THE women of Walton and Windsor went head-to-head in the first week of the new Clacton and District League season.

It was Walton D who ended 7-3 victors in the third division contest against Windsor Merlins.

However, Sharon Gowlett, of the Merlins, proved the hat-trick heroine, with excellent wins over accomplished players Maggie Earle, Toni Hayhow-Khan and Lynette Sparks, the latter two matches decided in the fifth set.

Two each for Paul Dale, Jackie Bunce and Alan Charman saw Windsor Penguins home 7-3 against Nomads Lynx, although none of them could get the better of Dominic Joannou.

In an all-Nomads clash, Arthur Wells-Garrett's three for the Ocelots included an 11-9 in the fifth win against Stuart Wilkinson.

However, two each from Wilkinson, Dave Wright and Bob Jillins ensured the Leopards' 7-3 victory.

It was good to see John Bowers, of Nomads Pumas, back in action and his one point proved the difference as the Pumas edged past Brotherhood F 6-4.

Andrew Cousins won three and Lionel Goddard two for the winners. Dan Still won a couple for the losers.

Nomads Jaguars were 9-1 winners against Windsor Robins.

There were trebles for Kevin Hume and Harry Hawkes but Bob Bales had the satisfaction of defeating Mike Vilka and taking Hume close, 11-6 in the fifth.

In division one, champions Nomads Panthers started the defence of their title with a 10-0 win against a Walton E side fielding a guest.

Brotherhood A opened with a convincing 9-1 success against Nomads Lions, with Andy Warner and Martin Edwards unbeaten, as were Colin Dearman and Paul Meikle as Walton B beat Brotherhood B, also 9-1.

Windsor Hawks were 7-3 victors over Walton C, with Andy Vincent winning three, Felipe Rodriguez two and John Barton one. Peter Burrows won twice for Walton.

Hat-tricks for Daniel Young and Gary Young guided Walton A to an 8-2 win against Windsor Eagles.

Martyn Green and Mel Rampton took a point apiece for the Eagles.

In division two, Lawford enjoyed a 9-1 victory over Windsor Magpies, with Richard Spence and Paul Hewitt taking trebles.

However, pride of place goes to Windsor Buzzards, who defeated Brotherhood C 7-3, with two each for Andy Cawley, Pete Bloomfield and John Harvey.

Russell Hillier's pair for Brotherhood included an 11-6 in the decider victory over Harvey.

It was also 7-3 as Brotherhood D beat Nomads Bobcats, despite a hard-won treble for Nomads' returning David North, who beat Grant Sharpe 11-9 in the fifth and Lee Allen 14-12 in the fifth. Sharpe, Allen and Barry Allen all won two for Brotherhood.

No-one stayed undefeated as Windsor Kestrels beat Brotherhood G 6-4.

Bob Sawyer and Debra Found won two each for Windsor, as did John Gallagher and Mark Beckham for Brotherhood.

Gallagher had a notable 13-11 in the fifth win over Sawyer.

Finally, Brotherhood E drew with Windsor Harriers.

There was a pair apiece for Kevin Pryor and Rodney Betts, of Brotherhood, and also for the Harriers' Ferdy Rodriguez, an impressive 11-9 in the fifth winner over Pryor.

Results: Division one: Nomads Panthers 10 Walton E 0; Brotherhood A 9 Nomads Lions 1;

Walton B 9 Brotherhood B 1; Walton A 8 Windsor Eagles 2; Windsor Hawks 7 Walton C 3.

Division two: Windsor Buzzards 7 Brotherhood C 3; Lawford 9 Windsor Magpies 1; Brotherhood E 5 Windsor Harriers 5; Brotherhood D 7 Nomads Bobcats 3; Windsor Kestrels 6 Brotherhood G 4.

Division three: Nomads Pumas 6 Brotherhood F 4; Windsor Robins 1 Nomads Jaguars 9; Walton D 7 Windsor Merlins 3; Nomads Ocelots 3 Nomads Leopards 7; Windsor Penguins 7 Nomads Lynx 3.