Press Report

The leading teams were all convincing winners this week in the first division of the Central Essex Summer Table Tennis League. Leaders Rayne A beat Stock 5-0 to make it six wins out of six and second placed SETTS A were never fully extended as they beat Baddow Village A 5-0. Frank Neil nevertheless gave a terrific account of himself taking games off such established performers as Django Fung and Peter Saunders. Hullbridge A stay third and they too registered a 5-0 victory seeing off OCs A. Adrian North made his mark here against George Pavitt before succumbing 4-11, 12-10, 4-11, 12-10, 8-11. Fourth-placed Hullbridge B also won, beating lowly Danbury A 4-1. The big shock here was the game that Hullbridge lost, with Tim Pang going down 3-1 to Malcolm Jacobs, one of the biggest upsets of the Summer season so far. Paul Grant won both his singles for Hullbridge with room to spare. Danbury A stay rooted to the foot of the table after also losing to OCs A 3-2. Adrian North lost to both Jacobs and Norman Smith and it was left to Robert Burton who won his two singles to hold the OCs side together.

Excalibur Locals were narrow 3-2 winners over Club-mates Excalibur International in division two, a result that enables them to jump into second place, above West Maldon. Richard Hiskey won both of his singles, drawn out affairs which involved five ends, as he beat both Eleni Manolitsaki and Michael Rostoft. However, a defeat with Dave Moles in the Doubles prevented them securing the extra point that would have seen them draw level with Baddow Village B at the top of the table. Excalibur International collected another four points as they beat Baddow Village C 4-1, only Diane Pitt's win over Eleni Manolitsaki escaping them. There was no joy for Baddow Village C against Danbury C either, as they crashed 5-0 with all games decided three-straight. Norman Hayes and Ray Beckwith proving that little bit too strong for Mick Pitt and Eric Clift.

OCs B completed their season's fixtures with a 4-1 victory over ECC, and having amassed a total of 23 points they must now wait and see if they have done enough to win the tight third division. David Porter was undefeated against ECC although Dacre Pell hit back with his victory over Matthew Porter. OCs B had earlier lost 3-2 to Baddow Village E. Brian Shipley won both his singles, but try as they did Brian was unable to steer Matthew Porter through to a deciding set doubles victory. OCs had turned out their best side - Brian Shipley and David Porter against Danbury D and they showed their class as they won 5-0. Shipley's 6-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6 win over David Gatherall represented the pick of the night's action and looks to have been a game that would have graced division two.

Second-placed Excalibur Butlers are the team who have the most realistic chance of overhauling OCs B and they made no mistake as they beat ECC 4-1. ECC guru Arthur Clark made a rare Summer League appearance and he was target as he beat Chris Butler 3-0. The Butlers were unable to further their cause against Danbury D as they lost 3-2, a result of some significance when you consider OCs had managed to beat Danbury D 5-0. Ian Butler with wins over Matt Standen and Peter Sun was again the Butler's "strong man". Danbury D moved into fourth place with 4-1 wins over Baddow Village F and ECC. Peter Sun took his two singles very comfortably against Baddow Village F and appears a little strong for this division, whilst Adam Pitt was on target for the losers with his fine 11-9, 11-4, 11-8 victory over Matt Standen. ECC gave a good account of themselves against Danbury D, and look to have been hard done by to have lost 4-1. ECC's Dacre Pell had a battle-royal with James Gatherall with James coming through 6-11, 11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 12-10. Excalibur 6 Champs are unlikely to be celebrating this Summer although they did move into fifth place by beating Baddow Village D 4-1. Chelmsford Ladies Singles runner-up Linda Murray took her two singles whilst Sam Pitt made his mark for the losers with an excellent 11-9, 11-4, 11-9 victory over Craig McGarrigle.