BOCKING OVERPOWER MALDON  

No question which team produced the top performance of the week in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. Bocking A take that Award by the proverbial mile after scoring a magnificent 8-2 win over a strong Maldon A side in Division One. The two teams - Bocking (Peter Hayden, Rik James and Kevin Gowlett) and Maldon (Paul Stephens, Paul Sayer and Hamish Innes) appear evenly matched on paper but Bocking clearly had other ideas. Peter Hayden and Rik James were both undefeated with Rik taking a superb trio of wins, all achieved three-straight to boot. Kevin Gowlett was an excellent four game Winner over Paul Stephens and he only missed out against Hamish Innes 9-11, 13-11, 11-1, 8-11, 10-12. On this showing Bocking have real Championship credentials.

In Division Two ECC B were impressive 7-3 Winners over Hatfield Peverel B. Last week it had been Trevor Collin who stole the honours for the County Council side and this week it was Keith Spicer who dominated the action. Keith took his three singles, all by a 3-1 margin with his closest encounter coming against Neil Freeman. After cruising home in the first game it was anyone's match before Keith finally edged home 11-6, 14-12, 12-14, 15-13. Writtle A had the bit firmly between their teeth against Danbury B and they turned in a first-class performance as they won 10-0. Kevin Worthington, Trevor Carter and Paul Cuming were all on target.

Superior team-work gave OCs B their 6-4 victory over Excalibur B in Division three. Excalibur's Richard Hiskey won his three singles but it wasn't quite enough and two wins for both John Watts and Adrian North gave the Old Boys the edge. Hiskey completed his hat-trick in dramatic style by beating John Watts 11-5, 9-11, 11-13, 11-7, 11-9 in the last game of the night.

Hatfield Peverel D were the pick of the Division four Winners. Their 9-1 win over Danbury E may have flattered them as they won all four games that were decided in the fifth end, but it was nevertheless still a performance of real merit. Peter Mynard, Chris Buer and Keith Cullen captured all nine singles with Mynard's opening game win over Craig Foster leading the way. Mynard came out on top after a real struggle 11-9, 16-14, 7-11, 6-11, 11-9. Elmtree Graphics B turned out both of their strong players - Phil Smith and Fred Button in the same game and it was no surprise that they managed to beat Danbury E 7-3. Phil Smith had his work cut out against John Robinson but he eventually came through after a first game scare to win 3-11,12-10, 11-7, 12-10. Nicola Pippen just failed to add to Elmtree's points tally losing out 11-2, 12-10, 7-11, 7-11, 8-11 to Richard Allen in a hard-fought last match of the evening. The match between Danbury E and Chelmsford F also finished up 7-3 with Danbury coming out on top this time. Dave Goody was their match-winner and he turned in a commanding performance taking all three singles 3-0. Dave Powell had a real battle against Dacre Pell with Dave just pulling through 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 6-11, 16-14.

In Division five Danbury G's impressive 8-2 victory over Chelmsford J certainly flattered Danbury, as they won all four games that were decided in the fifth end. As is so often the way the first game had a large bearing on the outcome of the match and David Gatherall got his team off to a perfect start by beating Richard Upson 11-6, 6-11, 9-11, 11-9, 12-10. Gordon Gatherall took his three singles and he won't lose many games at this level. ECC F's 8-2 win against Hatfield Peverel E looked less on the cards at one stage with the scores tied at 2-2. However, ECC moved into top gear and took the remaining six games. Both Richard and Mick Storey were undefeated. Hatfield Peverel E's match against Chelmsford H was notable for the fact that no single player stayed undefeated. Peverel's Colin Powell, Mike Bard and Dave Fillery all won twice as the Village team eventually won 7-3 whilst Adam Pitt won his two singles for the Chelmsford side.

The CLICK (Introductory) League produced two contrasting scorelines although both matches were in fact hard-fought affairs. OCs E (Danish Dewan, Matt Newton and Richard Newton) beat Chelmsford O 5-0 and Chelmsford O in turn beat Chelmsford N 3-2. Robert Shrimpton stayed undefeated for the O side with Aled Upson winning once. Beth Hudgell replied for the N side by beating Alex Beaumont 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 12-10.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League