away on refereeing duties in Spain, it was left to the remaining members of Invicta A to secure the victory. Unfortunately they just came up short in a surprise 5-4 loss to RESSC. Mike Worship was the deserved POTM winning all 3 with no-one finding an answer to his ‘funny’ bat and forehand finish. Ron Coutts and Bob Skews added a win each to help with the win and much-needed points. Tony Ayliffe and Mike Piper scored two each for Invicta, With Andy Humphris unable to get that final win, which pulls RESSC away from the relegation battle.
Hullbridge D met Rawreth D and came out on top by 6-3. It was an all-round team performance with Charles Yeung, Dawn Baldry and Andy Seaman all picking up two wins. Sam Thompson picked up the three wins for Rawreth and POTM, but Andy Nunn and Olivia Jones could not get the better of any of the Hullbridge players leaving them adrift at the bottom of the table.
Brand Identity B had a difficult game on paper against Lentern B, but were boosted by the inclusion of Barrie Delf to take a 6-3 win. Barrie was unbeaten on the night with Mick Grout adding two and Dave Jacob one for their total tally. For the Lentern team, all the players were able to contribute a point, Wayne Farmer, Sue Body and Pat White, but were unable to push on from there although no games were won in 3 sets. This leaves the Lentern team in trouble near the bottom of the league.
Customs A pulled off a good 5-4 win away to Canvey A, leaving both teams comfortable in mid-table. Brian Rackham and Dale Gutteridge scored two each with Dave Morgan adding the final point for the win. Ray Wilson was unbeaten for Canvey but only Peter Cray was able to add a further point to leave them short, Terry Giddens unable to get the better of any of the Customs team.
Hullbridge E took a close 5-4 win over Hockley C to leave them in trouble at the bottom. Ben Matthews was the POTM taking all 3 for Hullbridge, with Joe Buscombe and Matt Rolfe adding one each for the win. For Hockley captain. Keith Abbott led the way with two wins Along with Dan Patynski and Callum Turner adding one each.
Barrie Delf
Division 2
A hat trick each for Paul England and POM Stewart Mills, cemented Wakering’s spot towards the top of the table. Hosts Canvey C didn’t have enough fire power to mount too strong a resistance; with Wakering comfortable 7 – 2 victors. Tony Molisso and Jo Hills shared Canvey’s points.
In a close contest between Invicta B and Rawreth G, the home side just edging it 5 – 4. Andy Humphris overcame talented Rob Wood in the deciding set of the last match to give his side success. George Davis was again Rawreth’s best points scorer taking two victories, whilst Andy Deadman and Rob pitched in with one each. At such young ages, Rob and George have bags of potential.
Another young team fared less well this week - Hullbridge F succumbed 6 – 3 to visitors Runnymede. All the home side (Ben Hoskins, Ellena Hart and Dan Mansfield) scored one victory each. Runnymede’s Barry Edgar was Player of the Match, Anne Addlington got two and Jim Nariel one.
Hadleigh Forum C’s march towards promotion back to Division 1 continues. This week’s instalment was an 8 – 1 home win over Canvey B. Yet again Canvey struggled to get a team together, relying on Steve Parker and Tony Molisso playing up from lower teams – in fact, Tony recorded Canvey’s only success. Mark Everard and Satwant Gill recorded maximums.
Rawreth F got the better of Brand Identity C in a contest where honours were evenly spread. All the home team (Botond Mezo, Noah Unstead and Keanan Ford) scored two wins, whilst Brand Identity’s John Beddow, Richard Riebold and Colin Smith each had one.
Unfortunately, Rawreth E were again unable to find players to fulfil their fixture at home to Stanford Le Hope B, so had to concede the match.
David Barnes
Division 3
Hullbridge G have returned to the top of the table after a 9-0 crushing of Hockley F. Fielding what is, on paper, their strongest team of Andy Roff, Lindsey Johnson-Farge and Sue Reece, they were far too strong for Hockley whose only show of resistance came when Graham Gregory raced into a 2-0 lead against Lindsey but then succumbed in five. The only other consolation for Hockley was a nice cup of tea made by Andy!
Customs B fell to a home defeat 5-4 at the hands of Canvey B in a close match where no player remained unbeaten. The first two games both went to five sets and were both won by Canvey. Geoff Banthorpe recovered from a two set deficit to win a crucial third 17-15 and then closed out the final two sets 11-7, 11-7 against Mark Rose. Also in comeback mode was Gordon Johnstone who trailed 2-1 to Amar Al-Soufi before winning the last two sets 11-9, 11-9. Despite going 3-0 down Customs fought back and closed the gap to 4-3 with Amar copying Geoff by beating Steve Parker in five sets after trailing 2-0. Geoff then closed out the win by beating Alex Clark before Mark Rose defeated Gordon in the final game. Mark and Amar for Customs and Geoff and Gordon for Canvey all recorded two wins whilst Steve got the extra point for Canvey. Customs drop to second in the table.
Hockley G and Hullbridge H battled out another 5-4 match with Hockley taking the honours. Alex Summers and Aaryan Vatsa both won two games and Oliver George one but Josh Jones of Hullbridge reigned supreme on the night winning all his games including two five set wins against Aaryan and Oliver. He triumphed 11-9 in the fifth against Aaryan and 12-10 in the fifth against Oliver after trailing 2-1.
The result of the Rawreth H v Stanford D game was not confirmed at the time of going to press but form would indicate a win for Stanford against bottom of the table Rawreth. The top positions then are occupied by Hullbridge G 56 points, Customs B 52 points and Hockley E 49 points then Invicta C 47 points and Stanford C and Stanford D 45 points. Hullbridge G have played a game more than all these teams.
Players of the Week – Josh Jones
Team of the Week – Canvey B
Paul Strutt
