4th Report - Winter League
Premier Div Reports from Duncan Taylor
Week 10 Report
Three results from the Premier Division this week to bring you and the first two resulted in 6-3 wins that followed the same pattern of the player of the match winning three but unfortunately being on the losing side. The first match saw the Rawreth A side of Charles Sweeny, Mike Hayes and Kevin Read beat Irons A with the Rawreth players winning two each against John Monk and Babul McLeod. They were however not able to get the better of Reece Seddon who took his three for the Irons.
The same fate befell Duncan Taylor of Rayleigh Mill who won his three against a Brand Identity team of David Jacob, Richard Jackman and Steve Muth but finished the wrong side of the result as the Brand players all managed to beat Steve Maltby and Rob Harris. Taylor did not have it all his own way and had to fight back from 2 sets down to Jacob mainly down to some inspired play by the Brand Identity man.
Duncan Taylor with three wins for Rayleigh Mill
The final game this week saw Rawreth B go down 8-1 to the irresistible force that is Thorpe Bay A. Three wins a piece for Mark Stones and John Poysden with the only blot on the Thorpe Bay copybook being a good win for Rawreth’s Keith Adams over Paul Sayer.
Week 9 report
Three results from the Premier Division this week and two tight affairs to start off with. The first saw a 5-4 win for Rawreth B against Hockley A. All three Rawreth players chipping in with wins and it was great to see the lesser spotted Mike Hayes and Andrew Halling back playing this season with Halling picking up two wins as did Peter Barrett and Hayes picking up a win which in the end proved to be the difference. No Rawreth player could get the better of Player of the Match Matt Stringer though as he took all his three singles.
Equally tight but perhaps only because Thorpe B had 2 players was their 5-4 victory over Rayleigh Mill. Kieran Skeggs won all his against Eric Green, Steve Maltby and Steve Sawyer while Rich Stubbington also overcame the two Steve’s. Green beat Stubbington in a close 5 setter for the Miller’s extra point.
The final game of the week saw Irons A record a 7-2 win over Brand Identity A. Reece Seddon leading the way with another three wins ably backed up with two wins apiece from Babul McLeod and John Monk. One win each for Simon Jacob and Richard Jackman for Brand Identity.
Division 1 Reports from David Barnes
Week 9 Report
Although recording a maximum possible score in a 9 - 0 home drubbing of lowly Hockley C, Invicta A will be disappointed to only extend their slender lead at the top of the Division 1 table by one whole point. Steve Marr was yet again their Player of the Match.
Second place Stanford Le Hope A managed to keep in contention by virtue of a comfortable 8 - 1 victory away to Rawreth Megazone D. Their Peter Weatherall and POM Ian Sangster were both unbeaten, whilst Noah Unstead was responsible for saving the home sides blushes. However, this slip-up for Rawreth meant they fell one place to fourth.
Lentern took advantage of Rawreth’s reversal to move above them into third place. In a good all round team performance they had an excellent 7 - 2 away win at Brand Identity B. The home side’s ‘Mr. Reliable’, Barrie Delf, got both his team’s successes, but a Paul Sims hat trick, and two each for Martin Archie and Peter Lucraft, saw Lentern to victory.
A weakened Hadleigh Forum B were punished by visitors Canvey A. Despite two wins from Forum’s captain Dave Woolmer and one from Mark Everard (playing up from the C team) Canvey won 6 - 3. Stalwart Ray Wilson was unbeaten, Peter Cray got two and Jo Hills one, in a victory that will do Canvey’s league position no harm.
A full strength Rawreth Megazone C team were too strong for home side Mapledene. Both POM Garry Hartgrove and Mike Hayes were unbeaten for the visitors, with Colin Clements adding a further point in a 7 - 2 victory. Mike Johnston and Andy Seaman got one win each for Mapledene.
RESSC recorded a well deserved 7 - 2 home win over struggling Hadleigh Forum C. Bob Skews and Richard Gill got hat tricks, and Alan Dadswell chipped in with a single. Dave Thomas and Satwant Gill got one win each for Forum.
Week 8 Report
Invicta A managed to keep a fingertip hold on to first place in the league this week, courtesy of a strong 7 - 2 win away to Rawreth Megazone C. Steve Marr was again POM, winning all his three matches, a feat emulated by his team mate Lee Marson. Gary Hartgrove and George Davis (playing up) got one each for the home side.
Stanford Le Hope A remain second, but the gap between them and Invicta is now two points. They had a stiff test at home to Brand Identity B. Despite two wins by stalwart Barrie Delf for the visitors, another hat trick from Stanford’s Mitchell Jones, together with two successes from Ian Sangster, gave their side a 5 - 4 victory.
Lentern had a bit of struggle at home to an improving Hadleigh Forum B. However, thanks to a Martin Archie treble, they squeezed out a 5 - 4 result. The match was a close affair with several five setters. The visitor’s David Woolmer was unfortunate to lose out 11 - 9 against Lentern’s Paul Sims in the fifth set of their contest.
David and colleague Tony Jacks scored one success each, but Mick Tappenden was the visitor’s star performer with two wins.
Brand Identity’s setback has pushed them one place down the table, with Rawreth Megazone D taking the opportunity to leapfrog them by handing out a hiding away to bottom side Hockley C. Cleon Fernandez’s maximum gave him the POM prize, but his team mate Adi Kamma was also unbeaten. Ollie George got Hockley’s consolation win in an 8 - 1 drubbing.
RESSC are beginning to move in an upwards direction. This week they travelled to Canvey A and came away with a comfortable 7 - 2 victory. John Holland was POM and skipper Bob Skews also won all his contests. Peter Cray and Ray Wilson won one each for Canvey.
Despite a pair of wins from Dave Thomas Hadleigh Forum C did not have enough in the tank as they entertained Mapledene. An Andy Seaman threesome and two each from Charles Yeung and Bill Smith gave the visitors a comfortable 7 - 2 win.
Division 2 Reports from Paul Strutt
Week 10 report
Small margins can make a difference and they did this week in Division 2. A 6-3 win for leaders Matchpoint A and a 9-0 win for second placed Basildon A has left the two teams level on points from the same number of games, but Matchpoint stay top as they remain unbeaten compared to Basildon’s one defeat.
Matchpoint were without their number one player Evie Knaapen against Stanford B and it made a difference as both Rob Salvage and John Handscombe managed to beat young Lucy Elliott and John picked up a further point beating Jeremy Giffin. Both these wins coming in five sets. None of the Stanford boys could get near James Elliott though, who took all his three wins in straight sets to take the POTM award. Jeremy finished with two wins and Lucy picked up her point with a win against Mark Downey. Stanford slip to fourth as a result.
Basildon’s 9-0 whitewash came against Hockley D and although a little one sided the match was played in the best spirit and even managed to provide an insight into Polish swear words. Apparently ‘Djokovic’ is included! On the table Les Hoey completed a perfect hat trick and Arun Joy and Szymon Jarka completed their individual hat tricks, albeit they had to overcome some stern resistance from Paul Strutt who took both to five sets.
Wakering’s number one Callum Turner was back on the table this week and leading his team to a 6-3 win against Matchpoint B. Another perfect hat trick for him with Paul England chipping in with two wins and Stewart Mills with one. Dan Stewart got two wins and Alexander Deacon one for Matchpoint. Wakering move up to third whilst Matchpoint slip to fourth.
At the bottom of the table Rawreth Megazone E met Basildon B and although it resulted in a 7-2 win for the home side there were three five set games and Basildon actually led at one stage Andy Roff getting the better of Bob Garlick. There then followed seven successive wins for Rawreth until Jenne Seibolt picked up a second win again against Bob Garlick. Sandwiched in between were hat tricks for Richard Kidd and Jonathan Allen and Bob Garlick picking up his point against Richard Reibold. It must have been a hard evening for Richard Kidd whose three games all went to five sets. The win pushes Rawreth out of the bottom two for the first time this season and leaves Basildon four points adrift at the bottom.
The closest game of the week turned out to be Runnymede’s home match against Invicta B. The home team found themselves 3-1 down at one stage, pulled themselves level at 3-3, then found themselves 4-3 down. Fortunately, they had the in-form Dmitry Kisil and Steve Wisbey to play and they both won their matches to give the home side victory. Kisil completed a hat trick and Wisbey recorded a brace but there was no joy for Anne Adlington on the night. For Invicta Barbara Chabior won twice with single wins for Michael Keeble and Sarah Ball.
Team of the Week – Rawreth Megazone E
Player of the Week – Richard Kidd
Week 9 Report
What goes around comes around so they say and it did for Hockley D this week. In their match last week they could only field two players, lost 5-4, and missed a great chance to chalk up their first win of the season. This week they met Basildon B in a vital bottom of the table clash and found themselves playing a two man side as Covid had taken out Basildon’s best player this season Jenne Seibolt. Hockley took full advantage running out 8-1 winners, ending their winless run and moving up to eighth place in the table. Paul Ogden claimed his second POTM award with two wins, Paul Strutt also won two and Neal Klyman claimed the other point. Richard Reibold was Basildon’s lone winner.
There was no change in the bottom two teams with Rawreth Megazone also succumbing to an 8-1 defeat against Canvey B. The Islanders should possibly be renamed the Murraymints as their recent surge up the league table continues to be inspired by Andrew Murray’s performances. Four games, four wins and four POTM awards leaves them in sixth place and they are now closing the gap on fifth placed Wakering. To be fair to Rawreth the score could have been closer as four games went the full distance but only Steve McQuillan managed to claim a win beating Des Duffield. Kevin Walsingham also completed his hat trick.
Invicta B fell to their seventh successive defeat, not surprisingly against Matchpoint A, and they sit two off the bottom albeit with a six point advantage. Barbara Chabior provided their consolation point beating Jeremy Giffin in five sets but otherwise there was a perfect hat trick for Harry Sawford and another three wins for Evie Knaapen.
Having played a two man team last week Runnymede found themselves a player short against Basildon A. Steve Wisbey and Tony Millward both managed to beat Stephen Walters who unfortunately had to play with a wrist injury and Tony fully extended Les Hoey going two sets up before the Basildon man ran out the last three sets 11/4, 12/10, 11/3.
Closest match of the week was Wakering’s 5-4 win at Stanford B with Zac England’s hat trick proving to be the difference supported by a win each from Stewart Mills and Paul England. Mark Downey and Robert Salvage shared the points for Stanford but there was no joy on the night for David Arnett. Stanford stay in third place on games won as they Matchpoint B and Wakering all have 45 points.
Player of the Week – Harry Sawford
Team of the Week – Hockley D
Division 3 Reports from Dave Woolmer
Week 10 Report
Alex Bowden continued his impressive run of form with another unbeaten performance as Matchpoint ‘C’ visited Stanford ‘C’ and came away with a 7/2 victory. Alex was backed up by teammates Roger Sherman and Max Mayo who each won two games, though neither could get the better of Stanford skipper Mark Farley. As this week's round of matches gets underway, Matchpoint have hit the top of the table, although it may prove to be a brief stay with their closest rivals yet to play.
The young Matchpoint ‘D’ team faced a tough challenge when high-flying Stanford ‘D’ came to town. Matchpoint got off to the best possible start when wins for Ollie Milchard and Blake Stewart in their opening games saw them take a 2/0 lead. Thereafter, Stanford asserted their superiority and closed out the match with the loss of only one more game. 6/3 the final score in their favour. Ollie picked up the other point for Matchpoint but two wins each for the Stanford trio of Peter Moxham, David Arnett and Andrew Jessop completed their win and saw them return to the top of the table.
Dean Johnson achieved his first maximum of the season for Hadleigh Forum ‘D’ as they recorded a 6/3 win against Hockley ‘E’, and he was ably supported by his teammates, Todd Barker (2 wins) and Jean Catley (1 win). For Hockley, John George was the best player with a couple of wins, and he was close to a win over Dean, before eventually falling short at 11/9 in the final end. Graham Gregory added the extra point.
Canvey ‘C’ were again indebted to Trevor Hayes as his maximum led them to a narrow 5/4 victory over the youthful Hockley ‘F’ side. William Evesham and Elliot Brackenbury both recorded wins over Andy O’Rawe and Alan Owen but it was a blank night for Amelia Taylor. She was, however, agonisingly close to what would have been only her second win of the season. She led Alan by two sets only to fall just short at 11-9 in the decider.
Aaron Price continued his recent run of good form with a brace for Evolve in their match against Rawreth Meggazone ‘F’. Reuben Stracey chipped in with another point but the greater experience of the Rawreth team told, and they ran out 6/3 winners on the night. Jan Thorpe was the POTM with an unbeaten performance with Graham Back (2) and Mike Webb (1) adding the extras.
Week 9 Report
‘Very much a derby game’ was how the meeting of the Stanford ‘C’ and ‘D’ teams was described. ‘C’ team skipper Mark Farley certainly thought so and, in determined mood, he recorded a flawless hat-trick and this, added to two wins from Randy Santiago, meant a 5/4 win and ensured the bragging rights for his team. All the ‘D’ team players contributed on the night with Martin Winter their best player with two wins. Andrew Jessop and Peter Moxham also chipped in with a win apiece.
Matchpoint ‘D’ picked up a couple of valuable points as they try to move away from the lower reaches of the Division 3 table. Rawreth Meggazone ‘F’ were their opponents, and for them, Robert Garlick was the POTM with an unbeaten performance, well supported by Edward Philcox and Mike Webb with two wins each. Matchpoint’s Richard Sloman was their points winner with wins over Gloria Acheampong and Ethan Russell. Despite this defeat, the Matchpoint team were commended for their attitude and sportsmanship throughout.
The match between Canvey ‘C’ and Invicta ‘C’ was a close affair, notable mainly for the performance of Invicta’s Trisha Winter who put an end to the long unbeaten run in this division of Canvey’s Trevor Hayes. Despite her heroics, she ended up on the losing side as Steve Kemp’s maximum was the mainstay of Canvey’s 5/4 victory. Trevor added the other two points for the Islanders, whilst for Invicta there were two wins for Trisha plus a win apiece for teammates David Youngman and Jonathan Gould.
The meeting of two of our junior sides turned out to be a very one-sided affair as the Matchpoint ‘C’ trio of Max Mayo, Lotte Mills and Alex Bowden proved to be far too strong for the very young Hockley ‘F’ team and ran out 9/0 winners in double quick time. Alex was the POTM as he maintained his unbeaten record this season. Despite the scoreline, this match was played in good spirits by all the players. With this big win, Matchpoint have moved into third place in the league, hot on the heels of the joint leaders, Stanford ‘D’ and Invicta ‘C’.
Aaron Price led the way for Evolve as his team overcame the challenge of Hadleigh Forum ‘D’, a 6/3 win being the outcome. Aaron recorded a ‘perfect’, straight sets hat-trick, with his teammates Ben Berwick, two wins, and Teddy Kent, with a single win, completing a solid team performance. Todd Barker, with a brace, was Forum’s best player on the night with Douglas Brown adding their other point.
