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Welcome to our latest Picture News picture gallery.

This is our second Picture Gallery from the M&G Investments Chelmsford Closed Championships Finals Night held at the Old Chelmsfordians club house on Monday 16 February. It features the presentations to a number of the events runners-up. Those, often unsung heroes, who have performed equally well in the tournament just missing out on the top prize. You will see that we have included one or two winners also! Click on any photo to see a full size version. Use the back arrow to return to the Gallery.


	Peter Ballard (Maldon) receives his RU trophy for the O60's singles from Mayor John Hunnable	Haydn Upson (Baddow Village) had several battles with his friend and club mate Rykki Vansertima over the tournament weekend. He lost just one. In the final of the U13 Singles. Seen here receiving the RU award from Anna Emtage of sponsors M&G Investments
Our first few pictures take you from one end of the age spectrum to the other. At 66 Peter Ballard is still one of the top performers in the Chelmsford first division. Whilst 12 year old Haydn has just been enjoying his first season of league table tennis playing in division 6. Emphasing yet again that table tennis is a sport for all ages.

	It was a pretty good tournament for Tom Hill, who you will see featured twice on this page. Here he receives the RU award in the U15 Singles from Anna Emtage of M&G Investments.	To see 2 top 1st Div players contesting the U17 Boys Final must be fairly unusual. On this occasion Tony Halling (Rawreth) had to play 2nd fiddle and accept the RU trophy from Anna Emtage.
The League is very proud of its Junior players. And it is great to see some of those juniors right up at the highest standard. It's also good to see a number of Clubs now encouraging junior development. Long may it continue. We still need more girls though!

	The U17 Girls Final was a real battle between friends. But one in which Lorna Staff (ECC) had to taken 2nd place. Seen here receiving the RU trophy from the Mayoress Mrs Pamela Hunnable.	Lorna Staff & Tom Hill (ECC) put up a tremendous performance in the Junior Doubles, narrowly loosing out over 5 ends. So it was a 2nd RU award for Lorna, received from Mayoress Mrs Pamela Hunnable.
It was good this year to see a number of newcomers taking part in the Tournament from the League's introductory competition CLICK. And one of those coming through to win a major event. The record of achievement of Ladies Champion Julie Vansertima is also quite remarkable. She will be needing another new trophy cabinet if she continues at this rate.

	James Gatheral (Danbury) only started playing table tennis this season, and already he has his first trophy! Winning the Junior Handicap Singles convincingly. Don't think you will get the same handicap next season James!	Julie Vansertima (Baddow Village) has now won the Ladies Doubles title 12 times in the last 25 years! 3 times in the last 4 years with Jean Chasmer (Danbury). Quite an achievement. Seen here receiving the trophy from Mayor Jon Hunnable.
The restricted and handicap events of the tournament are amongst the most popular of all. So to come through and win one of these is a major achievement. Particulalry good this year was to see a number of junior players not only winning junior events, but making significant contributions to - and winning - main events. Of course including the Men's Singles title!

	Another newcomer who has made quite an impression on the Chelmsford League is Gareth Joice (Baddow Village). In his 1st season in Div 4 he has won the 4Down Singles against seasoned campaigners. Seen here receiving the trophy from Colin Wade of Pope & Smith, supporters of the League.	Greg Green (Hatfield Peverel) had a pretty good tournament. Winning the Junior Doubles with Simon Webber (ECC) but having to be content with RU in the 6Down Singles. But RU to Graham Pryke (Maldon Boro) is an excellent achievement. Pictured here with his trophy and Colin Wade of Pope & Smith.
As we say, the handicap events are amongst the most popular of the tournament. To win one is quite an achievement. But to win both the open Handicap Singles and the Handicap Doubles is a remarkable effort, and especially for such an inexperienced player.

	The Handicap Singles had the largest entry of all events. So for 15 year old Steve Clift (Baddow Village) to lift that title in his first season in Div 6 of the League (and only his 2nd season of table tennis) was a brilliant achievement. And to add to that the Handicap Doubles also, is previously unheard of. Well done Steve.	Just days before his 75th birthday Hector (John) Macfarlane (OC's) was receiving another award. RU in the Handicap Singles. Who said John's only handicap was his age? He showed no signs of age in receiving his trophy from Anna Emtage!
Hope you have enjoyed this Picture Gallery. Do let us know what you think. It certainly illustrates the breadth of table tennis - truly a sport for all ages and sexes.

	Bob Francis (Baddow Village) is another relative newcomer to the League. In this years Handicap Doubles he found himself drawn with clubmate Steve Clift, and what a pair they made, putting on a dazzling display to steal the title against some very stiff opposition. Anna Emtage of sponsors M&G Investments presented their winners trophy. The smiles are obvious.	Tournament Referee Arthur C Clark umpires one of the Finals on Finals Night.
The Chelmsford Closed Tournament is a very well run event. Thanks largely to the efforts of Tournament Organiser Arthur Clark. Arthur not only organises, he also acts as Referee, and on Finals Night as an umpire. And not to mention Official Photographer also. So thanks Arthur for all that you do to make this a highly successful event.