Dedham C, buoyed by seven straight victories, lost their 100 per cent record in the Colchester and District League after drawing 5-5 with division four leaders Tollesbury B.

Dedham were favourites, especially as they were at home, but Rob King had other ideas as he completed an excellent treble.

Martin Lewis provided good support in winning two for the Blackwater team, while Dale Everett also completed a brace for Dedham.

Form team St Mary's E also suffered at the hands of Tollesbury, losing 8-2 with Lewis taking three wins and King and Adrian Gibson two.

Peter Digby was the only West Bergholt player to offer any resistance, digging in to win their only two points.

Tollesbury remain top, two points ahead of Dedham, who have two games in hand.

Chris Smith notched his fifth consecutive maximum to head the division averages with 94.4 per cent as he led Great Horkesley D to a 10-0 win over an inexperienced Rowhedge. Stan Flint and Jemima Killick were both in good form, also winning three each.

That result moved them up to third and very much in contention for promotion, five points adrift of the leaders with a game in hand. St Mary's drop to fifth.

Despite losing 6-4 to Pegasus B, Great Horkesley F hauled themselves off the bottom, leaving Dedham D in the unenviable position of propping up the league at the end of 2004.

Great Horkesley C join St Peters A in third place in division two, just three points off the top as they accounted for a two-player Tollesbury A 7-3.

Pegasus A are top, one point ahead of St Mary's D who are two points clear of third place.

Walton C are third in division two and maintained the pressure on Great Horkesley A, who are second but both have a mountain to climb if they are to catch red-hot title favourites Rowhedge G.

In division one, Walton B remain at the bottom, three points behind Rowhedge F following their 5-5 result with draw specialists Dedham A.

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Published Thursday, December 30, 2004

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