SUPER-SHOW FROM HAYDEN 

Bocking A could be the dark-horses in the first Division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League this Season, and if they can get their top three players - Rik James, Peter Hayden and Kevin Gowlett to play regularly it won't be beyond them to take the title. Peter Hayden - still one of the County's best players twenty years after he last played County Table Tennis hit top form against last year's Runners-Up ECC A and even a player of David Cole's calibre had to give way. Hayden came out on top 11-8, 11-6, 10-12, 11-6. Steve Kerns found Hayden even more of a handful and scores in Hayden's favour of 11-2, 11-7, 11-7 tell their own story. A match which should definitely feature two teams who will be challenging for honours finished all square. Early leaders Rawreth A scored their second 10-0 win of the Season as they hammered Excalibur A 10-0, with Charles Sweeney, George Reeves and Jon Poysden carrying all before them. Excalibur fared little better against Elmtree Graphics A where they lost 7-3. Ev Lucas and Steve Willis were both undefeated in what was a very disappointing night for Excalibur. OCs A who made a successful start to their Season found ECC A a trickier proposition missing out 7-3. Ryan Savill was OC's only singles Winner beating Mother and Daughter combination Lucy and Sarra Wang.

ECC B's superb 6-4 victory over Danbury A was the eye-catching result in Division two with the some times erratic Trevor Collin hitting top form. Collin's three wins, where he beat Eric Green, Jon Hill and then Tony Forster speak for themselves, a magnificent evening's work. Julie Vansertima was another player who turned in a top-class performance and she took all three singles as Chelmsford B held Hatfield Peverel A to a draw. Julie's victory over the defensive Dave Carter appears to have come hardest and she eventually pulled through 8-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-6. 

OCs B were the week's big Winners in Division three as they beat ECC D 9-1. Trevor Roberts, a five game Winner over Adrian North was the Council side's only Winner with Nat Ravlic and John Watts both remaining undefeated for the Old Boys.OCs added another six points to their total by beating Writtle B 6-4. This time all three of their players had to give way to an impressive Matthew Brown although two wins for each of John Watts, Nat Ravlic and Mark Bohan gave OCs a narrow victory. Bocking B just shaded it 6-4 against Excalibur C. None of the Bocking players were able to beat Michael Rostoft who included Steve Edmonds amongst his victims. Rostoft came out on top 7-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-9 in this encounter.

In Division four, Mark Bohan, who made a successful foray into Division three was OCs C's strong man as his side beat Chelmsford D 7-3. The experienced Frank Neill gave Bohan the most problems and it took Mark the full five games before he came out on top 6-11, 11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4. Elmtree Graphics B had Clacton stalwart Phil Smith on target as they beat Danbury E 6-4. Smith won't lose many at this level, and here he was only pushed in his first encounter where he eventually overcame Dave Goody 9-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-9.

Danbury H look strong for Division five and they brushed Chelmsford H aside 9-1. Roger Tiffin (three wins), Rob Kneale (three wins) and Tony Reece-Ford (two wins) were very much in charge of this match. Adam Pitt was Chelmsford's sole winner and he did well to beat Reece-Ford 11-7, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9.  Chelmsford J just shaded it 6-4 against a two man ECC G. Chelmsford's Richard Upson won both of his games and this included a narrow 11-9, 11-9, 15-13 success against Mohammed Mohseni. Kings Road A also won 6-4 and their win was very much an all-round team effort as none of their players were able to get the better of Ian Hockley. However, with Alison Gurner (nee Gower), Martin Eyles and Rob Hayne all winning twice it was the School-based team who came out on top. Hockley's opening victory over former Chelmsford Champion Alison by a 11-9, 7-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-7 margin may well turn out to be a victory of some note as it is unlikely that Alison will lose too many games at this level. 

Hylands School A impressed in Division six by holding Danbury J to a draw. Up-and-coming Brandon Crouchman (nationally ranked no. 34 in England at Under 13 level) took his three singles which included an excellent 11-4, 11-9, 7-11, 11-4 victory against Trevor Palmer whilst Scott Dowsett (nationally ranked no. 44 in England at Under 13 level) won twice and also tested Palmer fully before succumbing 10-12, 11-9, 11-8, 7-11, 2-11. A week later, and Palmer faced another Dowsett - Scott's Grandfather - Hill and it was Trevor who came out on top in this battle, as he beat Hill 11-6, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8. Palmer remained undefeated as Danbury J beat a two--man Excalibur E 7-3. OCs D, 6-4 Winners in the first week of the Season added another six points to their total as Mick Hayes again controlled affairs. Hayes stayed unbeaten, although he needed four games to get the better of Jacqui Smith 7-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-3.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League