Press Report

24 year-old Arturas Rybakas (Elmtree Graphics), became the new M&G Investments Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Mens Singles Champion after scoring two top-notch wins on Finals Night, played at the Old Chelmsfordians Club on Monday 12 February 2007.

In front of a capacity audience Arturas, possibly the least fancied of the four Semi-Finalists produced a very assured Semi-Final performance to beat a nervous looking Neil Charles (ECC) 11-3, 11-8, 11-9. Arturas ("Arthur") never gave Neil a chance to settle and on those occasions when Neil did produce his most forceful shots Arturas blocked them back crisply and accurately. It just wasn't Neil's night and Arturas dominated the action with his clever tight serves and general variety of opening attacking shots right from the off.

The other Semi-Final between Rik James (Bocking) and Dave Cole (ECC) produced a typical all action battle in which Rik started slowly but played very well to take both the second and third legs. In the fourth leg Dave suddenly hit top form and he held onto win 11-6, 4-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5, more comfortably than had looked likely at one stage.

There was more success for Dave Cole in the Mixed Doubles Final partnered by a determined Jean Chasmer (Danbury). David's all-round attacking play and Jean's steady patient approach always seemed to have the edge against Holly Stubbings (ECC) and Rik James and although Holly and Rik played far better in the third end it was David and Jean who prevailed 11-6, 11-8, 15-13.

Chelmsford Under 18 Boys Singles Champion Bradley Hudgell (Baddow Village) added the Under 21 Singles title to his list of honours by beating Baddow Village team-mate Simon Webber 11-9, 11-9, 13-11 in an excellent Final. Both players look to attack just about every serve and both of them played some excellent modern shots, particularly their use of the forehand "flick". Bradley also displayed some real top-class "loop-to-loop" forehands and it was his greater mobility in the longer rallies that perhaps gave him the edge after a really closely fought match.

The Veterans Singles Final was a repeat of their Mens Singles Semi-Final and it was David Cole who again came through to beat Rik James 11-6, 11-8, 15-13 to take the title at the first attempt. Rik threw everything he had at David in an attempt to take the sting out of David's ferocious attacking forehand but hitting with an abandonment that few players manage on Finals Night David was in no mood to be denied. The third game hit a "pinacle" and David just edged it to take the title.

The Mens Doubles Final gave Neil Charles a second chance of a title and paired with Brother-in-Law Paul Davison (ECC) they produced a top-class display to beat the Holders Rik James and Dave Cole 11-8, 13-11, 11-7. Neil hit some sparkling "fades" on his forehand as only he can whilst Paul's aggressive backhand return of his opponent's serves reeked havoc. They can rarely have played better.

The Ladies Singles Final was a triumph for youth over experience as Essex Junior first team star Holly Stubbings came out on top after a really draining encounter against Jean Chasmer.. Holly took the first end comfortably 11-5, but appeared to lose her way in the second which she lost 11-4. The third end looked to be crucial as Jean shaded it 15-13 but Holly showed real resilience to win the fourth end quite comfortably 11-4. By this time both players had long since forgotten any nerves and by displaying real patience and determination Holly just managed to take the decider 11-9 to capture her first Ladies Singles title.

And so to the Grand Finale, and it immediately became clear that Arturas was capable of taking the title. His subtle opening shots, more "spinny" than powerful and often heavily disguised left David "all at sea" in the first end as Arturas won comfortably 11-5. David was in trouble and poor starts in the second and third ends didn't help his cause as Arturas piled on the pressure. David fought back bravely in the second end but a 13-11 setback put Arturas firmly in the driving seat. In the third leg some really positive attacking play enabled Arturas to surge into an 8-2 lead and it is to David's credit that he managed to pull all the way back to 10-9. Could he rescue a "lost cause" ?. The answer turned out to be "no" and "Arthur" followed his brother Vytas, the 2004 Mens Singles Champion into the League's record books. Perhaps one of the least fancied of Chelmsford more recent Mens Singles Champions but certainly a player who is capable of winning the title again on numerous occasions. And who would bet against Arturas facing his brother Vytas in the Chelmsford Mens Singles Final at some stage ?.

The Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Committee were delighted that the Mayor - Councillor Margaret Hutchon and Anna Emtage, Charity & Community Relations Manger of M&G Investments were present on the Night in the role of Guests of Honour.

Steve Kerns