Press Report

Writtle A surprised many people last season by avoiding relegation from division one of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League and on their opening showing mid-table respectability looks a distinct possibility this year. Rawreth A fielded a team of Steve Maltby, Josh Lovett and Charles Sweeney, not their best line-up by any means but they will still have been shocked to have been despatched 7-3. Writtle's Gary Ward scored three excellent wins and Trevor Carter (two wins) and Kevin Worthington (one win) provided excellent support. Excalibur A who excelled last season started this year with a 5-5 draw against promoted Baddow Village A. Neil Gooday stole the show for Baddow with a superb hat-trick of wins over George Pavitt, Nigel Lamb and Tim Pang. Last year's Champions ECC A were flattered slightly by the 10-0 margin of their victory over Danbury B as Paul Davison was involved in two matches that could have gone either way. He had to pull out all the stops to beat Dave Finlayson 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9 and in the doubles Davison and Steve Joslin were very fortunate to come through 9-11, 13-11, 10-12, 11-6, 18-16 against a battling Finlayson and Tony Forster. With players of the calibre of Neil Charles, Dave Cole and Matt Staines to call on ECC A again start the season as the favourites although they could well face a new challenge this year. Promoted Bocking A with an all star-side of Rik James, Peter Hayden and Kevin Gowlett will also take some beating if this trio turns out regularly.

Maldon B turned out a strong side in division two and will be slightly disappointed to have been held to a draw by E2V Technologies, although this should not be allowed to detract from the excellent performance that E2V's undefeated Dave Richardson turned in. Dave Bassett won twice and if Lee Prentice can rediscover his best form this side should be up there challenging for honours. Relegated Billericay, led by an undefeated Ray Eldridge made a winning start as they beat ECC B 6-4 whilst Bocking B turned in an eye-catching performance as they disposed of Excalibur B 8-2. Richard Jennings led the way with a hat-trick. Hatfield Peverel A, the other relegated side should also be involved in the battle for honours and they too made a winning start, although they were hard pushed to get the better of Baddow Village B. Peter Brownlow was their match-winner with three victories whilst Chelmsford Ladies Singles Champion Julie Vansertima impressed for Baddow with excellent wins over John Gagg and Dave Carter. A new look Danbury C side also impressed with a 7-3 success over ECC C. New signings Eric Green (three wins) and Dave Calleja (two wins) both did well and with old-hand Dave Finlayson also winning twice this team have a well balanced look about them. On this showing they too will be challenging for honours.

Division three produced three eye-catching 9-1 results. OCs A (Steve Northcott, reserve Nat Ravlic and Robert Burton) produced what was certainly the result of the week as they hammered a strong Danbury D side 9-1. Nicky Reece-Ford (one win), Gordon Gatherall and Malcolm Jacobs must have been totally dumb-founded by the margin of this defeat !. Hatfield Peverel B also made a very impressive start to their season as Neil Freeman and Father/Son duo Martyn and Greg Green outplayed Baddow Village C whilst ECC D were equally on top of things as Clive Harding, newcomer Trevor Roberts and Peter Layzell crushed Exclaibur C. Writtle B versus Baddow Village D produced a closer match with Writtle winning 7-3. Matthew Brown and Hector Rogers both took their three singles.

Danbury H and Elmtree Graphics B are the early leaders in division four. Danbury made a great start as they hammered ECC F 9-1. Tim Pulham, Kevin Willlis and Glen Laing were always in charge. However, Elmtree Graphics B will start the season as favourites and if they turn out a side containing Ev Lucas, Tony Vassallo and Graham Pryke regularly they will take some stopping. Baddow Village E put up a determined effort but the margin of Elmtree's victory - 9-1 wasn't a great surprise. Danbury G have also started well and they had Dave Goody undefeated as they beat Writtle C 8-2 whilst ECC E also made a winning start to the season as they beat a two-man Hatfield Peverel C 7-3. Peverel's Keith Cullen impressed as he beat both Andy Hanlon and Russell Forde.

EPHQ were "quick out of the blocks" in division five as they turned in a powerful performance against Danbury J. Calvin Wright and Ian Hockley were both undefeated in their 9-1 victory. ECC G were also comfortable winners as they disposed of OCs D 8-2 as Richard Storey and Ian Rogers both picked up their three singles whilst Excalibur D also pulled off an 8-2 victory. Craig McGarrigle and Ian Butler both turned in undefeated performances.

Division six has been dominated by the more experienced sides in recent years, so it was good to see the young ECC J side make a succesful debut in the "main" League. Dacre Pell, Steve Pell and Tommy O'Donnell were all on target as they shaded the match 6-4 against Baddow Village H, although none of their players were able to get the better of Ron Arthur. Elsewhere another young side - Baddow Village L turned in a very powerful performance to beat OCs F 9-1 with Adam Pitt, Matt Skeoch and Richard Napper dominating the action. Baddow Village J versus Baddow Village K produced a closer game and it was the K side who came through to win 6-4. An undefeated Alex Stone took his three singles.

Newcomers Hylands School made a great start in the CLICK League. Colin Matthews, Aaron Piper and Dan Harman turned in a powerful performance to eclipse Ingatestone Boys Club 5-0. Matthews in particular looked to have plenty in hand as he beat both Lee Cranmer and Jack Osbourne comfortably.