Press Report

ECC E are looking increasingly like the team to beat in division four of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. Comprehensive 9-1 victories over ECC F and Writtle C gives a good indication of the fine form they are in at present. Gary Copsey was undefeated in both matches whilst Russell Forde was also undefeated against ECC F with Neil Thompson taking his three singles against Writtle. On this form it is hard to see anyone else wresting the title away from them. OCs C who were expected to feature in this division failed to impress in their match against Hatfield Peverel C. The match ended all square after the "form-book" went out of the window. Peverel's Keith Cullen missed out 10-12, 11-9, 11-3, 12-14, 10-12 against David Porter in a five game thriller but he hit back in great style in his remaining singles by securing excellent wins over John Watts and Adrian North. The all Danbury clash between the G and H sides finished level at 5-5, after Tim Pulham had won his three singles for the H side. Brian Ellis proved to be the "trickiest nut" to crack as he pulled level with Pulham before Tim finally sneaked home 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 7-11, 12-10. The other Danbury side in this division, the F team also managed to draw, doing well to share the points with Baddow Village E. Graham Turner held the Baddow Village side together with his hat-trick of wins.

In the first division second-placed ECC A scored their fourth win of the season as they beat Baddow Village A 8-2, although the plaudits deservedly headed in the direction of the still-improving Waseem Qureshi. He played superbly to beat both Paul Davison and Steve Joslin at deuce in the fifth end. Promoted Bocking A have made a miserable start to the season and without their best players they were no match for Maldon A. Dave Bowles, Hamish Innes and Dave Bassett coasted through this match to record a 10-0 win as eight of the nine singles were decided three-straight. Maldon A also gave last year's Champions ECC A a real test before ECC emerged as 7-3 winners. Dave Bowles who has been enjoying something of a resurgence this season carried on in the same vein with superb wins over Dave Cole and Steve Joslin and ECC were relieved that they had Neil Charles playing for them as his three singles wins ensured they came out on top. At the other end of the table the match between Writtle A and Excalibur A ended all square, with no player winning all three singles. The match between Gary Ward and Gary Young was a furious encounter with Ward coming back from the dead to shade it 3-11, 9-11, 15-13, 11-8, 15-13.

Alex Green is the talk of the League at present, and it is difficult to remember a player of his strength playing in the second division before. Indeed, it has to be said that Billericay may have set a "record of sorts" against Excalibur C as their side of Alex Green, current England no. seven lady Natalie Bawden and Keith Ashton may well be the strongest side ever to have played in a Chelmsford League second division match. The 10-0 win was no surprise and all first division players will be keen to pit their skills against the talents of Natalie and Alex next season. Danbury C are also going well and they impressed by beating Bocking B 8-2. Both Dave Finlayson and Eric Green were undefeated. Hatfield Peverel A are involved in the battle for second place with Danbury C and their three players all contributed as they beat ECC 7-3. John Gagg was back to his best as he won his three singles. Elsewhere in this division, Kelly Skeggs, a member of the Essex Junior first team made her Chelmsford League debut and although she failed to win a game she came close and certainly gave "evergreen" hard-bat Veteran Dave Finlayson plenty of problems before succumbing 5-11, 12-14, 12-14. Bocking fared better against Maldon B and did very well to secure a draw. Maldon's Lee Prentice displayed his true form as he won his three singles whilst Bocking's Barry Pritchard impressed with his five-set win over Northern Ireland Veteran international Jenny Harrison. In the last game of a gruelling match Robin Armstrong earned his side their draw with his hard-fought 8-11, 7-11, 11-8, 14-12, 11-9 victory over Brian Riedling.

A strong looking Baddow Village D were the week's big winners in division three as they beat ECC D 8-2. Steve Muth and Stuart Skippings were both undefeated. Bottom-placed Excalibur C scored five much needed points as they drew with Danbury E. Michael Rostoft held the Excalibur side together with three singles wins whilst Janet Pannell and Jean Chasmer both won twice for the Danbury side. Third placed OCs A who have a game in hand are expected to challenge for honours but they met their match in second-placed Hatfield Peverel B. Steve Northcott and Robert Burton (OCs) and Neil Freeman and Greg Green (Hatfield Peverel) all won two singles.

Division five leaders ECC G moved four points clear at the top of the table by beating Hatfield Peverel D 8-2. Richard Storey took his three singles whilst Mick Storey won twice. Mick's victory over Colin Powell by a 2-11, 10-12, 11-4, 11-4, 12-10 margin has all the ingredients of a game which ebbed one way and then the other. Second- placed Excalibur D dropped back as they were only able to beat Baddow Village G 6-4. Ian Butler won his three singles, although the closest game of the night featured Baddow Village no. four Phil Twite and Keith Fitzjohn which Fitzjohn shaded 13-11, 9-11, 13-15, 11-7, 11-9. Danbury J in turn moved up the table as they beat ECC H 8-2 in a match where Ray Beckwith and Peter Sun both won their three games. Writtle D, had Anne Lockhart to thank as they beat ECC H 7-3. Anne's steady play really came into it's own in this match as she beat three leading Junior players - Tom Hill, Holly Stubbings and Lorna Staff.

Division six leaders Danbury K beat second placed Baddow Village K 6-4 in the top of the table clash. Roger Tiffin (three wins) and Peter Sun (two wins) dominated the action to such an extent that Danbury were able to overcome the handicap of being a player short. Alex Stone fared best of the Baddow players as he beat Peter Sun 3-1. Baddow in turn added a maximum haul of 10 points to their total as they beat OCs F 10-0. Stone, Andrew Orme and Eric Clift were all on target. Baddow further consolidated their grip on second place by beating third placed ECC J 6-4. An undefeated Holly Stubbings was ECC's best player whilst Eric Clift and Alex Stone (who both won twice) played their part by keeping Baddow in the match. In the end Mick Pitt's narrow 11-9, 11-13, 8-11, 11-5, 11-8 victory over William O'Donnell proved decisive in earning Baddow their victory. It was a case of experience coming out on top when Baddow Village L faced Baddow Village H, as the H team's Ron Arthur took his three singles. Adam Pitt and Richard Napper both won twice for the L side which meant the match eventually finished all square. Ingatestone Excalibur in turn picked up their first win of the season as they beat Baddow Village H 6-4. Jamie Cheesman was on top form for the Ingatestone side as he took his three singles downing Ron Arthur 10-12, 12-10, 12-14, 11-6, 11-6 in a last game thriller, a match very worthy of deciding which team went home as Winners. Jamie Cheesman was also the best player in his side's 5-5 draw with Baddow Village L. This time he had to pull out all the stops against Richard Napper and he eventually came through 11-2, 11-8, 7-11, 10-12, 11-7. The match between ECC J and Baddow Village L saw two games decided at deuce in the fifth end. Adam Pitt came through a real nail-biter 11-9. 10-12, 7-11, 12-10, 16-14 against William O'Donnell whilst William hit back by getting the better of Diane Pitt 8-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9, 14-12 in his second singles. With Holly Stubbings taking her three singles ECC eventually emerged as fairly comfortable 7-3 winners.

The battle for honours in the CLICK League looks to be between Hylands School and Baddow Village M. Fittingly, the match between the two sides was a close one and it was Baddow who shaded it 3-2. Colin Matthews was no match for Tom Lee but he hit back well in his second singles by beating Matthew Davis 3-1. Hylands School made no mistake against Baddow Village O as they ran out comfortable 5-0 winners. Their side of Chris Lee, Aaron Piper and Danny Pettit carried all before them which was particularly good going bearing in mind that Baddow Village O are in third place. The Baddow Village O side also tasted success, as they came out on top against Excalibur Knights, winning 4-1. Claire Austin won twice which included her hard-fought 11-8, 7-11, 11-9, 12-10 victory over Craig Hiskey. Baddow Village M in turn made no mistakes as they beat OCs G 5-0. Tom Lee and Matthew Davis were that little bit too strong for Alex and Andrew Law on this occasion . More success followed for Hylands School as they beat Excalibur Knights 4-1. Colin Matthews won his two singles for Hylands School whilst Craig Hiskey ensured that Excliabur didn't go home empty-handed by getting the better of Edward White.

Quiz Night - All players are reminded that the League's Quiz Night takes place this Saturday (19 November 2005) at the Writtle Sports & Social Club, Paradise Street, Writtle at 19.30 hours. Teams may include up to six members at a cost of £ 18.00 per team. Please contact Brian Cook on telephone no. 01245-467787 to book a table.

Old Rubbers and Blades - The League are currently undertaking a large Coaching programme. It is always beneficial to the Coaches if they can acquire decent equipment and therefore it would be appreciated if any players who have old rubbers and/or blades that they no longer require could pass them on to the League's Coaching Officers. Anyone who is able to assist is requested to contact Neil Gooday on telephone no. 01245-354221 or Adrian Pitt on telephone no. 01245-250710.

Chelmsford Closed Tournament - All players are reminded that the closing date for entering the League's Annual Closed Tournament is Monday 5 December 2005. Entry forms are in the centre of the League's Handbook and should be sent either direct or via Club Secretaries to the Competition Organiser - Arthur Clark, 2 Top Road, Woodham Walter, Chelmsford, Essex, CM9 6RQ.