DATELINE Monday 13 February 2006

Lightning-quick David Cole retained his Mens Singles title with as powerful a display of forehand attacking Table Tennis as you could hope to see at the M&G Investments Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Finals Night, played at the Old Chelmsfordians Club on Monday 13 February 2006. Rik James gave his all in a highly entertaining clash and he matched Cole point for point for the first three ends of the Final, but it was Cole whose hitting was right at the top of his powers who broke free in the fourth end to run out a 11-9, 17-15, 12-14, 11-5 winner. This was Cole's third Mens Singles title to add to his successes in 1986 and 2005. Next year both Cole and James will be bidding to become the first Veteran to capture both the Mens and Veterans Crowns in the same year since the legendary Charlie Wheeler achieved the feat in 1955.

League Chairman Norman Smith, stands proudly with Anna Emtage of sponsors M&G Investments and the Mayor & Mayoress of Chelmsford Councillor & Mrs Duncan Lumley as they wait to present the trophies at Finals Night on Monday 13th February

Referee John Jennings waits for the off on the M&G Investments sponsored Finals Night. John together with Arthur Clark were the official referees for the evenings matches

David Cole produced a scintillating display of attacking table tennis to retain the Men's Singles Crown that he won last year.
The Mayor of Chelmsford Councillor Duncan Lumley presents the trophy
to climax an evening of great sport and rich entertainment

Rik James opened the proceedings with his Mens Singles Semi-Final clash with Tony Halling, and the key here was Rik's greater experience as a nervous Tony grappled to make any impact for the first two ends. Tony's game finally snapped into top gear in the third end and he hit a number of sparkling forehand winners as he stormed into a 10-5 lead. However, it wasn't quite enough and in what must have been agonising for Tony, Rik pulled level at 10-10. Tony's chance had evaporated and Rik managed to capture the next two points for a more comfortable win than he might have anticipated. Game to Rik 11-6, 11-4, 12-10.

The second Semi-Final paired Dave Cole with inform County Veteran star George Reeves and George gave Dave a really good run for his money. Both players hit a number of crunching forehand winners as both players initiated some great openings from their tight services. George came through strongly to take the second end although David reasserted himself with a very powerful display in the third end. The fourth end was tight all the way and it was a relieved David who finally edged home 11-9, 6-11, 11-4, 11-9.

Rik James capped his first appearance in the event by capturing the Veterans Singles title, but he was fully extended by a battling Peter Hayden. Blessed with rather better touch than most players can dream of Peter showed real poise in blocking Rik's fierce top spins to all corners of the table. It was only when Rik was able to angle his powerful topspin loops right into the very corners of the table that Peter had to relinquish the points. With plenty of wise-cracks from both players this match was played with a real sense of fun and many people will have been greatly disappointed that it did not go to a fourth end. Rik ran out a 11-6, 11-8, 11-9 Champion.

Always a favourite with the crowd
Rik James, together with Peter Hayden - clubmates at Bocking - put on a great show for the Vets Singles final.
But this is the nearest that Peter was going to get to the trophy! Although he made Rik fight for every point there was only going to be one winner.
Essex County TTA Chairman John Andrews, one of several special guests at Finals Night, presents the trophy.

Dave Cole and Julie Vansertima were odds on Favourites to retain their Mixed Doubles title, and they did not disappoint taking the title with a 11-8, 11-4, 11-9 success against the generally steady and controlled play of Melanie Bonnett and Steve Kerns. Against such a strong pairing as David and Julie the tendency can be for the opposing male player to try and dominate too much. This proved to be Steve's undoing in the second game which proved to be the least evenly contested of the three ends.

It was a similar story in the Mens Doubles Final. Tony Halling and Charles Sweeney contributed towards a number of free-flowing loop to loop rallies but it was the far more experienced Rik James and Dave Cole pairing who always looked the more likely winners. They eventually ran out Champions by a 11-8.11-7, 12-10 margin, their seventh title together. For David this represented another land-mark, the tenth time he has captured this title.

On paper County Junior player Laura Pyman faced a really difficult task in the Ladies Singles Final against fifteen times Champion Julie Vansertima and for the first two ends Laura struggled to make a mark against such a strong opponent. No matter how good a shot Laura played it was returned "with interest" by Julie. To her credit Laura kept plugging away and she fared much better in the third end. She will have gained valuable experience despite her 11-2, 11-2, 11-7 defeat.

Anna Emtage of sponsors M&G Investments
presents Julie Vansertima with her 16th Ladies Singles trophy.
Julie had a tremendous tournament retaining the Mixed Doubles and Ladies Doubles titles adding the 2Down Singles crown and finishing up with another defence of the Ladies Singles title.

One should spare a thought for Vytas Rybakas who had to concede the Under 21 Singles Final due to illness. Tony Halling was awarded the title and will have been greatly disappointed that he did not get the opportunity to win it on the table.

The League were delighted to have the Mayor and Mayoress of Chelmsford - Councillor and Mrs. Duncan Lumley as well as Mrs Anna Emtage of their sponsors - M&G Investments in attendance. The League were also pleased to welcome along three of their Vice-Presidents - John Cook, Clive Rippon and Colin Wade.

Pictures: Courtesy of Arthur C Clark Studios (ETTA official photographer) & Graham Turner