Sdttl 2016/7 Weekly Reports -
Week 8
Premier Division:- Halloween turned into a bit of a ‘nightmare on Rawreth Lane’ for Customs A as Rawreth B managed to pick up maximum points for the first time this season. Babul Mcleod turned in a Man of the Match performance with his powerful loops from both wings consistently hitting their target. He was ably backed up by Matt Spero and Simon Neale who also scored hat-tricks.
Thorpe Bay A produced an excellent performance as they recorded an 8-1 win over a strong Hullbridge B side of Glenn Johnson, John Holland and Reece Seddon. Paul Whatton continued his impressive start to the season by winning three, as did Paul Sayer. Hullbridge’s only win came from Reece Seddon over John Poysden.
It was a week to forget for Thorpe Bay B as they drew a blank against Hullbridge A. It is certainly a rarity for the team to lose 9-0, but that is what happened against the experienced trio of Stuart Gibbs, Kevin Caldon and Dave Bowles. Hullbridge didn’t have it all their own way and there were close five set defeats for Keiran Skeggs and Gurj Bhambra to Stuart Gibbs and Dave Bowles respectively.
In the opening game of Castle Point’s match against Lentern A, Barrie Delf recorded a great win over Wale Bada 13-15 in the 5th set. Unfortunately for Castle Point this was as good as it got as maximums for Terry Guymer and Keith Adams led to an 8-1 win for the Lentern side.
High-flying Keiran Lally was in sharp form as he supported George Reeves and Charles Sweeney in guiding Rawreth A to a 9-0 win over Hockley A. It was a tough night for the premier division newcomers, but they can be cheered by the fact that there are not many teams that get the better of Rawreth’s A side.
Duncan Taylor, Prem. Div. DRS
Division 1:- Division 1 – Week 8
Hadleigh Forum B continue to lead the division but suffered their first loss this week to the improving team from Hullbridge C. A great hat trick from POTM Matt Rolfe backed up again with two from Ben Matthews was enough to take a deserved 5-4 win. All the players from Hadleigh contributed with Mick Tappenden the pick with two wins. However, at 4-4 coming to the 9th game, Matt beat Mick 11-9 in the fifth set to take the game and point for Hullbridge.
Lentern C took advantage of Canvey A not having a game by taking over 2nd spot with a convincing 6-3 win over Hadleigh Forum C. Wayne Farmer was at his best unbeaten on the night and backed up with two from Brian Spencer, Martin Archie adding another point for a good all round team performance. Mark Everard put up most resistance with two games for the Hadleigh team.
Hullbridge C had a good match against Rawreth C, in a match where no-one was unbeaten. Lin Roff, Bill Smith and Ben Matthews (playing up from the D team) all scored two wins in their 6-3 victory. John Blackman scored two for the Rawreth team who missed the opportunity to move up the table.
Lentern B returned to winning ways with a close 5-4 win over Warehouse B. John Lott again was the mainstay scoring three points, ably supported by Paul Sims with two. Micky Baker scored two for the Warehouse team but neither Tony Wright nor Harry Small could win more than one.
The bottom of the table clash between Hockley B and Lentern D turned into something of a Halloween nightmare for Hockley, losing 6-3. Full of confidence after pushing the league leaders Hadleigh Forum all the way last week they were expecting a better result against a struggling Lentern side. Peter Pond, however, put the 'bite' on his opponents winning all 3 and Peter Lucraft (2 ) and Dave Kirston (1) made up the remaining points. Dave Colwill still managed pick up 2 wins and Alan Tideswell got one, coming back from the dead at two sets down to beat Dave. No joy for Paul Strutt who should probably have gone trick or treating instead!
Barry Delf, Div 1 DRS
Division 2:- Hockley C moved to the top of the table, benefitting from nine points, courtesy of Rawreth D. With the visitors not being able to field a team, they had no choice but to concede the match. Hockley’s elevated position may only be temporary. If, at the end of the season, their position is seen to benefit from this result, then thegame will need to be replayed.
Hullbridge E played a bit of catch. Being a couple of games behind others at the top, they did their cause no harm with a 7 – 2 victory over Warehouse C. Maximums from player-of-the match Adam Jackman and James Goddard pushed them back up to second place, still with one game in hand over the leaders and only point behind. They remain undefeated this season.
Castle Point C had a good home win over Wakering. Being blessed with another appearance from the much-experienced Chris Jacob, his hat trick saw them come out comfortably 7 – 2 victors. David Jacob and Sean McNabb contributed two wins apiece. Zac England got both Wakering’s points.
Despite a couple of notable scalps for Runnymede’s Barbara Shead, two wins each for David Barnes, Mike Keeble and Barrie Murphy gave Invicta B a 6 – 3 win – their biggest of the season.
A typical scrapping John Beddow maximum for Castle Point D gave the bottom side hope of their first victory of the season. However, two each for Botond Mezo and Andy Deadman with Rob Appleton chipping in with one win, visitors Rawreth E edged it 5 – 4.
A Clive Beauchamp hat trick inspired home team Basildon Hospital to a 6 – 3 win over RESSC. Mike Smith added two more for the home side, whilst the ever-reliable Ron Coutts scored two for the visitors.
David Barnes, Div 2 DRS.
Division 3:- DIVISION 3 WEEKLY REPORT
Without their best player so far this season, William Skelt, the youngsters of Hullbridge H were no match for table toppers Hockley D and succumbed to a 9-0 defeat. Harrison Sadler showed some resistance taking a set off Jim Nariel and Alex Barnetson but both Toby Zeffie and Abiaz Afzal were never in contention. Fielding two unbeaten players in David Chenery and Alex Barnetson Hockley picked up their fifth such win of the season and, at the time of writing, have a massive 21 point lead at the top of the table. A true test of their capabilities however, will come in their next match away to second placed Canvey D, the result of which could have a huge bearing on the promotion race even at this early stage of the season.
Warehouse D, who have two games in hand on Hockley and are 25 points behind, kept in touch with a 6-3 win against Hullbridge G for whom young Harrison Sadler played, moving up from the H team. It was Simon Lisner of Warehouse who took all the honours on the night however recording a hat trick which included a hard fought five set victory against the dangerous Tony Molisso. Simon lost the first two sets but then won the crucial third 14-12 before winning the final two 11-7 11-6. Tamas Mezo won two and Phil Mardle one to make up the points and Tony,two, and Lewis Ritchie, one, got the points for Hullbridge.
Hockley E equalled their D team counterparts with a 9-0 win against Rochford LTC to move them up to a comfortable 6th position in the division. Ron Rogerson, Phil Pond and captain Andrew Strutt all recorded their first hat tricks of the season. John George and youngsters Ben Jackson and Ollie George made up the Rochford team.
Only 3 matches to report on then at the time of going to press which, in fact, makes my weekly awards harder to select but here goes:-
Player of the Week – Simon Lisner
Team of the Week – Hockley D
Paul Strutt, Div.3 DRS
