Press Report

The Division 4 Down Cup Final of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League brought a glorious conclusion to the playing career of distinguished League Life Member Barry Lummis as Writtle lifted the Cup with a 5-2 success against Excalibur. The game was played at the Excalibur Club and the Excalibur team included Steve Cheesman in their line-up, a player Lummis had coached some three decades ago. To commemorate Lummis's last competitive match the teams had bought a bouquet of Flowers for Barry's Wife, a truly magnificent gesture.

The Writtle side were clearly determined to give their team-mate a "Golden send-off" and they can scarcely have played better all season. A 3-0 opening game doubles success for Chris Hibbitt and Barry Lummis against Steve Cheesman and Ian Butler gave them a perfect start and they never put a foot wrong. Matt Brown came back from 2-1 down to beat Michael Rostoft 11-7 in the fifth end and Chris Hibbitt produced a superb performance to beat Steve Cheesman 3-0. Ian Butler hit back with a 3-0 victory over Lummis but the Writtle players were in no mood to have their party interrupted. A decisive 3-0 doubles win for Brown and Hibbitt over Cheesman and Rostoft restored the advantage and although Michael Rostoft hit back by beating Barry Lummis 3-0 Writtle were in no mood to be denied. Chris Hibbitt rounded things off with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Ian Butler. Game, set and match 5-2 to Writtle.

There are three important dates to jot down in your Diaries -

Monday 24 May 2004 - Essex Closed Finals Night at Langdon School, Sussex Road, East Ham, commencing at 19.00 hours. Finals and later rounds of events that were not finished off at the Tournament two weeks ago are to be completed. Chelmsford League players Paul Lucas, Dan Cannon and Kevin Read are all in contention for honours in the Restricted Singles. The Mens Singles Final will be fought out by two team-mates from the Langdon School Club - 2004 Ilford League Mens Singles Champion Jason Clark and last year's Essex Closed Mens Singles Champion John Payne.

Tuesday 25 May 2004 - Essex County Table Tennis Association Annual General Meeting at the Old Chelmsfordians Club, Lawford Lane, Chelmsford commencing at 19.45 hours. This is your chance to come along and have your say on County Affairs. It will also enable people to say "Good Bye" to Phil Gower who is standing down as County Chairman after eight years at the helm. Inter League Trophies will also be presented on the Night. There is a Rule Change proposal in place to reduce the number of County Meetings a Season from eight to six to reflect the fact that there are now less people playing the Sport than when the original County Rules were drafted.

Thursday 27 May 2004 - Chelmsford & District Table Tennis Association Annual General Meeting at The Old Chelmsfordians Club, Lawford Lane, Chelmsford commencing at 19.30 hours. This is your chance to come along and discuss matters relating to the local League. Trophies will be presented to the various League Winners and Runners-Up. There will be a chance to vote on a Rule Change proposal to restrict the number of players that a Club is allowed to sign on in each team.