It was a week of surprises in this week's Handicap Knock-Out Cup round two matches, organised by the Clacton and District League.

Five sides from division one succumbed to opponents from division two, the biggest shock and the closest match seeing Brotherhood G edge out the current cup holders, Walton D, 5-4.

In a match where the lead changed four times, Walton D, who fielded only one member of the cup-winning side, edged into a 4-3 lead that should have been the basis for victory.

But then Brotherhood G's most successful player, Peter Hall (+2), beat Matthew Watson (-8) in five before Neil Callan and Alan Fryer took the final doubles to sew-up the tie for Brotherhood.

Last season's runners-up, Walton B, fared even worse, going down 5-1 to Thorpe.

Kevin Hogg took his two singles for Brotherhood B against Mistley but his team-mates could not give the necessary support, with the Mistley trio winning 5-2. The under-rated Andrew Jones remained unbeaten.

Windsor Harriers produced some inspired table tennis to beat Walton C 5-3, with Richard Prior undefeated, while John Holt's good form continued in Red Triangle A's 5-3 win over Windsor Hawks.

But there were two easy 5-1 wins for division one teams over sides from division two, Shaun Beckham leading Brotherhood C to a comfortable victory over Windsor Falcons, while Lee Partridge was undefeated as Brotherhood F cruised past Brotherhood D.

Nomads Jaguars were a round-two casualty, losing to Windsor Swallows of division three, with two 12-10 in the fifth wins for Sam Beck (+1) against Mark Beckham (-5) and Iris Howlett (+1) against Bryan Challis (-8) seeing the Swallows home.

Published Thursday, December 16, 2004

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