Press Report

Billericay took a massive step towards claiming the second division title in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League by turning out a team containing no less than two British League Premier Division stars. There was no surprise that they beat their nearest rivals Danbury C 9-1 with a team which contained both Gary Tendler and Alex Green. Eric Green prevented the whitewash by beating Ray Eldridge. Tendler and Green were in action again a week later and they again dominated the action as Billericay beat Baddow Village B 8-2. Adrian Pitt and Ray Lawrence were on target as they both beat Keith Ashton. Danbury C were even less charitable when they faced ECC B storming home 10-0. Keith Phillips, Eric Green and Andrew Halling were all undefeated on this occasion.

In a week of clear-cut results in division two, the three other matches also produced resounding wins. ECC C led by an undefeated Gary Brignall beat Bocking B 8-2 whilst Maldon B had Jenny Harrison undefeated as they beat Excalibur B by the same scoreline. Third placed Hatfield Peverel A went one better as they hammered Bocking B 9-1. Dean Andrews notched up Bocking's sole win with a victory over John Parodi.

ECC A retained their first division title, the fifth consecutive year that one of Arthur Clark's very well run sides have been successful. ECC clinched the title with a 7-3 win over second-placed Elmtree Graphics A, a result that means that Elmtree could miss out on second place if Maldon A come through to overtake them. Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion David Cole proved yet again just what a valuable team member he is as his hat-trick of wins included successes over both Vytas Rybakas and John Holland. The improving Baddow Village A side also turned in a very good performance to beat Danbury B 7-3. Neil Gooday took a starring role with three excellent wins whilst Peter Barrett and Waseem Qureshi who both won twice also played their part in what was a fine all-round team performance.

The leaders OCs A took another two steps towards winning the division three title. They disposed of Baddow Village D 8-2 and ECC D 7-3 with Robert Burton winning all six of his singles. Burton's toughest test came from ECC's Clive Harding, where he had to pull out all the stops before sneaking home 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 14-12, 11-7. Second placed Hatfield Peverel B kept the pressure up on the leaders by beating ECC D 9-1 as Martyn Green and Neil Freeman were both undefeated. Elswehere, Danbury D emerged as 7-3 winners over Danbury E after an unbeaten Peter Hance had won his three singles. The battle between the two Smiths - Herbie and Norman produced a game of widely fluctuating fortunes before Norman finally edged home 11-3, 20-18, 15-17, 8-11, 12-10. Quite a battle !

Danbury H did well to beat OCs C for a second time in division four, but their 6-4 victory will still not be enough to enable them to overtake the Old Boys side. Danbury's Glenn Laing took his three singles whilst Adrian North with two wins was the best of the OCs team. The OCs side were more successful against ECC F notching up a 7-3 victory. John Watts won his three singles to ensure there were no upsets on this occasion. ECC E look unassailable in the top position and they made no mistake in beating Danbury G 8-2. ECC lost the first two games and it looked as if they might be in trouble but Russell Forde's fifth game win over Dave Powell turned the tide. From that moment it was all ECC as the County Council side of Forde, Gus Heath and Neil Thompson won the eight remaining games.

Runaway Divison five leaders ECC G became Champions as they beat fourth-placed Excalibur D 8-2. Colin Barham led the way as he stayed undefeated whilst Richard Storey and Mick Storey who both won twice provided excellent support. Second placed Danbury J also won 8-2 as they saw off OCs D. Norman Hayes led the way with three good wins, his last success, a hard-fought five setter against David Porter being the pick of the action. Hayes just held on to win 13-11, 11-9, 10-12, 6-11, 11-7.

ECC J Brother and Sister combination Dacre and Stevie Pell were on good form against OCs E, winning 8-2 in division six. Stevie's hat-trick of wins included a fine hard-fought 9-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-4 victory over Hector MacFarlane. Baddow Village J won by the same scoreline beating OCs E. An undefeated Ian Austin led the way this time.

Baddow Village M's vital 3-3 win over Hylands School has given them real hope of winning the CLICK League. It could hardly have been closer and Tom Lee's two wins plus a share in the Doubles gave Baddow Village a narrow advantage. Danny Harman and Matt Davis produced the closest match of the night with Danny just prevailing 11-9, 6-11, 6-11, 13-11, 13-11. The game between Tom Lee and Danny Pettit also produced a real thriller with Tom coming out on top 9-11, 11-8, 12-10, 13-11. Fielding a different side Baddow Village M were also successful against Ingatestone Boys Club where they won 4-1. Gavin Trodd won twice and Clare Austin once.