Press Report

OCs A are looking increasingly like the team to beat in division three of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. A 6-4 victory over third-placed Danbury D and a 7-3 success against Baddow Village C have further confirmed their superiority and they have now won an impressive eleven of their twelve matches. Their top player Steve Northcott was undefeated in both games and he received valuable support from Robert Burton and Roy Moore. Baddow's Duncan Elloy gave Northcott the most problems and he only succumbed 10-12, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 9-11. Second placed Hatfield Peverel B cleary haven't given up the chase just yet and they made no mistake as they beat bottom side Excalibur C 9-1. Greg Green (three wins), Neil Freeman (three wins) and Guy McKenzie (two wins) were all on good form with only Dave Mole's impressive victory over Guy McKenzie escaping their grasp. Third-placed Danbury D fell back, as they were well beaten, 7-3 by Baddow Village D. Steve Muth was the difference between the sides as he powered his way to three singles successes. Without Muth in their ranks, Baddow Village D were not the same force and they surrendered quite tamely, 7-3 to Writtle B. It was the Writtle Captain Matthew Brown who remained undefeated and he got the better of the up-and-coming Baddow reserve Bradley Hudgell 11-8, 7-11, 12-14, 11-9, 11-7 in his closest encounter.

Danbury C showed just how determined they are to win division two as they turned in a storming performance to hammer Maldon B 10-0. Eric Green, Andrew Halling and Dave Finlayson powered through their games, taking the final eight matches three-straight. Hatfield Peverel A are also going well at present, and although they look unlikely to catch either of the top sides - Danbury C or Billericay they have hit a rich vein of form. Bottom side Excalibur B were no match for them as they were brushed aside 9-1 as John Gagg and Peter Brownlow were both undefeated.

The second and third-placed sides, Elmtree Graphics A and Maldon A met in division One and it was honours shared. Vytas Rybakas, who came so close to winning the Essex Closed Mens Singles title at the weekend was again in top form winning his three singles whilst Maldon's Dave Bowles, another player who has been playing really well this year also made his mark beating both John Holland Ev Lucas. However, it is Peter Ballard's excellent 3-1 victory over John Holland that stands out the most, and the Maldon team look to have given a very strong account of themselves.

Elmtree Graphics B were twice 6-4 losers in division four. With Tony Vassallo taking his three singles they just missed out to the Baddow Village E side of Graham Turner, Bradley Hudgell and Mike Robinson who all won twice and they also went down to Danbury G. This time Dave Goody impressed by taking his three singles which included a fine 8-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 victory over Vassallo.

EPHQ reinforced their current third place in division five with a 7-3 victory over Danbury J. Ian Hockley was the difference between the two sides as he remained undefeated in his singles and also had a share in the Doubles success.

Chelmsford players produced many excellent performances in the 2006 Essex Closed Tournament played at the BATTS Club in Harlow last weekend. Vytas Rybakas (Elmtree Graphivs) fared best and he came very close to annexing the Mens Singles title. He eventually missed out 11-6, 7-11, 12-10, 2-11, 11-9 to the redoubtable Ian Attridge (Romford) in an excellent Final. Vytas should also be commended on battling his way through to the Final. He was unable to win his Group, losing in five games to Junior rival Yasir Mauthoor (Ilford) and as a result he had to contend with the number two seed Matthew Spero (Ilford) in the first round. After dropping the first two ends Vytas came through to win 6-11, 10-12, 11-7, 12-10, 11-3. Vytas then impressed with a 3-0 win over the lightning quick Daniel Bronziet (Ilford) and a fine 3-1 Semi-Final victory over another leading Veteran player Terry Guymer (Basildon) to book his place in the Final.

The unseeded pairing of Paul Davison (ECC) and Jon Hill (Danbury) were sensational winners of the Mens Doubles. As early as the first round they looked to be in trouble but they came back from 2-0 down to beat the young pairing of Taejoon Lee and Emran Hussain (Ilford) 8-11, 8-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-6. A round later and they were through again, this time with a superb 3-1 win over the top seeds Matthew Spero/Keith Lesser (Ilford). There was no stopping them in the Semi-Final when they beat Martin Kubrt/Ron Wilde (Harlow) 3-1 and they took the title with an 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9 win over the second seeds Steve Kerns (ECC) and Mark Wicker (Romford) in the Final.

Vytas Rybakas, the top seed justified his seeding by winning the Under 21 Mens Singles Event. But, he had to work hard to do so. Taejoon Lee (Ilford) only succumbed 11-8, 18-20, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5 after a real marathon. His Final victim, Yasir Mauthoor fears no body and Vytas was very relieved to come through 12-14, 11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9.

Kelly Skeggs (Bocking), an established member of the County Junior First team made no mistake in annexing the Ladies Singles title although it was Laura Pyman (Baddow Village) who caused the event's biggest upset as she beat fellow County Junior star Holly Stubbings (ECC) to claim the Runners-Up spot.

With a shortage of Ladies taking part the Mixed Doubles also had a very open look to it. And, it was County Junior second team performer Holly Stubbings (ECC) who eventually came out on top, paired with ECC Veteran Steve Kerns. Holly and Steve scored a fine 12-10, 7-11, 12-10, 14-12 win over the top seeds Paul Davison and Kelly Skeggs and just came out on top 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 13-11 in a hard-fought Final against Jon Hill and Vicki Stredder (who represents ECC in the Chelmsford League). Hill and Stredder had done well to beat Matthew Spero and Laura Pyman 3-1 a round earlier.

It was the Baddow Village girls - Laura Pyman and Hannah Pitt who dominated the Girls events. Laura was undefeated in the Girls Under 18 Singles which was played on a Round Robin basis. Romford's Kelly Drewry proved to be Laura's toughest opponent but she came through safely to win 5-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-9 to give her the victory which sealed the title. Hannah Pitt justified her top seeding by taking both the Under 15 Girls Singles Singles and the Under 13 Girls Singles titles. These events were also played on a Round Robin basis and in the decisive match Hannah saw off Daisy Hughes (Becontree) 11-7, 11-3, 12-10 to take the Under 13 title. Hannah was equally dominant at Under 15 level and she made no mistake by beating the second-placed Sara Akata (Becontree) 11-1, 6-11, 11-4, 11-4 when the two leading players met.