DATELINE

December 2002

You can go directly from this report to the following pages

HOME

ABOUT THE LEAGUE

AFFILIATED CLUBS

CONTACTS

LEAGUE REVIEW

LINKS

NEWS FEATURES

RESULTS

TABLES

All the latest news and features can be found from the
NEWS FEATURES
 page

Welcome to the latest edition of Picture News

CLICK KO CUP - 16/17 December 2002

Twenty two youngsters, representing four Clubs, from the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League's Introductory Competition, CLICK, took part in the League's first ever CLICK Knock Out Cup this week held at the Baddow Village Table Tennis Club. The tournament organised on a team basis and with handicaps reflecting the individual performance of the players so far this season in the CLICK League competition, proved to be a great success story for the Ingatestone Boys Own Club.

Teams from Baddow Village, Boswells School, Excalibur and Ingatestone Boys Own Table Tennis Clubs played the first stage in 4 groups of 3 teams. The winners of each group going forward to the knock out semi final. Group A featured 2 teams from Baddow Village and 1 from Ingatestone Boys Club. The big surprise here was that the top team in the CLICK League, Baddow Village K found giving away points under handicap just a little too much, and were soundly beaten by the other two teams. The Boys Own Club B team coming out on top of the group.

Group B, saw some excellent competitive play from teams from Excalibur, Boswells School and Baddow Village. Underdogs Excalibur Knights shocked Boswells in the opening game, but couldn't repeat that performance against Baddow Village J, who came out on top of the group, Philip Twite remaining unbeaten in both their group matches.

Group C proved to be one of the closest matches. With one team failing to appear it was left to new players from the Boys Club C team to fight it out against the more experienced Baddow Village O team. And what a battle royal it was, with 4 of the 5 games going to a deciding leg, Sam Clarke finally won it for the Boys Club, overcoming Dylan Robbin-Coker 6,-10,-9,7 & 5 to make the match score 3:2 in favour of the Boys Club..

Group D was another very close one. The Boys Club A team set the pace with an opening 3:0 victory over Laura Pyman and Robert Able. But Laura and Robert hit straight back with a 3:1 win over Baddow Village L. leaving the L team needing to beat the Boys Club to stay in. Tom Miles did his very best for the Baddow side, but giving away 5 points to James Dale proved just too much, James winning out 9,-11,5, -12, 6 to gain the game and match 3:1 and a place in the semi-final.

With 3 teams in the semi-final a final place was assured for the Boys Club. Their A team (Michael Wood & James Dale) faced the higher ranked Baddow Village J (Sam Pitt & Philip Twite). But neither Sam or Philip seemed to be able to overcome the psychological handicap of giving away points in every game. But the fact that it was possible was proved as both fought against the odds to win individual sets. That was not enough however and with each of the games going 3:1 in favour of the Boys Club side leaving them clear 3:0 winners. At this stage they not dropped a game in 3 matches played and were looking good.

All handshakes before the first semi-final, as Sam Pitt & Philip Twite (left) - Baddow Village J, take on James Dale & Michael Wood - Ingatestone Boys Club A

The second semi-final was a real cracker. The established Boys Club B team (Lee Cranmer & Jamie Urch) playing against a mixed Boys Club C team (Sam Clarke & Dylan Robbin-Coker). The C team being forced to field Dylan as a late substitute when its second player, newcomer Joe Stevens, was unable to come back for the second night of the tournament. They had not expected to get through the group section! A five set opening doubles went the way of the B team. Just 3 points separating the two teams over 5 ends. Sam Clarke struck back for the C team taking both of his singles. The second at 11:7 in the fifth. But in the final game Dylan could not overcome the handicap losing out to Lee, 11,7 & 11. So the scene was set for an A v B Boys Club final.

Proud Club Secretary Richard Bonnington (centre rear), lines up with members of his Ingatestone Boys Club B & C teams before the start of the second semi-final. On the left Jamie Urch and Lee Cranmer (B Team), On the right Sam Clarke (C Team), who was joined by Dylan Robbin-Coker for the match.

With perfect hindsight it seems that perhaps the Boys Club A team were lightly handicapped. For Michael & James raced through the final, just as they had raced through the games leading up to it. Taking a comfortable 3:0 victory. In the process not dropping a game in the whole tournament. It was a proud Club Secretary, Richard Bonnington, who was first on his feet to congratulate his winning team. An excellent performance. The trophies, including a new cup, will be presented along with other League trophies at the end of the season.