Press Report

Bocking A, the surprise package in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League this season were brought crashing down to earth this week, and although they should go on to obtain promotion comfortably they found themselves beaten 6-4 by an inspired Maldon B. Bocking's top player Kevin Gowlett can't put a foot wrong at present and here he again won his three singles, albeit twice at deuce in the fifth end as both John Cleasby and Dave Bassett pushed him all the way. And all three Maldon players - Bassett, Cleasby and Northern Irish Veteran international Jenny Harrison produced some superb play as all three of them beat both Richard Jennings and James Mullane. An excellent performance from the Maldon side.

Excalibur A have been the surprise package in division one and a series of excellent results has seen them climb into fourth position. They drew 5-5 with Maldon A as only a hat-trick from Maldon's redoubtable Over 60s County Veteran star Ray Murray prevented them winning the match. Matthew Fasanya and Nigel Lamb hit back by winning twice to ensure the points were shared. Against Danbury B they found themsleves on the wrong end of a 6-4 result after an inform Jon Hill had taken his three singles. Hill impressed with a 3-1 victory over Clacton Mens Singles Champion Gary Young whilst Young in turn hit back by coming through a marathon tussle 8-11, 11-9, 13-11, 9-11, 13-11 against Ian Whiteside. What should have been a cracking match to decide who finishes second turned out to be something of a damp squib when Rawreth could only field two players against Elmtree Graphics A. Tony Halling impressed by beating John Holland 3-0 but with Vytas Rybakas beating Halling 3-2 and with John Holland getting the better of George Reeves 3-0 Elmtree were never really in trouble and duly won 7-3.

Division three really must be one of the most evenly matched in the history of the League. A mere 13 points covers the leading and bottom placed teams whereas in divsion one for example there is a 42 point margin between the top and bottom placed sides. When leaders Excalibur B met fourth placed Bocking B a draw was always the most likely result and sure enough the match ended all square. Excalibur's Richard Hiskey took his three singles but Robin Armstrong and Barry Pritchard hit back for Bocking as they both won twice.

Writtle B with a two point lead and a game in hand are firmly in the driving seat in division four after second-placed Danbury H were held to a draw by fourth-placed Danbury G. Neil Want was the best player on view as he took his three singles whilst Dave Goody and Paul Oliver fared best for the G side. Danbury scored four vital points as they also beat Elmtree Graphics B 8-2 as an undefeated Jean Chasmer hit top form. Melanie Bonnett impressed for the losers as she beat both Janet Pannell and Mick Robinson. Third-placed OCs C will probably have resigned themselves to the fact that promotion is beyond them after being held to a draw by lowly EPHQ. Francis Whitbread whose form hasn't been quite so consistent this year was bang on form this time as he stayed unbeaten. After scraping home 11-4, 11-6, 13-15, 4-11, 14-12 against Alan Offord he made no mistake as he beat Tony Cohen 3-1 and Stuart Wintle 3-0. OCs did better against Danbury F where they managed to win 6-4. No single player stayed undefeated as Wintle and Cohen both picked up doubles. Danbury's Ken Sheard managed to win his third singles, and what a topsy-turvy game it was. He beat David Porter 11-3, 6-11, 5-11, 11-6, 15-13.

Danbury J moved into second place in division five after beating OCs D 7-3. Mark Wheeler took his three singles whilst OCs's Nigel Parmenter also impressed as he overcame Glenn Laing 7-11, 4-11, 13-11; 11-9, 11-6. ECC H gave themselves an outside chance of avoiding relegation as they played well to beat Danbury K 7-3. Both Tom Hill and Paul Triggs stayed undefeated on this occasion. Baddow Village G on the other hand probably have too much to do to avoid being demoted. Despite giving a good account of themselves Hatfield Peverel E were just too strong as Mike Bard led his team to a 7-3 victory. Steve Clift with two wins was the best of the Baddow players.

Baddow Village J's ambitions of winning the division six title took a major blow when they lost 6-4 to Baddow Village H. It just wasn't a good night for the youngsters - Rykki Vansertima, Haydn Upson and Phil Twite who all lost to Chris High, Rykki going down by an agonising 8-11, 11-2, 12-10, 8-11, 9-11 margin in the last game of the evening. Haydn Uspon also found himself slowed down by the steady retrieving play of Baddow Village H no. four Fred Henwood who beat him 7-11, 13-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5. A disappointing night for the young Baddow side.

Writtle A who have two games in hand and Excalibur D with three games in hand are now firmly in the driving seat and Baddow who have led the table for much of the season look almost certain to miss out. Writtle's Anthony Hill, Anne Lockhart and Kevin Barber all won twice as they beat OCs E 7-3. Nat Ravlic who took his three singles prevented Writtle from taking all four points. Excalibur D made no mistake as they beat OCs E 8-2, a strong allround team performance from Craig McGarrigle, Eleni Manolitsaki and Keith Fitzjohn. Bottom side Baddow Village I gave a good account of themselves against Baddow Village L despite losing 6-4. Adam Pitt took his three singles, an impressive performance which included wins over Dianne Pitt, Eric Clift and Jacqueline Smith.

OCs G produced a surprise in the CLICK League as they beat the higher placed ECC K 4-1. Richard Rock won twice and son Nick won once. Dacre Pell was on target for ECC as he came through over five closely fought ends : 8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7 against Nick.