A TALENTED Wickford fashion designer could soon be hitting the catwalk with her haute couture creations.

Gemma Fanning is in the running for this year's Vogue Young Vision Award after being head-hunted by the magazine's online boutique, Muuse.

The 23-year-old, of Caladonia Lane, Wickford, is now through to the voting stage of the international competition.

She is currently in 27th place, but needs more votes to take her into the top ten out of more than 300 fashionistas.

Gemma, who studied at St Bernard's High School for Girls in Westcliff, said: "I am definitely still in shock about it all. I am just a little Essex girl in a competition with lots of Spanish and Italian names from all over the world, it is quite funny.

"I just try really hard and that is all I can do."

Gemma graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London with a first-class honours degree, studying women's wear and print.

"I dressed up this doll as myself to go to the interview for Saint Martins, and it worked, they loved it," she said.

Gemma's work was spotted on her website and at an exhibition by Muuse staff, who e-mailed her suggesting she entered the competition.

"I was designing ever since I was little but they were really awful, I kept some just to laugh at them," she said.

"I have always been a bit weird. I used to wear the weirdest outfits to school, I dyed my hair red before it was even in fashion.

"I would say my style has always been about crash – I love to crash colours and designs together so it is more like a painting, and if you take the pieces apart they also stand alone."

Gemma has interned at a number of fashion houses, including Jonathan Saunders, to build up her experience within the industry.

She said: "Working at Jonathan Saunders was definitely one of the best things I have ever done – he loved the fact that I am from Essex as well.

"I am really proud to be from Essex, even though I live in London now I still watch TOWIE to see all the old hangouts I used to go to.

"You can never dislike where you have been brought up because it has made you the person you are."

Gemma plans to do Masters of Arts at Saint Martins and then move to New York for a year before starting her own label.

If she wins, Gemma will be featured in Vogue magazine and get a place in the Muuse designer community on their website, Muuse.com, as designer of the month, which will enable customers to buy her items tailor-made from the boutique.

Visit www.gemmafanning.com and follow the link on the homepage to vote for her. Voting closes on November 20.

MAJOR questions about the finances of Brentwood's William Hunter Way development will now be answered in public – including how the financial benefits could be significantly reduced compared to the terms negotiated in 2007.

Motorists will also have their interests addressed after it was revealed they could have to pay higher parking charges because of the development.

A little-used piece of council legislation known as Standing Order 1.4 has been enacted by Labour councillor Mike Le Surf in a bid to force the issue into the public forum – something Brentwood Borough Council has consistently resisted.

An extraordinary general meeting is now expected to take place at the Town Hall on November 26.

A briefing note, dated August 2012 and seen by the Gazette, shows that developer Stockland wants to reduce the annual amount the council would receive to cover the loss of income from the William Hunter Way car park.

Instead of being paid £325,000 per year for the first 15 years, which had been negotiated in 2007, the council would receive just £225,000 a year.

In addition, at a recent meeting between the council and the developer it was indicated that the authority would see its combined revenue from commercial letting and car parking fall by around 10 per cent.

This means the estimated annual income of £411,300 anticipated from the terms agreed in 2007 would be cut to £217,000 – a reduction of 48 per cent.

On a separate but related matter, a report from consultants Parking Matters, dated August 2012, warns that the proposed tariff of £1.20 for two hours at William Hunter Way would result in an operating loss for the council. It adds that in 2017/2018 the council could make a loss of £295,000 if it parking charges were not increased.

Councillor Le Surf said this week: "We need to look at the whole thing again. We can slow the whole thing down – Stockland are pulling out of the UK anyway. If we walk from this deal, we are in the driving seat.

"We get £600,000 from parking charges in the William Hunter Way car park anyway.

"We don't have to rush it. At the end of the day, the financial environment was totally different in 2007 than in 2012.

"Lets go back to the drawing board. Let's see if we can do it better."

A spokesman for the borough council said: "It is common for councils to have ongoing discussions with a development partner in the run-up to implementation and we are talking to Stockland.

"It is essential that schemes are both viable and deliverable. We seek the earliest completion of the scheme.

"We shall be holding an extraordinary meeting of the council where we shall be discussing the matter and there will be a report with the latest details about the scheme. The council has engaged a parking consultancy to give advice.

"Their proposals will be evaluated and when this process is completed, the council will take a view on the way forward about the management of the car park."

STEPPING wearily into the night shelter, Peter Neale greeted the duty manager with a nod and headed up to his room.

Wearing an old red fleece, worn trousers and heavy mountain boots, he carried a bag of books from Chelmsford library into his room.

Peter is one of nine people who stay at Chess night shelter, in George Street, off Moulsham Street, Chelmsford.

His days are spent in almost the same way ever since he arrived back in the UK two years ago.

"I start my day at The Salvation Army, who give me free tea and coffee," he said.

"I then make my way over to Nicole's, on Broomfield Road, and they kindly serve free lunch.

"Then, like I normally do, I spend most of my days in the library, I just love to read."

The 61-year-old moved back to Chelmsford from California two years ago, after suffering a breakdown.

When he returned, he realised there was nowhere for him to go and nothing for him to do.

He moved into the night shelter two weeks ago, after being on the streets for five months.

"I really was all alone, I could not go back to my mum's house in Great Dunmow, because we don't get on too well," said Peter.

"It is nice to be on a nice comfortable bed in the warmth, I am getting too old to be out in the cold."

Peter worked as a cleaner in California, before delivering hamburgers to people's houses for four years.

"I saw quite a few movie stars, I even tidied and did the laundry for Russell Crowe.

"Those really were the best times of my life, and what makes me really sad is all the young people who you see in the homeless shelters, their lives haven't even begun."

The smell of beef and potatoes began to waft around the night shelter.

Cook Jean Pannifer was busy peeling more potatoes in the kitchen ready for the evening meal.

On the menu this week was spaghetti bolognese, pork loin, beef stew, fish and chips and a dish they called Ron's chicken.

Ingredients are brought in as donations, which are mainly tinned foods and a lot of pasta.

Bags of blankets, tops, jackets, toiletries, and kitchenwear were also left in the shelter's kitchen.

"It is good for the soul to volunteer," said Jean, who has been volunteering for two and a half years.

"People who have never volunteered are missing out on a real experience.

"You meet totally different characters, everyone always thinks they are out to cause trouble, but it really is not like that."

Chess owns five properties housing 27 residents in Chelmsford, with a new 19-room bedsit on Cottage Place, just approved this month.

Night shelter manager Jacqui Parker was busy making sure everything was right for when all the residents arrived.

"I usually put the telly on for when they arrive," said Jacqui, 53, of Basildon. "We sleep in the office, but one woman sleeps in the kitchen because she does not like the sound of the fan or the radio.

"The shelter has two showers and toilets for everyone, but to be honest they do not usually use them.

"The rooms are nice and even though they come off the streets, I still want the rooms to look nice, we put some pictures up, curtains and mirrors."

Chess resident Zena Edgar sold her house in Chelmer Village five years ago to move to India.

She set up a continental restaurant and a clothes design company in Goa, before the recession hit and she lost everything.

Grandmother-of-two Zena has now been staying with Chess for four weeks.

"I was staying with a friend here when I came back, but because they had a son they said it was inappropriate for me to stay," said Zena, 55.

"I have tried to find jobs here but it is so difficult, despite being multi-skilled.

"I was even in banking before I moved to India, if you can believe that – I can't even get a job at Debenhams.

"It has been hard, but I believe everything will be good in the end."

ONE man at Braintree with plenty of FA Cup experience is manager Alan Devonshire, who won the competition with West Ham United in the 1979/80 season.

The Hammers beat Arsenal 1-0 and Devonshire had a hand in the winning goal, supplying the cross which eventually lead to Sir Trevor Brooking's header.

Reflecting on the victory, the Braintree boss said "That was a fantastic day and one that I can still remember everything about – winning the FA Cup is a player's greatest achievement and I'm still so proud to have done it.

"For my Braintree players this game against Tranmere will probably be their biggest high in the game and I'm so pleased for them because they have worked so hard to get here.

"Obviously we want to do well and as for the result you never know – the cup is a great leveller and it's down to what the players do on the day.

"I know every one of them will remember this game for many years to come as I do with my final at Wembley – it's an occasion to be savoured and they will all want to give a good account of themselves."

PLANS for the Shire Hall and the pedestrianisation of the area around it represent a once-in-a-generation chance to at last honour the memory of Marconi by placing his statue where citizens and visitors can see it.

He was the man who brought prosperity to Chelmsford and began the evolution of what we now take for granted in its widest sense today, broadcasting and communications.

Exactly 100 years ago he opened the world's first true wireless component manufacturing facility in New Street and at one time provided a living for 8,000 people.

Chelmsford and the world owe a great debt to Marconi and his wireless invention.

But it is now 12 years since I suggested creating a monument for the Millennium and was delighted with the response that the city should have a true memorial to its Marconi past.

But disappointment soon followed when the magnificent £50,000 result was tucked away in a corner of the Essex Record Office, then later moved to a little-frequented spot behind the bus station where it remains.

Such a glorious past needs to be celebrated against our technological aspirations for the future of this city. I am therefore pleading with our city and county fathers to place the statue in the proximity of the Shire Hall at the heart of the city's Heritage Triangle.

The statue's stance is such that he can be perfectly signposting the route to his New Street factory ,where the famous Dame Nellie Melba 1920 broadcast was transmitted and so many Chelmsford residents prospered. It is really insulting to one of the world's greatest inventors and all who worked with and for him to be hidden away almost out of sight.

Come on Chelmsford – appreciate the heritage our city has and make sure that this brilliant new opportunity of recognising Guglielmo Marconi by re-erecting his statue in front of Shire Hall is not lost.

Illuminated signs like the brilliant ones designed by St Albans citizens can indicate where the factory and other heritage aspects of our unique city are.

And, please, when the new city gateway signs are installed at the boundaries to the area please ensure they read 'Chelmsford: Birthplace of Wireless'.

Peter Turrall MBE

Chairman of the Marconi Veterans Association and former publicity director of Marconi communications and a lifelong resident of the city.

TOWN included two new signings, keeper Luke Bartlett on loan from Millwall and defender Alton Thelwell, and both played their part in this comfortable win at New Lodge on Saturday.

Two goals up at the interval with a third coming early in the second half Town did have a late scare when the visitors pulled one goal back just past the hour.

This gave the Hampshire side the fillip they needed and although they pressed hard late for more goals the experienced Town rearguard held to deservedly take all three points.

Town manager Craig Edwards said: "It was an important win for and one which we had earned and it was only when we switched off a bit later did they get a goal back but I felt we were always in command."

Early on there were chances at both ends with the visitors' Olly Palmer coming close but his effort was charged down by the fit again Dave Collis playing at right-back.

Up at the other end Alex Osborn should have done better when he was clear in a one-on-one with keeper Clark Masters who foiled his attempt to open the scoring.

But it didn't take Town too long to find the net first and it came from an initial shot from Charlie Taylor on 18 minutes, which was only partially cleared by the visitors' defence but Collis latched on to the loose ball and drove it into the net from 25 yards.

Town doubled their lead on 29 minutes and this was thanks to the speed of winger Junior Luke who skipped down the right wing and his accurate cross was met by Osborn who drove the ball into the net.

The visitors though came back strongly and shortly before the interval Town's debut keeper Bartlett did exceptionally well to save from Palmer and another from Ryan Woodford.

The turning point of the game came just after the interval when Bartlett pulled off a fine finger-tip save to deny Stefan Bailey.

Town hit back and on 56 minutes they went up the other end to score again, this time from a Glenn Poole corner which went over everyone to the far post where the alert Osborn was on hand to the ball towards goal.

Although a defender managed to scoop the ball away an alert assistant referee was on the spot to confirm that the ball had cross the line.

Town needed that two goal cushion because the visitors hit back with several attacks and on 62 minutes they did score when the home defence seem to momentarily switched off allowing Tony Taggert's cross to creep in at the far post.

With their tails now up the visitors pushed hard to try and get themselves back further in the game but despite an occasional scare Town deservedly held on for a fine win and three vital points.

Billericay Town: Bartlett; Collis, Thelwell, Wild, Anderson; Lechmere, (Benjamin 82), Edwards, Poole, Taylor (May 77); LUke (Green 77), Osborn. Unused subs: Oates, Ottlety.

Attendance: 401

Fixtures: Weston-Super-Mare (home) Saturday November 3 Blue Square Bet South kick-off 3pm.

CLUB skipper Brad Quinton has fond memories of the FA Cup.

The record holder for the most number of appearances for Braintree is the only current player to have played in the side when they made their previous appearance at this stage of the competition.

That was away to Shrewsbury Town back in 2005-06 when they lost 4-1. Quinton scored Braintree's goal and of the 542 times he has turned out for the Iron, he ranks this as his most memorable.

The day is given extra meaning for him as the goal he scored came against a young Joe Hart, now Manchester City and England number one.

"It was great a occasion and a real special day for me and the other players despite us losing the game," he recalls.

"Everyone knows the FA Cup is special and I know this game against Tranmere will be fantastic and I'm really looking forward to it.

"In the Shrewsbury game we gave away such an early goal and we never really recovered from it and I know we won't want to do that this Sunday.

"I scored our goal, which was bit special for me as I scored with a header and beat the now England keeper."

Quinton, 32, will be keen to make his 543rd appearance for the Iron and to add to the 69 goals he has netted for the Amlin Stadium club. - "I would just love to score a goal in the game too as I want to build up my average!"

It will also be a special day for the Quinton family, who will all be at the game, because Brad's two year-old son Bobby will one of the two mascots.

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: Aveley have withdrawn from the Essex Women's Football League with immediate effect due to not having enough players after a lengthy recruitment drive.

As they have not completed 50 per cent of their fixtures, their record will be expunged from the league.

PREMIER DIVISION

BEACON Hill Rovers move into third place on goal difference following a 4-0 home win against Colchester Town Reserves, while Silver End United's home win by the same scoreline against Chelmsford City Reserves, has them one point behind in fifth.

The only other game to survive the rain saw Assandun Vikings record their third win after their 4-2 home local derby success against Runwell & Rayleigh.

DIVISION ONE

SOUTHEND Manor maintained their six point advantage at the summit following their 6-0 win at Tigers, while Takeley moved into second place following a 6-2 home win against Leigh Rockets.

Essex Allstars recorded their second victory of the campaign with a 4-0 home win against Southend Town.

ESSEX COUNTY TROPHY

IN THE remaining first round tie from last week, Billericay Town Reserves bowed out following a 3-1 home loss at home to Little Thurrock Dynamos U18's.

THE Ravens' Black scored their first win of the season with a much improved display.

Ravens' shooters Caroline Wood and Anna Johnson finally clicked, as the goals started to flow. Alice Lucey and player-of-the-match Katie Healy provided a constant stream of possession from the mid-court as Ravens went to the interval 15-8 up.

Robins tried hard to respond but their efforts were repelled by Faye Johnson, Hannah O'Sullivan and the impressive display of Katie Johnson, in the Ravens defence, but it was the movement in Ravens attack that made the difference between the two sides.

Redbridge Sports League

Shenfield Ravens Puprle 20

RSC Youth Cyan 15

THE Ravens Purple made it two wins from three as the edged out RSC in a close run match.

The two sides were level for most of the first half with Clare Sullivan and Clodagh Keilthy kept busy in Ravens' defence.

Shortly before the break Ravens shooters Annie Dale and player-of-the-match Heather Banks combined well to take an 11-7 half time lead.

The second half was also close, and Ravens mid-courters Jen Garrett and Alice Lucey had to work hard to ensure the points, but Ravens deserved their win.

Vice-captain James Duggan and his Brentwood side made the short journey to Upminster brimming with positivity after a series of emphatic victories that have seen the club hit top.

They met an Upminster side who were lying second in the table and looking to utilise the adverse weather conditions and home advantage to frustrate this Brentwood side and reduce the gap with the league leaders.

With six players missing from the usual Brentwood starting 11 they knew it would be a tough ask to extend their lead at the top.

After a positive start to the game Upminster pinned the visitors back with breakaway attacks resulting in a succession of well rehearsed penalty corners.

However this was matched by a committed Brentwood defence, with keeper Simon Barrass making a number of saves.

The deadlock was broken with an Upminster player finding a gap at the top of the D and placing a soft shot into the top corner of the goal.

Brentwood responded with a series of penalty corners and a well hit strike from Robert Fryer was matched by the keeper.

Going into the second half, Brentwood tried repeatedly to break into the Upminister half, but found an Upminster team that were not going to give up three points easily.

The game closed out with a series of Brentwood penalty corners, and a last minute deflected shot was dramatically saved by the Upminister keeper, to save the points for the hosts.

LEOPARDS coach Robert Youngblood and his team had a mixed weekend as they had a big road win at Worthing on Saturday before disappointingly going out of the National Cup the following day.

Leopards started the 2012/13 EBL Division One season the way they finished the last campaign with a comfortable victory on Saturday evening.

Carl Josey produced a superb first half performance to lead the Big Cats to a 102-83 victory at Worthing Thunder as his side ended the first night of action on top of the table.

Josey was perfect in the first half as he hit five three-pointers, three shots from inside the arc, and six free-throws on his way to 27 points at the break. the former MK Lion didn't add to his tally in the second half, missing both shots he took.

Coach Youngblood restricted him to eight minutes of action in preparation for Sunday's National Cup, but he added a total of seven rebounds and three steals to his impressive stat line.

Simon Cummings and Taner Adu picked up the slack in the second half to finish with 17 points apiece, with Lawrence Brown adding ten points and six boards, with Greg Hernandez and Tom Martin each chipping in with nine points, and the former adding seven rebounds.

Hank Rivers led the hosts, who controlled the first period before being over-ran in the second, with 18 points and ten rebounds, but failed to trouble the scorers in the middle two quarters.

Sunday proved to be a different story for the Leopards as their defence of the National Cup ended at the last 16 stage with a 73-70 loss against Canary Wharf London Lituanica at the Brentwood Centre.

National Cup rules state that Division One teams may only play one American against lower division teams, meaning that guard Cummings was left out of the side, and against a side packed with quality Lithuanian players, the Big Cats found the going tough.

The home side led by as many as six with three minutes of the third period remaining, but two Sidagas free-throws with 11.3 seconds remaining gave the visitors a three point lead, and after a time-out Leopards were unable to get the ball to Josey and Youngblood ended up taking a hail-Mary three pointer which failed to connect.

Adu led the Leopards' scoring with 25 points while Cosey had another double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Youngblood also had 12 boards.

The Leopards return to Basildon Sporting Village on Sunday (4pm) for the first home game in their defence of the EBL Division One title when they face Bradford Dragons.

The Dragons, who rely heavily on the city's Eastern European population, have made a good start to their second season in Division One.

They won Group B of the National Trophy with five wins from six games and started their league campaign with a 76-68 home win against Brixton Topcats.

The only real disappointment from Chris Mellor's side was a 68-61 home loss against Leeds Carnegie in the National Cup.

CHELMSFORD have won local bragging rights after this fine win over neighbours Braintree on Saturday.

First blood went to Braintree after 21 minutes in the form of a successful penalty kick following a decision of a Chelmsford player being off his feet at the breakdown.

The hosts struck back quickly after 24 minutes when Chelmsford scored a well taken try by prop Adam Ferrier following some coherent ball carrying work by the Chelmsford pack and fly-half Simon Hoult converted.

Braintree responded and closed the deficit to one point when they successfully kicked another penalty as a Chelmsford player was adjudged not to have rolled away from the tackle area.

With the score at 7-6 to the home side, a period of play followed where both teams wrestled for superiority of possession and tried to exert pressure around the fringes.

Chelmsford were able to narrowly extend their slender lead in the 34th minute when Hoult successfully kicked a penalty after a Braintree player was penalised for going over the top and not staying on his feet at the breakdown. Half-time score was 10-6.

The second half again saw first blood to Braintree after 47 minutes when the Chelmsford backline was adjudged offside and the visitors successfully converted the kick.

This seemed to galvanise the home side and thereafter followed an impressive period of play where the much improved Chelmsford set pieces started to produce good ball which was looked after and used well to put sustained pressure on the opposition.

With Hoult accruing another penalty kick on 60 minutes for a Braintree forward's infringement, the score moved on to 13-9.

Some astute field kicking by Hoult kept the Braintree side pegged back into their half and a prolonged period of concerted pressure was rewarded in the 78th minute by a well deserved try by Chelmsford number eight Paul Redford following a drive close to the Braintree line.

The subsequent conversion by Simon Hoult put the result beyond doubt with a final score of 20-9 to the home side.

Chelmsford coach Eddie Gooby said: "After a below par performance last week, I was really pleased by the way the players applied themselves today. We always knew this would be a tough game.

"Our defensive work was great and not conceding a try gave me particular pleasure.

"The squad is being tested with a number of injuries at the moment but we have greater strength in depth this season and we will be pushing the players to move onwards with greater confidence away at Old Streetonians this Saturday."

SINCE Brentwood have been in this league, Essex rivals Colchester have always been major contenders for promotion.

Losing in the play-off last season, their form has wavered in recent weeks but currently they are still four points ahead of Brentwood.

The game saw the return of three Brentwood first team regulars, Matt Northall at prop, John Beith at number eight, and Dan Whitehead at full-back.

The first 10 minutes saw the visitors on the attack with Brentwood's defence looking solid but a whistle prone referee penalised the home scrum in front of the posts. Duly converted, Colchester opened the scoring at 3-0.

Colchester maintained their pressure helped by a referee who found fault constantly with the home side. A the end of the first quarter, a poor grubber kick from fly-half Charlie Chambers ended in the arms of the visitors' backs who quickly sped over for the game's first try.

Converted, Colchester were now 10-0 ahead.

With 30 minutes gone, number eight John Beith was yellow carded for a rucking offence but a most average Colchester side were unable to add to their score in his absence.

With half-time approaching, centre Adam Thomas was injured and replaced by Ryan Dee. Beith rejoined the fray but the half-time whistle was blown with the score at 10-0 to Colchester.

Having received a verbal blasting from their coaches, Brentwood powered into the game led by their second-row forwards. A penalty in their opponents' 22 saw Brentwood's usual line-out and drive leading to winger Tony Poole racing over. A difficult conversion by Chambers brought the score to 7-10.

But Brentwood were strangely unable to up their game with many mistakes aiding Colchester's cause. Another penalty gave the visitors another three points and a lead of 13-7.

Coach Steve Killington brought Rob Hobbs off and substituted Chris Stewart.

A penalty kick to seven metres out and another line-out and drive saw back-row Andy Lloyd driven over for Brentwood's second try. Chambers just failed with the conversion but the home side were now within a point of the visitors at 12-13.

With hooker Tery Snooks again in the thick of the action, Brentwood's pack tried to regain last week's spirit and passion. But they remained lack lustre allowing Colchester's pack to keep in the game. In the backs, slow ball and poor selection of tactics did not help the Brentwood cause.

Brentwood though gradually faded and in the last 10 minutes did not seem able to set up a winning move.

Losing 12-13 and gaining only one point, this was a most disppointing result for the Brentwood players and spectators alike.

Some players are clearly playing with injuries while others are suffering with a lack of confidence. The front-row missed the injured Jack Springall who brings such strength and vitality to the pack. Tom King is also needed when he is available. The backs did not work well with only half of them giving worthwhile contributions.

Brentwood: Northall, Snooks, Sherwood, Woodcock (capt), Hobbs, Metcalfe, Beith, Lloyd, Green, Chambers, Gillett, Stanier, Thomas, Poole and Whitehead.

Fixtures: Letchworth Garden City (away), Saturday November 3, London & South East Division One North, kick-off 2 15pm

CHELMSFORD Chieftains maintained their recent run of fine form by beating MK Thunder 5-2 at home on Sunday against a side that player-coach Gary Clarke had been wary of beforehand.

"It was a good win and everybody worked hard from start to finish," said Clarke afterwards. "They are a well organised side as everyone knows but we kept working away and did well to come back from being behind to then lead 4-2 at one stage before wrapping the game up with another goal,"

A Julius Sinkovic hat-trick along with single markers from Michael Ranby and Grant Bartlett and they were enough to silence the Thunder who had former Chieftains' favourites Dwayne Newman, Simon Howard and the Randall brothers in their line up.

The home side were 2-1 down early in the second period with the Thunder goals coming from Newman and veteran Matt Roberts with Sinkovic having scored early on.

Sinkovic then tied the game at 2-2 before Ranby and Bartlett put the Essex side 4-2 ahead before another goal from Sinkovic rounded off his hat-trick in the third period which was enough to seal the game and send the home fans away happy.

A commanding man of the match performance from Darren Brown should not be forgotten and he showed why he is one of the unsung heroes of the Essex team.

This result sent the Chieftains to joint top of the league, but in second place on goal difference behind Wightlink Raiders.

This Saturday the Chieftains have a quick return league match away to MK Thunder with a 7pm face-off.

Down in Wiltshire the Warriors were in the thick of the action for the majority of the game and were 4-4 with the Swindon Wildcats until a late goal forced the Warriors into their first defeat of the season and knock them off top spot in the league.

Rory Garrett took home the man of the match award after another strong performance beyond his years, while the goals came from Ricky Mills, Lee Hounslow and a brace from Gary Brown.

Away from the ice this week the club have confirmed that Sean Barry is on a two-way deal between the Warriors and Chieftains and will play up for the Chieftains when circumstances allow it.

The Chieftains are looking for more sponsors to come on board to boost the charge for silverware and are appealing to local businesses and organisations to get in touch via the club website to see the opportunities available.

THE home side started brightly with Wisbech barely getting their hands on the ball for the first quarter of the game.

The home side put some great phases together with Michael Scott making some hard yards, but they lacked the precision to get over the line.

Finally with minutes left of the first half, the Old Boys managed to make all their possession count when the pack drove over from a lineout for Matt Staines to score.

The try was converted by Gareth Boyce to make it 7-0.

The second half started like the first with Old Brentwoods in control, but the momentum faltered when Wisbech intercepted a pass to break free just inside Old Brentwoods half.

The try was far from certain however and Wisbech showed great support running to offload three times before they made it over the line. The try went unconverted.

Old Brentwoods regrouped and got the ball wide to Liam Harvey who showed every bit of his pace to cross the line to make it 12-5 to Old Brenwtoods.

Wisbech's scrum half took a quick penalty and scored without being touched. The scores were now tied at 12-12.

ESSEX Veterans' League Premier Division pace setters Hutton Old Boys accounted for Hale End Athletic by eight goals without reply in the first round of the Essex County Saturday Veterans' Cup.

Sungate started the quickest taking the lead at Bowers & Pitsea (Vichouse), they also finished strongly with two goals in the last 20 minutes. Unfortunately for Sungate their hosts scored four times in between to progress.

In the remaining game Maidonians beat Academy Soccer 5-2.

LITTLE Thurrock Dynamos ended Met Police Chigwell's unbeaten record this season thanks to a 3-1 win. The game between Frenford Senior and Shenfield was abandoned after thirty minutes following an injury to the Referee.

CHIPPING Ongar opened up a four point gap at the top thanks to a 6-1 win at Old Parmiterians.

WITH the top two not in action Harold Wood Athletic could not take full advantage as they were held at home by Collier Row. Harold Wood's goals came from Danny Baines, David Baines and James Prue with the visitors replying with a Niki Hunte hat-trick. All the goals at Blackmore Royals came in the second half with the hosts scoring three times with Malcolm Elridge replying twice for Little Thurrock Dynamos Reserves.

NOT a good day for home teams in this Division with only Springfield Reserves managing to get a point thanks to a goal from Gerald Fitzgerald against Writtle.

Henderson Casuals lost their 100 per cent league record as Shenfield Reserves maintained theirs thanks to a 3-2 score line. Great Baddow came home with all three points from their trip to Peverel thanks to a 2-1 win.

IF YOU want goals Hullbridge Sports are clearly a team to watch. After 23 goals in their game this week there was another eleven on Saturday. Sadly for Hullbridge visitors Benfleet got six of them.

Runwell Town dropped their first points of the season as they could only draw with ten man Hockley & Hawkwell. Dean Cook and Garry O'Leary scored for the hosts, with Mark Hope and Jon Ward replying before the latter saw red.

For the second week running Hannakins Farm scored three times at home on this occasion via Paul Hennan, Steve Auvache and Colin Webb but still lost by two clear goals this time the victors being Ford Basildon.

Far more straight forward at Sporting Club Woodham Reserves as they scored three times without reply against Cricketers Horndon Saxons Reserves.

HAVING waited sixteen months for a clean sheet Steve Northfield achieved his second in a row as Horndon won by a single goal against Hannakins Farm Reserves.

Rayleigh beat Ford Basildon Reserves 2-1.

BILLERICAY Sports 'A' collected a 9 - 1 home win at the expense of Selex 'B' with Keith Adams and Andrew Halling unbeaten and Dave Calleja winning twice but losing to Garry Hartgrove - Tim Pang and Chris Aukett pointless.

Selex 'A' defeated Billericay Sports 'B' for a 6 - 4 home win but Chris Knight, Paul Sayer and Jon Stokes were unable to get the better of Alex Abbott who was undefeated - Glenn Johnson picked up one win for the away team 13/15 in the fifth end over Stokes with Keith Ashton pointless.

Selex 'A' then travelled to Cranston Park and won this away match 9 - 1 with Chris Knight and Paul Sayer undefeated and Jon Stokes winning twice - defeat coming at the hands of Simon Hoang - John Mansfield and Terry Timms were Cranston's other two players. Kevin Worthington was the star man for Billericay 'A' in their 6 - 4 home win over Writtle 'A' with John Gagg and John Parodi picking up a win each against Brian Cook - Matthew Brown and Hector Rogers picking up two wins each.

Brentwood 'A' played against a two man Billericay Sports 'A' team with Phil Purser unbeaten, Trevor Carter and Bob Garson (P/Up) winning two points each against Dave Calleja (two wins) and John Darling (P/Up) - doubles point to the visitors.

MAXINE Abbott unbeaten in Billericay Sports 'C' team home match against Billericay 'C' - Dave Kirston and Joe Williams contributed two wins each with Kirston beaten by Adrian Atkinson and Williams beaten by Brian Farmer - Charles Yeung pointless in an 8 - 2 home win.

Mountnessing 'A' gained a 7 - 3 away win at Billericay Sports 'D' with Steve Nicholls unbeaten, Dave Finlayson with two wins and Peter Hardiman (P/Up) gaining one win - for the home side Mick Joslin won twice, Malcolm Henstock once and Brian Wellman pointless.

Buttsbury 'A' were losers on their home ground to Billericay Sports 'C' who fielded Pat White (three wins), Danny Dempsey (2wo wins) and Chris Crooks (two wins) - Gary Carr denied Dempsey his maximum, Sue Hickman likewise against Crooks - Caroline Cole not troubling the scorers.

Bob Garson was the main reason Brentwood "B" took all three points against Billericay 'D' in their match at Ramsden Heath. Dave Humble and Brian Steward weighed in with one win each with Keith Cullen winning twice for the home side - Alan Wood and Jon Fieldsend one win each in a 6 - 4 win for Brentwood.

Steve Appleby was the main man for Kingswood 'B' when visiting Mountnessing 'B' - he won his three singles with Peter Lucraft winning twice and the duo winning the doubles in a 6 - 4 away win over Joan Donovan (two wins), John Newman and Len Jupe with a win each.

LEADERS St Josephs (Hutton) collect a 9 - 1 away win at Brentwood 'C' with Mike Pratley and David Barnes unbeaten and Roy Barnes losing his maximum to Jon White - Graham Mann and Chris Hills the remaining Brentwood players.

Hutton 'B' meanwhile were struggling to hold Brentwood 'D' at bay and went down 3 - 7 to Rick Paris (unbeaten) and Graham Mann (two wins) and David Halfteck (two wins).

Bill Wall defeated Mann for one of Hutton's singles with Norman Feakins beating Halfteck - Tony Adams unable to score.

A resounding 10 - 0 home win for Brentwood Hard over Buttsbury 'C' - Greg Cooper, Nick Wright and Peter Childs for the home side and Louis Brown, Ray Horton and Tony Nettleingham for the visitors.

Mountnessing 'C' were 9 - 1 home winners over Buttsbury 'B' with the visitors point coming from a win for Peter James over Suzanne Shaw - Bruno Handel and Claire Abraham were unbeaten - for Buttsbury Louis Brown and Ray Horton failed to trouble the scorer.

An 8 - 2 home win for Buttsbury 'C' over Mountnessing 'C' with Louis Brown unbeaten, Graham Sturton and Ray Horton winning two apiece against Paul Franklin and Alan Hart who were both pointless - Claire Abraham picking up the visitors two points.

A maximum from Frances Hutt was the main reason her team Buttsbury 'B' collected a 6 - 4 home win over Hutton 'B'.

She was supported by Alan Tofts with two wins and Peter James with one win - Bill Wall winning twice and Steve Murdoch once with Tony Adams left pointless.

IMAGINATIVE entries have been pouring in for the Gazette's Short Story Competition since its big launch last week.

The writing contest, sponsored by Brentwood Brewing Company and Calcott Hall Farm, is already proving popular among hopeful Hemingways and potential Pratchetts, who have been bombarding the Gazette's inbox with their themed submissions. But never fear, the closing date for entries is not until November 30.

Gazette editor Nev Wilson, who will sit on the judging panel alongside representatives from the two sponsors, said he was "very excited".

He said: "Within hours of last week's Gazette going on sale we began receiving entries and I cannot wait to see some more. I am particularly excited about judging the Junior Jottas competition and realising just how much young writing talent Brentwood has to offer."

If you are 17 or under, enter the Junior Jottas category by writing a story of up to 250 words and make sure you mention a farm.

If you are aged 18 or above and want to take part in the Senior Scribes, then fashion your tale, which must somehow involve beer, and send it over (same word limit applies).

For each of the categories there will be two prizes of £50 book tokens up for grabs – two of the winners will be picked by the readers, the other two by a panel of judges.

Send your entries to editorial@gazettenews.co.uk