Press Report

Faced with a tough run-in it was vital for first division strugglers Writtle A that they turned in a good performance against Bocking A. They must have been pleased that neither Rik James or Peter Hayden turned out for Bocking but they were still unable to take advantage and duly lost 7-3. Bocking's reserve, County Junior first-team star Kelly Skeggs caused them most problems and her excellent trio of wins, all in the fifth end left them needing to beat Maldon A convincingly in their last match to avoid relegation. With Maldon in turn needing to win 7-3 to clinch second place this was never on the cards. Maldon found it tough going at times and it looked as if it might be beyond them when Gary Ward led Hamish Innes 2-0 in the last match. However, a determined Hamish held his nerve and came through to win 5-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-4 giving his side their vital seventh win. Dave Bowles was also undefeated. Excalibur A finished one place above Writtle and they completed their season with a victory, by beating Danbury B 7-3. Gary Young remained undefeated. Fourth-placed Rawreth also finished their season with a flourish and they beat Baddow Village A 8-2 with Tony Halling and Duncan Taylor both winning their three singles. Rawreth also became the first side to prevent the Champions ECC A from winning. The League's top player, Neil Charles retained his unbeaten record for the Season but "New Kid-on-the-Block" Josh Lovett and Tony Halling both beat Steve Kerns 3-2 which left the match tied at 5-5.

Seond division leaders Billericay left nothing to chance when they faced third-placed Hatfield Peverel A and the very strong Gary Tendler/Alex Green/Ray Eldridge combination won 9-1 to give them the title. With such a strong team (which might also include Natalie Bawden as well) they will be amongst the favourites to win the first division title next season. ECC B finished their season with a convincing 10-0 win over relegated Bocking as Trevor Collin, Keith Spicer and Bryn Thomas carried all before them and E2V Technologies beat the other relegated side - Excalibur B 6-4. Pip French who has been showing signs of a return to his best form took his three singles.

In the third division Danbury D signed off with a victory, beating Baddow Village C 7-3 with Peter Hance, Nicky Reece-Ford and Norman Smith all winning twice. Relegated Excalibur C also did well to beat Baddow Village D 7-3, as an undefeated Michael Rostoft took his three singles and received good support from Dave Moles and Steve Mundy. Excalibur C added another welcome five points to their tally as they held third placed Writtle B to a draw. It was again Rostoft who called the shots as he took his three singles.

Elmtree Graphics B produced the best performance of the week in division four as they beat third-placed Danbury H 6-4. Tony Vassallo was their match-winner on this occasion. Danbury H fared better against Baddow Village E winning 6-4 after a really hard-fought match where six games were decided in the fifth end. Tim Pulham stole the show beating Graham Turner 7-11, 7-11, 11-8, 12-10, 13-11 and Bradley Hudgell 3-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-13, 12-10. Elsewhere, ECC F completed their fixtures with a 7-3 victory over Writtle C as Jeff Lewington remained undefeated.

Bottom side ECC H produced a storming finish in division five to pull clear of relegation. They had Cecil Butcher, Tom Hill and Holly Stubbings undefeated as they ran riot against Baddow Village G winning 10-0 and they produced an equally emphatic performance against Baddow Village F a week later to win 9-1. Holly and Tom were again undefeated whilst Cecil Butcher only lost once, going down in four ends to Rykki Vansertima. Second-placed Danbury J produced an excellent performance to beat Writtle D 10-0 in a match where there were no less than four power-cuts to contend with. Norman Hayes, David Gatherall and Ciaran Whelan coped best with the problems and took all ten points. The runaway Champions ECC G completed their fixtures with a rare below-par performance and they had to settle for a draw against Baddow Village G. Baddow's Colin Gooday took his three singles whilst the clash between Mick Storey and Phil Twite produced the closest finish of the night with Storey prevailing 11-6, 11-6, 6-11, 5-11, 16-14. Third-placed EPHQ maintained their consistent form as they scored 7-3 wins over both Baddow Village G and OCs D. Ian Hockley was again their best player winning five out of his six singles, and only missing out against OCs' David Porter.

Division Six Champions Danbury K had an undefeated Roger Tiffin to thank as they beat Baddow Village H 6-4 whilst OCs E will have been delighted to have notched up their first win of the season, a 6-4 success over Ingatestone/Excalibur. Hector MacFarlane and Matthew Porter both won twice. Second placed Baddow Village L were also on good form beating OCs E 9-1. Richard Napper and Adam Pitt were both undefeated whilst Matthew Porter picked up OCs' sole win, a hard-fought 5-11, 11-7, 11-8, 14-12 win over Matt Skeoch.

This week's CLICK matches produced some close matches. Hylands School just overcame Danbury L 3-2 after Danny Harman and Colin Matthews had both won once and also combined to win the doubles. Ben Bayley caused them most problems as he remained undefeated. The match between Baddow Village N and Ingatestone also finished with a 3-2 scoreline with Baddow Village shading it. Brandon Crouchman won both his singles which included a really hard-foght battle against Lee Cranmer where he came through 9-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-2, 11-9. It was again 3-2 when OCs H met Danbury L as Kane Lambert's unbeaten performance was the difference between the two sides.

After fifteen years in the role of the League's Press & Publicity Officer Steve Kerns is looking to stand down next season. Anyone interested in taking on this role should contact Steve on telephone no. 01245-287623 to discuss what it entails.