Press Report

On paper there appeared little to choose between the ECC A and Rawreth sides which lined up for the top of the table clash in division one of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. The fact that ECC won 9-1 therefore gives you an indication of just how well they played. Both Paul Davison and Steve Joslin stayed undefeated as all three ECC players beat both George Reeves and Duncan Taylor. All Rawreth had to show for their efforts was Tony Halling's fine 3-1 win over Dave Cole. ECC started off as if they meant business with Paul Davison scoring a superb 3-1 victory over Tony Halling and with Joslin beating Reeves 3-1 ECC were firmly in the driving seat. They simply never let up as they powered through all three games that went to a fifth end. The 1995 and 1996 Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion Steve Joslin produced his best play for many a year as he saw off Tony Halling 3-2 and he completed a fantastic night's work with a 13-11 fifth set win over Duncan Taylor.

Elmtree Graphics A stay third after beating bottom-placed Writtle A 9-1. Paul and Ev Lucas both stayed undefeated although John Holland surprisingly missed out 3-2 against Gary Ward. Writtle A were also on the wrong end of a 9-1 defeat against Danbury A. Kevin Worthington's fine win over Peter Saunders being their sole success. Billericay will also be looking over their shoulders nervously and an 8-2 defeat against Danbury B leaves them in a real battle with Hatfield Peverel A to avoid finishing second to bottom. Danbury's Ian Whiteside took his three singles and Steve Elmes and Tony Forster both won twice. Billericay did better against Maldon A, but a 6-4 defeat still leaves them with a lot of work to do. Maldon's Peter Ballard was unbeaten whilst Ray Eldridge hit back well with wins over Babul McLeod and Hamish Innes. Hatfield Peverel A will have been pleased with their draw against Danbury B. Peter Brownlow was an impressive winner of his three singles which countered the two wins achieved by both Ian Whiteside and Tony Forster. However, Hatfield Peverel A were brought crashing down to earth a week later when they lost 8-2 against Excalibur A. Matthew Fasanya won his three singles whilst Tim Pang and Nigel Lamb both won twice. It was left to John Gagg with two wins to hold the Peverel side together.

Third placed OCs A were the week's big losers in division two, as they were hammered 9-1 by ECC B. An undefeated Bryn Thomas and Trevor Collin, and Keith Spicer with two wins all played really well. Runaway leaders Baddow Village A weren't at full strength but still managed to beat E2V Technologies 6-4. The hard-hitting Dave Richardson impressed most by taking his three singles and inflicting defeats on both Neil Gooday and Peter Barrett. Bocking A are equally secure in second place and with Kevin Gowlett again staying undefeated they beat Hatfield Peverel B 7-3.

ECC E, cast adrift at the bottom of division three six points behind the next side produced two outstanding performances. A 5-5 draw against OCs B showed improved form and they really excelled a week later by beating second-placed Bocking B 6-4. Neil Thompson was a revelation in this match, taking his three singles which included wins against both Robin Armstrong and Barry Pritchard. ECC D who could only field one player against OCs B paid the price and lost heavily 9-1. They also find themselves firmly caught up in the battle to avoid relegation.

Writtle B, leaders of division four were another side to struggle, as they were held to a draw by EPHQ, who were second to bottom. Ian Hockley was the architect of the Police team's efforts taking his three singles the hard way - 11-9 in the deciding end against Chris Hibbitt, 11-5 in the fifth end against Hector Rogers and 12-10, 12-10, 13-11 against Matthew Brown. A week later and Writtle produced a much better performance as they disposed of Danbury F 8-2. An undefeated Matthew Brown led the way. Danbury F also tasted victory as they got the better of ECC F 7-3. Paul Durrands turned in an unbeaten performance this time. Bottom side ECC F were another side to fare much better the next week, holding OCs C to a draw. Their leading player Jeff Lewington took his three singles and Mohammed Mohseni contributed a most welcome 9-11, 11-7, 16-14, 7-11, 11-9 victory over Stuart Wintle.

Second placed Danbury J "took no prisoners" this week as they disposed of a young Baddow Village G side 10-0 in division five. Strong performances all-round from Tim Pulham, Glen Laing and Mark Wheeler were the order of the day here. Bottom side ECC H on the other hand fared much better, as they held fourth placed Writtle C to a creditable draw. Colin Barham and Paul Triggs both won twice to counter the three wins achieved by Writtle's Tony Lambert.

Excalibur D who seem to have been playing "catch-up" with the two teams above them all season have finally moved to the top of the division six League table. A 9-1 win over Baddow Village I and a 6-4 victory against Baddow Village H means they are now in pole position. Craig McGarrigle and Keith Fitzjohn with five wins out of six singles were their two best players. Baddow Village H's Ron Arthur who beat both McGarrigle and Fitzjohn was easily their trickiest opponent. Fourth-placed Baddow Village L scored their fifth win of the season as they got the better of Ingatestone/Excalibur Combined 7-3. Eric Clift dominated the match as he stayed undefeated.

ECC J stay top of the CLICK League after beating OCs F 4-1. The O'Donnell brothers - Tommy and William only tasted defeat once as James Stapley got the better of Tommy 7-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9. OCs F in turn bounced back with a 3-2 victory over Baddow Village N. Alex Stone with victories over Stapley and Kane Lambert was responsible for both of the Baddow Village successes. OCs G who were second to bottom, rocketed up the table with two 4-1 wins. Their impressive 4-1 victory over Excalibur Knights was notable for the two wins achieved by Richard Rock whilst their 4-1 victory against Baddow Village O was especially memorable for the Baddow girls' side, it represented their first point of the season. A battling Kath Austin came out on top 9-11, 11-5, 11-9 11-6 after a tough encounter against Ed Hamilton.