Press Report

Maldon A have been the surprise package in division one of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League this season and their latest result, a convincing 9-1 win over Writtle A means they are very much involved in the battle for honours. County Veteran stars Hamish Innes and Peter Ballard both win their three singles whilst Lee Prentice won twice. Prentice was also involved in the League's closest individual game of the season when he beat Trevor Carter 11-6, 9-11, 11-4, 25-23 after a marathon fourth end. Leaders ECC A are still the team everyone else has to beat and they produced a good performance to beat a Bocking team which included Rik James, 9-1. British League Premier division star Neil Charles was again undefeated.

Division two leaders Danbury C lost their 100 % record when they were held to a draw by Baddow Village B. Eric Green again took his three singles with room to spare but the Baddow Village players held their own very well against Dave Finlayson and Dave Calleja. Chelmsford Ladies Singles Champion Julie Vansertima recorded a fine win over Dave Finlayson, Adrian Pitt made his mark by beating Dave Calleja whilst Ray Lawrence went one better beating both Calleja and Finlayson.

In division three Danbury D produced their best display of the season as they beat Baddow Village C 8-2. League President Norman Smith came back from two games down to defeat Mike Johnston and thereafter he couldn't put a foot wrong as he raced home 3-0 against both Duncan Elloy and Alistair Brown. Danbury E, on the other hand were well beaten, 8-2, by Hatfield Peverel B. Greg Green was a three-time winner whilst his team-mates Neil Freeman and Guy McKenzie both won twice. Neil Want fared best of the Danbury players as he beat both Neil Freeman and Guy McKenzie.

Tim Pulham has been on excellent form in division four this season and this week he led Danbury H to a 7-3 victory against Elmtree Graphics B. Pulham had to work hard to beat Tony Vassallo but he eventually prevailed 6-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9. ECC G are looking near certainties to win this division and they had few problems beating Danbury F 9-1. Russell Forde and Garry Copsey were both undefeated whilst new signing Gus Heath won twice, only missing out narrowly in the last game of the night 11-5, 7-11, 8-11, 11-8, 8-11 to a battling Paul Durrands. Hatfield Peverel C just shaded it 6-4 against Danbury G. Jon Fieldsend and Keith Cullen both won twice to counter the two victories that Danbury's Dave Powell picked up.

In division five Haydn Upson stole the show in the all-Junior clash between Baddow Village F and ECC H. Upson took a hat-trick of wins which included an excellent success against Holly Stubbings by a 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 4-11, 12-10 margin as well as an equally impressive victory over Tom Hill by a 11-6, 6-11, 15-13, 5-11, 11-7 scoreline. The match ended all-square. EPHQ emerged as 8-1 winners against Hatfield Peverel D after one game had to be conceded. Ian Hockley was the best player on view although he had to dig deep before he got the better of Dave Bridge 9-11, 12-10, 12-10, 11-8 in the last game of the evening.

The young Baddow Village L side did well to beat Baddow Village J in a hard-fought division six clash. Essex no. one Under 13 Girl Hannah Pitt won twice and this included a hard-fought five-game success over her Mum - Dianne by a 11-9, 6-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8 scoreline. Hannah excelled as she also beat Ian Austin convincingly 11-6, 11-9, 11-2. Diane also made her mark and she won twice which included a 9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 13-11 victory over Adam Pitt (no relation). Richard Napper also won twice for the L side although he was unable to contain Ian Austin, losing 7-11, 5-11, 5-11.