NEWCOMER CUMING INSPIRES WRITTLE TO A COMFORTABLE WIN

Writtle A, the second division leaders in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League can't put a foot wrong at present, and this week they beat Chelmsford C 8-2. Impressive newcomer Paul Cuming scored a superb hat-trick of wins and in the night's top clash he fought back from 2-0 down to beat Chelmsford Under 21 Champion Bradley Hudgell 10-12, 6-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-6. Hudgell was involved in a second top-class encounter and he just prevailed 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 13-11 against Kevin Worthington, the reigning Chelmsford two-down Singles Champion.

Hatfield Peverel A leap-frogged over their B side into second place when they came out on top 6-4. Greg Green, one of the League's success stories this Season had another superb evening beating the Hatfield Peverel A trio of John Gagg, Dave Carter and John Webber. His win over Webber was the closest of the evening with Greg coming through 11-6, 14-16, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9. Quite a battle. Chelmsford B were this week's big Winners in this division, as they scored a convincing 9-1 success against Danbury B. Ray Lawrence (two wins), Waseem Qureshi (three wins) and Julie Vansertima (three wins) will be well pleased with their evening's work. Danbury A, who have made a slow start to the Season climbed into fourth place by beating Chelmsford D 6-4, as Eric Green took his three singles all three-straight, a  welcome return to form. Danbury A also fared well against Chelmsford B, winning 7-3. Green was rested from this match but Babul McLeod proved a more than handy replacement. He took his three singles scoring three good wins over Waseem Qureshi, Julie Vansertima and Alastair Piper.  

First division leaders Rawreth A were well beaten 7-3 by Chelmsford A. They only turned out Duncan Taylor of their established trio of top players and they paid the price as Bradley Hudgell, Neil Gooday and Peter Barrett all won twice to leave Chelmsford comfortably in charge. OCs A moved into fourth place by beating Billericay Sports 8-2, as Ryan Savill (three wins), Nikki Kennard (two wins) and Steve Northcott (two wins) produced their best display of the Season. Billericay's new signing, County Junior first team-Star Mark Mulley was involved in two tight five-setters. He beat Steve Northcott 9-11, 11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9 but just missed out 4-11, 4-11, 12-10, 11-9, 9-11 against Ryan Savill.  OCs also added a further dent to the Championship hopes of Rawreth when they held them to a draw. Ryan Savill again held the OCs team together and he provided further evidence that he is returning to his best form as he downed both Kevin Read (3-1) and Stuart Gibbs (also 3-1). Second placed Bocking A didn't have it all their own way in beating Billericay Sports. Kevin Gowlett and Rik James were both undefeated but the three defeats that Steve Edmonds suffered restricted their margin of victory to 7-3. Gowlett had to work hard to claim his three singles wins, and he had to fight back from 2-0 down to beat the defensive Ray Eldridge 5-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-7. Last year's Champions Elmtree Graphics A are not the same force this year, and they will be pleased to have held Chelmsford A to a draw having been a player short. John Holland took his three singles and newcomer Terry Timms added a 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-2 victory over Waseem Qureshi. Bradley Hudgell provided firther evidence that he is becoming increasingly comfortable at this level as he beat the combination bat defender Timms 11-9, 11-9, 11-9.  

In division three OCs B were well beaten 7-3 by ECC E who had Bryn Thomas firing on all cylinders. Thomas seemed all at sea in his first singles surrendering the first two legs tamely to John Watts but he fought back in stirring fashion to win 5-11, 5-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-9. His team never looked back after that. Newcomer Paul Brownlie looks like he will be an excellent acquisition for Excalibur C, and he won his three singles as Excalibur C beat Hatfield Peverel C 6-4. Clive Allenby was the best of the Peverel players but he received short change from Brownlie missing out 9-11, 4-11, 6-11. Hatfield Peverel C also lost 6-4 to OCs B in a match where no single player stayed undefeated. John Watts and Nat Ravlic both won twice for OCs whilst Clive Allenby and Lorrie Austin both picked up two singles for Hatfield Peverel. The match between Bocking B and Writtle B finished all square, another match which saw no single player end the evening without losing. This time Richard Jennings and Steve Edmonds won twice for Bocking whilst Matthew Brown and Brian Cook won twice for Writtle.

Division Four leaders OCs C stay top after beating third-placed Hatfield Peverel D 6-4. David Porter was their match-winner as he won his three singles. Keith Cullen pushed him hardest and he just came through 11-6, 8-11, 3-11, 11-3, 11-8 after a game that see-sawed in both directions. Danbury E were 7-3 winners over their C team club-mates, as Craig Foster pulled all the strings. He won his three singles and he received excellent support from Brian Ellis and Dave Powell who both won twice. Chelmsford E beat Danbury D 6-4, as Steve Back and Frank Neill both won twice with Paul Durrands winning two singles for the Danbury team. In a match from the first week of the Season Hatfield Peverel D found themselves penalised against Chelmsford F because Martin Green was not registered at that time. With Green winning his three singles their 7-3 victory became a 6-4 defeat.

Division five produced four clear-cut matches with Danbury G leading the way. They had it pretty much their own way as they beat ECC G 9-1. Gordon Gatherall and Peter Sun were both undefeated. Kings Road A were also seemingly comfortable 8-2 winners against Danbury H, although the scoreline did flatter them. They won all three games that were decided in the fifth end, with Rob Hayne leading the way by beating Roger Tiffin 5-11, 11-4, 11-6, 7-11, 12-10. Alison Gurner was undefeated for the School side. Danbury H in turn hit back in their next match, and they beat EPHQ 7-3. Rob Kneale took his three singles and this included an excellent hard-fought 11-7, 11-6, 6-11, 9-11, 12-10 success against Ian Hockley. Without Hockley, EPHQ were nonetheless successful against a two-man Hatfield Peverel E with Calvin Wright and Francis Whitbread both remaining undefeated.   

In division six - Chelmsford L were the week's only 10-0 winners as they beat Kings Road B. Mick Pitt, Zak D'Vees and Roland Johnson were all undefeated with Mick Pitt in particular making light work of his games. Zak D'Vees had to work hardest of the Chelmsford side and he required five ends before he eased home 11-9, 11-4, 10-12, 7-11, 11-7 against Andy Bennett. Without Mick Pitt or Roland Johnson Chelmsford L were in turn well beaten, 8-2 by Danbury J. Martin Knights and John Knights, both very experienced performers at this level both stayed unedefeated. Dianne Pitt was on target for Chelmsford and her 9-11, 11-13, 11-5, 11-4, 15-13 victory over Rob Sach was the closest of the evening. Excalibur E had Essex County Coaching Officer Hill Dowsett to thank as they ran out 7-3 winners against Chelmsford M. Hill took his three singles three-straight which included a convincing 12-10, 11-3, 11-4 victory over Chris High. Great Baddow have some catching up to do after starting the Season without a full quota of registered players, but, they showed that they are moving in the right direction when they held Excalibur E to a 5-5 draw. Former leading Southend player Gary McCarthy won his three singles and if he can rediscover his best form then they should shoot up the Table. Chelmsford L and OCs D also finished level, after Mick Hayes had won his three singles for OCs and Will O'Donnell, with two wins had fared best of the Chelmsford players.

In the CLICK League there was a defeat for Chelmsford P who missed out 3-2 against Chelmsford O. Mitchell Carter won his two singles for the P side but it wasn't enough and Chelmsford O shaded the match. Carter's win over Bethanie Hudgell was the closest of the evening and he pulled through 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 13-11. Elsewhere, OCs F were 4-1 winners against Chelmsford N. Tom Adam took his two singles in style and team-mate Jack Preston added excellent support by beating Bethanie Hudgell and sharing in a Doubles success. Sarah Austin did well to come back from a two games deficit to beat Preston 8-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4.  

All players are reminded that the League's popular Quiz Night is taking place on Saturday 24 November 2007 at Writtle Sports & Social Club, The Pavilion, Paradise Street, Writtle starting at 19.30 hours. Chris Hibbitt will again be the Quiz Master and teams may include up to six members at a cost of £ 18.00 per team. To book a table please call Brian Cook on telephone no. 01245-467787. Teams are not restricted to Table Tennis players.

Players should also note that the League's Closed Tournament takes place over the weekend of Friday 01 February 2008 to Sunday 03 February 2008 at Anglia Ruskin University. Bishops Hall Lane, Rivermead Campus, Chelmsford. Entries close on Monday 03 December 2007 and Entry forms which are available in the League handbook should be sent via Club Secretaries or directly to the Tournament Organiser - Arthur Clark, 2 Top Road, Woodham Walter, Essex, CM9 6RQ.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League