AN IMPRESSIVE START FOR NEWLY PROMOTED TEAMS

After 4 weeks of the season things are beginning to settle down in the 6 divisions of the league. In the first division the pre -season favourites ECC are still unbeaten, but on two occasions have fielded 2 players which has cost them vital points. Their main rivals Elmtree are also undefeated, with new signing Matt Spero making an immediate impact by beating Steve Kerns in their recent clash. The newly promoted Danbury B and Billericay Sports have both had some good early results, in Billericay's case it will much depend on the availability of the highly ranked pair of Alex Green and Natalie Bawden. Notable wins in the top division are Dave Jacobs against Dave Cole, Aaron Fenell over Steve Kerns, Ray Eldridge over Pete Hayden and very impressively Eric Green over the redoubtable John Holland.

In the second division typically there have been many differing results, with most teams having the ability to beat each other. ECC B are the only team to have won all their matches, lead by Keith Spicer who is still unbeaten. Writtle and Hatfield Peverel A both have squads containing first division experience, Writtle look very strong if they can field Gary Ward, Kevin Worthington and Trevor Carter regularly. The only team who appear to have it all to do are ECC C , who have been promoted from division 4. Notable performances have been young Greg Green's hatrick against Bocking, with Bradley Hudgell doing the like against the same team. The only other players to still have 100 % at this stage are Dave Richardson (E2V), John Cleasby (maldon) and Gary Ward (WRITTLE).

A strong Baddow C team of Duncan Elloy, Ryan Pitt, Mike Johnston and Alastair Brown are setting the pace in division 3 with there only reversal being against OC's. Surprisingly Excalibur C are above their B side. I expect Excalibur B to be challenging for honours at the end of the season, with the experience of Richard Hiskey, Kevin Smart and Linda Murray to call on. Rawreth B are finding the going a bit tough at the moment, only field 2 players in 1 match. Players who have had a good start to the season include Matthew Brown, Herbie Smith and particularly Pete Layzell who still has a 100 per cent record.

ECC E have really set the pace in division 4, amassing an impressive 26 points from 3 games. There regular 3 of Jeff Lewington, Allan Thompson and Mohammed Mohseni, with also Colin Blore to call on, an experienced player at division 2 level. Baddow E have also made a good start, with Graham Turner being there star performer so far. The sides struggling in this division are Great Baddow and Danbury G.

The early form in divsion 5 points to a three way tussle between OC's C, Writtle C and ECC G.  The OC's line up of Dave Porter and Tony Cohen have been very impressive so far. Writtle have been really firing on all cylinders, with Andy Fox and Tony Lambert losing only 1 singles between them. OC's D should be rising up the table soon, with the experienced Nigel Parmenter and Stuart Wintle in their side.

In the sixth division Hatfield Peverel E and Baddow H are the only two sides to have won all their games. It is not clear who is finding it tough so far, as some teams have only played one game. Hatfield Peverel look to have a star player at this level in Keith Cullen, who is capable of playing at division 3 level. Baddow H have the assistance of Richard Upson, Hayden Upson and Sam Pitt, a good and up and coming side. Baddow K is an all family affair, with Ian Austin playing with children James and Claire Austin.