Press Report

Billericay have taken a firm grip on division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League and even after a mere five games they lead the table by a massive eleven points. Maldon B were the latest side to succumb to them as they were brushed aside 8-2. Dave Bassett fared best of the Maldon players as he beat both Keith Ashton and Marilyn Bawden but Alex Green's clean-sheet ensured Maldon were always in control. Elsewhere, second-placed Hatfield Peverel B suffered their second defeat of the season as they succumbed to E2V Technologies 6-4. Dave Richardson controlled proceedings with three singles victories. ECC C scored their first win of the season as they beat ECC B 7-3, in a match where Simon Webber stole the show by securing three excellent wins over Trevor Collin, Colin Blore and Bryn Thomas. A new look Danbury C have also made a rapid climb up the table and with new-signing Keith Phillips taking his three singles they were impressive 7-3 winners over Maldon B. If this line-up of Dave Finlayson, Phillips and Eric Green continue to play regularly expect this side to be in contention for honours. Baddow Village B also did well to win as they had to field a reserve. However, with Adrian Pitt winning his three singles they still had the upper-hand and they beat Excalibur B 6-4.

In the first division, last year's Champions ECC A were the week's most clear-cut winners as they hammered Writtle A 10-0. "No prisoners" were taken here as the ECC trio of Dave Cole, Paul Davison and Steve Joslin won seven of the ten games three-straight. Current leaders Elmtree Graphics A duly notched up their fifth win of the season as they beat Excalibur A 8-2, although they may have expected their victory to have been even more clear-cut. George Pavitt and Nigel Lamb both secured surprise wins over former Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion Reagan Nettleingham. Rawreth A were also 8-2 winners, as Bocking A failed to make the impact they might have hoped for. George Reeves and new-signing Josh Lovett were both undefeated although Bocking's James Mullane also made his mark with his excellent victory over Graeme Hurry. Maldon A climbed into third place, after their excellent 7-3 win over Danbury B. Maldon's Lee Prentice, whose form in the second division has been rather disappointing fared much better here with three excellent singles win over Ian Whiteside, David Jacobs and Jon Hill. It will be interesting to see how here he fares in his next match !.

Writtle B and Hatfield Peverel B, first and second in division three met this week and the match fittingly ended all square. Peverel raced into a 4-1 lead before Writtle hit back by taking the next five games. Peverel's Neil Freeman with a full-house of wins was the best player on the night. Peverel B were involved in another close match against Baddow Village D where they eventually won 6-4, and this time Greg Green took charge of proceedings by winning his three singles. Freeman won twice, although he was found wanting against Frank Neill. Baddow Village C scored their first win of the season, and it was a conclusive one at that. Duncan Elloy and Graham Turner were both undefeated as they beat Excalibur C 8-2. ECC D who are in fourth place, but with a game in hand are still very much in contention in this division and they played well to beat Danbury D 6-4. Trevor Roberts who worked hard to record three singles successes was their match-winner. Danbury E also emerged as 6-4 winners over Baddow Village D in a match where no single player took all three singles and no single player went home empty handed. Danbury's Mick Robinson and Dave Goody and Baddow's Steve Back all won twice. Dave Goody's performance perhaps deserves top billing as he only found out he was playing on the night. A great effort !.

Division four, is rather like division three in that it is a low-scoring affair so far and it is Hatfield Peverel C who top the table with a modest total of 30 points from five games. At this early stage it is possibly ECC E with 28 points from four games who hold a narrow advantage. It was certainly ECC E who turned in the more impressive performance this week, as they hammered fourth placed Danbury H 9-1. Gary Copsey and Russell Forde who have gradually been getting their games together all season suddenly hit top form on the same night as they produced a real top-notch performance. Danbury Team Captain John Knights who loves to make a wry comment or ten after his side's matches summed this defeat up in typical lyrical fashion - "After this performance we hoped the fixture list might give us an Away match, but, no, I see we have another fixture at Dawson's Field next week !." Keep the comments coming John - they are always welcome !.

Division four leaders Hatfield Peverel C were 6-4 winners this week over Elmtree Graphics B, a hard fought affair in which none of their players were able to get the better of Tony Vassallo. Danbury G fared better against Elmtree beating them 8-2, although in defence to Elmtree they were without Vassallo on this occasion. Brian Ellis took full advantage by winning his three singles. Further down the table OCs C gave bottom side Writtle C something of a lesson as they raced home 9-1 winners. John Watts (three wins), David Porter (two wins) and Adrian North (two wins) all looked to be on good form. ECC F were another side to produce their best play of the season as they beat Danbury F 8-2. Jeff Lewington had to work hard for his wins against both Paul Durrands and Paul Oliver but his extra class (he has division two title winning experience remember) showed as he came through in the fifth end both times.