The League Champions are Wanstead. By a hair’s breadth over Writtle.
Division 1 The first phase of seven matches all-play-all, left Writtle leading by a point over Wanstead. The top four after the first phase, Writtle 12, Wanstead 11, Barking 9, Brentwood 8, then had to play each other again to decide the Championship, first phase scores being carried forward. The bottom four, Loughton, Basildon, Southend and Upminster played off for the relegation place.
In the second (play-off) phase, all four of the top group could still win the Championship, e.g. Brentwood on 8 could advance their score to 14 with three wins, Barking could maximise to 15, Wanstead to 17 and Writtle to 18.
Wanstead dashed Barking’s hopes 5-3, then Writtle trounced a weakened Brentwood 7-1 to reduce the contest to a two horse race. Next up was Writtle at home to Wanstead, winner takes all. But Wanstead held the defending champions to a draw, 4-4 to set up a nail-biter, Writtle v Barking, which Writtle had to win. In the meantime, Brentwood couldn’t raise a team to play Wanstead and conceded the match. The final match Writtle v Barking, resulted in another 4-4 draw, leaving Writtle and Wansted tied on 16 points. The Rules specified the game points between the tied teams over the whole competition as the tie-break and by Wanstead’s first phase victory 6-2 against Writtle, making the game points between them Wanstead 10, Writtle 6, Wanstead are the new League Champions, their 10th such success. Many congratulations.
The relegated team is Southend 1.
Winners of the other Divisions:
Division 2
Champions are Ilford 1 (18) by a five point margin over Wanstead 2 (13). However, Ilford will not be promoted, with Division 1 being reduced to seven teams in the interests of Div 1 being double round (12 matches) next season.
Loughton 2 are relegated.
Division 3
Champions are Barking 3 (17), by a six point margin over Wanstead 3 (11).
Minor League
Champions are Thurrock 16, ahead of Wanstead 15.
Photo by Grant Brookes on Unsplash
Links: Essex League | Essex League Champions