Press Report

In what was a big week in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League, with the top teams coming face-to-face in the first and second divisions it was division two that produced the biggest upset. Second-placed Danbury C turned in a genuinely inspired performance to topple leaders Billericay Sports 7-3, arguably the best performance of the season so far. Eric Green, a stylish all-round player with a nice touch and an excellent defence has been showing improved form this season but here he really excelled and his three wins included a superb 3-1 success over British League Premier division star - Alex Green (no relation !), newly promoted to no. 63 on the ETTA Senior Mens Ranking List. However, this was also a great all-round Danbury team performance and Eric's team-mates Andrew Halling and Dave Calleja also played their part as they both scored notable wins over Keith Ashton. Danbury C also showed good form in beating third-placed Hatfield Peverel A 6-4. No "Green heroics" this time as he lost out against Peter Brownlow 3-1, but it was nevertheless another excellent all-round Danbury team showing. Dave Calleja and Dave Finlayson both scored fine wins over Brownlow to redress the balance. The battle for honours in what is a very strong division should be between these three sides although Maldon B also have a strong squad at their disposal. With Dave Bassett and Lee Prentice remaining undefeated they beat ECC B by an impressive 8-2 margin. Unable to call on the services of Prentice, Maldon found it harder going and had to settle for a 5-5 draw against Baddow Village B. Baddow's Ray Lawrence scored an excellent 3-1 win over Dave Bassett whilst team-mate Alistair Piper also won twice which included an equally fine 12-10 in the fifth end victory over John Cleasby.

In the first division second-placed ECC A scored their sixth win of the season as they beat leaders Elmtree Graphics A 6-4. Another British League Premier division star, Neil Charles was the difference between the two sides as he won his three singles and with Steve Joslin, he also had a share in a vital 3-0 doubles victory over Vytas Rybakas and John Holland. Mens Singles Champion Dave Cole was found wanting twice, succumbing to both Rybakas 6-11, 10-12, 11-3, 14-16 and to Holland 11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 7-11, 9-11. Bottom side Bocking A produced their best display of the season as they hammered Excalibur A 9-1. However, this was a full-strength Bocking side of Rik James, Peter Hayden and Kevin Gowlett and it is quite clear that if this trio play regularly Bocking will make a very swift climb up the table.Third-placed Maldon A are also going well, and the Dave Bowles/Hamish Innes strike-force was again on good form as they beat Baddow Village A 8-2. Baddow's Neil Gooday impressed with an excellent five-game win over Lee Prentice.

Hatfield Peverel B stay top in division three after beating ECC D 6-4 in a match where Neil Freeman again remained unbeaten. Meanwhile OCs A climbed into second position as they beat Excalibur C 7-3 with Steve Northcott and Robbie Burton both remaining undefeated. Further down the table and Danbury D came up trumps as they beat Danbury E 7-3 - as Peter Hance and Norman Smith hat-tricks gave the D side the ascendancy. In another Inter-Club match Baddow Village D shared the points with their C side. Duncan Elloy scored three good wins for the C side, particularly his outstanding 11-7, 13-11, 9-11, 11-7 success over Steve Muth.

Second-placed Hatfield Peverel C were the week's big winners in division four as they hammered ECC F 10-0. Strong performances from Keith Cullen, Jon Fieldsend and John Webber were the order of the day here. Leaders ECC E were also handsome winners and with Gary Copsey and Russel Forde staying undefeated they made no mistake as they beat Baddow Village E 8-2. Further down the table, Danbury H did well to get the better of OCs C 6-4. Glen Laing took his three singles which included a match-clinching five game success over John Watts. OCs were in turn 6-4 winners against Elmtree Graphics B. This time Watts completed his hat-trick of wins with a five game success over Tony Vassallo after one of the week's most determined fight-backs. The scoreline tells it's own story as Watts came through to win 4-11, 8-11, 11-0, 11-8, 12-10.

The two leading teams both scored convincing wins in division five. There was no stopping the leaders ECC G (Ian Rogers, Mick Storey and Richard Storey) as they whitewashed ECC H 10-0 whilst Excalibur D were also impressive 9-1 winners. The improving Eleni Manolitsaki impressed here as she joined Ian Butler in notching up three singles wins against Hatfield Peverel D. Third-placed EPHQ have slipped back. They lost ground on the leaders as they missed out 7-3 to Baddow Village G. Colin Gooday dominated the action here with a hat-trick of singles wins for the Baddow Village side. Worse followed for the Police as they were unable to raise a full side against Baddow Village F and missed out 7-3. Rykki Vansertima led the Baddow side to victory and his two wins included an excellent 14-12, 8-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9 victory over Ian Hockley.

Second-placed Baddow Village K lost ground in division six by losing 6-4 to Ingatestone Excalibur. Jamie Cheesman, with three singles wins did the most damage whilst Stewart Hiskey won twice which included a hard-fought if fluctuating 9-11, 11-1, 11-8, 5-11, 12-10 win over Alex Stone. Baddow Village K were also held to a draw by the Baddow Village L side. Aadm Pitt scored a hat-trick for the L side with Alex Stone's two wins for the K side going some way to redress the balance. Things went more to form in the clash between ECC J and OCs E. The young County Council side ran out as 8-2 winners after an undefeated William O'Donnell took his three singles. Vitus Luk picked up a surprise win for the Old Boys, a very hard-fought 3-11, 5-11, 12-10, 12-10, 12-10 victory over Dacre Pell. In the match between Baddow Village H and OCs E there were also few surprises. The very experienced Baddow Village side of Chris High (two wins), Ron Arthur (three wins) and Fred Henwood (three wins) ran out comfortable 8-2 winners.

In the CLICK League Baddow Village M closed the gap on the leaders Hylands School as they ran out convincing 5-0 winners over Excalibur Knights. Tom Lee and Matthew Davis were both on top form as they raced through their games in commanding fashion. Meanwhile Hylands School were notching up their sixth win of the season as they beat OCs H 4-1. Kane Lambert made his mark for the losers with a 3-0 victory over Chris Lee. Lambert was also on target against Ingatestone Boys Club and he won both of his singles as OCs H beat Ingatestone Boys Club 4-1. The match between Ingatestone Boys Club and OCs G was notable for the fact that all four players picked up one singles win. Jack Osbourn was succesful in the closest encounter as he beat Alex Law 12-10, 7-11, 9-11, 13-11, 14-12 but it wasn't enough to prevent OCs G shading the match 3-2.

M&G 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 can be found 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.