BROTHERHOOD I, of division two, are the new holders of the Clacton and District League's Handicap Knockout Cup - the first team outside the top flight to take the trophy since 2013.

Brotherhood's Graham Parkes, John Owen and Fred Gallone prevailed over division one side Windsor Condors to scoop the honours, coming back from 3-2 down to take the last three singles and a deserved 5-3 victory.

The opening doubles between Parkes and Gallone (+1) and Martin Hogg and Annabelle Stallwood (-5) proved a cagey affair but, after sharing the first two sets, Brotherhood motored on to take the next two for a 9-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-7 victory.

The Condors struck back immediately, Owen (+2) ceding a 10-6 lead to lose the first set against Greg Green (-6), who eventually won 12-10, 11-8, 11-8.

Match three between Parkes (+1) and Stallwood (-1) saw the closest handicapped encounter of the final.

The match appropriately went to a decider and, although Parkes changed ends 7-5 up, two fine serves clinched it 11-9 in the fifth for Stallwood.

But Brotherhood levelled the scores when the often under-rated Gallone (+3) hardly needed his handicap advantage to defeat an out-of-form Hogg (-8) in three-straight.

The Condors took the middle doubles to lead 3-2, Green and Stallwood (-5) beating Owen and Parkes (+1) 11-8, 11-8, 11-7, the scoreline hardly reflecting the tightness of the match and the entertainment of the rallies.

The Parkes (+3) v Green (-8) encounter was another cracker, the Brotherhood captain launching offensive forehands which Green, in unusual defensive mode, retrieved from the back of the court with calm assurance, much to the delight of the spectators.

But Parkes' relentless attacking and points advantage ultimately won the day 11-1, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9.

By contrast, in match seven Owen (+2) comfortably beat Hogg (-5) in three-straight, to edge Brotherhood ever-nearer cup success.

Gallone (+1) faced Stallwood (-3) in match eight and, in a see-saw tie, the first four sets were shared.

But Gallone, who may not have played had Paul Alden been available, proved Brotherhood's unlikely hero, racing into a 9-3 lead in the fifth.

And although Stallwood got it back to 9-6, Gallone ran out a 12-10, 8-11, 11-2, 8-11, 11-6 winner to clinch the cup for Brotherhood.

It was a second cup success for Owen and Parkes but a first for Gallone.

And it crowned an excellent season for Brotherhood I, winners of both the cup and league division two and staying unbeaten in 25 league and cup matches.

Final results: (Brotherhood I players named first): Parkes/Gallone (+1) beat Hogg/Stallwood (-5) 9-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-7; Owen (+2) lost to Green (-6) 10-12, 8-11, 8-11; Parkes (+1) lost to Stallwood (-1) 7-11, 11-2, 7-11, 11-6, 9-11; Gallone (+3) beat Hogg (-8) 11-1, 11-4, 11-2; Owen/Gallone (+1) lost to Green/Stallwood (-5) 8-11, 8-11, 7-11; Parkes (+3) beat Green (-8) 11-1, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9; Owen (+2) beat Hogg (-5) 11-0, 11-3, 11-6; Gallone (+1) beat Stallwood (-3) 12-10, 8-11, 11-2, 8-11, 11-6.