GREAT BATTLE IN STORE BETWEEN DANBURY G AND KINGS ROAD

Two teams stand out in Division five of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League and as the Season progresses there should be a really hard-fought battle for top honours between these two sides. Both teams - Danbury G and Kings Road A have been notching up big wins of late, and Danbury added 18 points to their total by beating Hatfield Peverel E 10-0 and Chelmsford G 8-2. Peter Sun was undefeated in both matches and Gordon Gatherall and Kevin Willis were equally dominant as they hammered Hatfield Peverel E. Fast improving Stevie Pell, restricted their margin of victory when they faced Chelmsford G and she got the better of both John Knights (3-1) and David Gatherall (3-1). The only side capable of beating Danbury G are Kings Road A who showed their undoubted strength as they beat Chelmsford J 10-0. Rob Hayne, Alison Gurner and Martin  Eyles were all undefeated. Alison Gurner's name will be a new one to many players but her maiden name Alison Gower will be well known to most first Division players. She was the Chelmsford Ladies Singles Champion from 1991 to 1993 as well as a County Senior first team player. If she can rediscover some of her best form then expect this side to be challenging for honours for the next few years, as successive promotions will surely follow. Elsewhere, Danbury H saw off Hatfield Peverel D 6-4 as Rob Kneale stayed undefeated.

Neither Chelmsford A or Excalibur A are finding the going easy in Division one, and when the two sides met both teams will be pleased that the match finished level, and that they did not lose any ground in a relegation battle which will probably involve Billericay, Excalibur A, Elmtree Graphics A and Chelmsford A. Chelmsford's Aaron Fennell was the leading player on view and he looked very impressive as he beat Gary Young, Nigel Lamb and Glenn Johnson all three straight. Young and Johnson both won twice to ensure that the match finished all square. Rawreth moved back into top place by beating Elmtree Graphics A 8-2, a result that leaves Elmtree very much in the relegation battle. Kevin Read and Duncan Tylor were both undefeated for Rawreth. Maldon B are currently fourth with a game in hand but if they can keep turning out their best players regularly they will surely be the team to beat. The League's top player Neil Charles breezed though his singles as Maldon beat Chelmsford A 8-2. However, reserve Waseem Qureshi excelled by getting the better of both John Cleasby and Paul Davison, two excellent wins.

In Division two, bottom side Danbury B did well to hold Chelmsford C to a draw. Brad Hudgell won his two singles for Chelmsford with Herbie Smith and Peter Hance both winning twice for Danbury. Chelmsford C were also put in their place by Chelmsford B with the B side coming out on top 7-3. Waseem Qureshi stayed undefeated and Ray Lawrence added wins over Ryan Pitt and Mike Johnston. Danbury B were in turn treated much harsher when they faced their colleagues at Danbury A, as evidenced by the crushing 10-0 scoreline. The result was certainly not a fair reflection on the match with three games going the full five sets and a further five games decided in the fourth end, but, it was nevertheless the Danbury A team of Ian Whiteside, Jon Hill and Tony Forster who took all 10 points. They have climbed into third place and also have a game in hand on second placed Hatfield Peverel A.    

ECC C did well to beat Writtle B 6-4, a side five places above them in Division three. Gary Copsey's three singles gave ECC the edge and he received good support from Gus Heath (two wins) and Andy Hanlon (one win). Copsey showed his class with a 11-6, 6-11, 11-3, 11-4 victory over Writtle's leading player Matthew Brown.

Clacton League stalwart Phil Smith won't lose many games at Division four level, but he met his match against Hatfield Peverel D's Pete Mynard. With Mynard taking his three singles Hatfield Peverel D beat Elmtree Graphics B 7-3 which extends their lead at the top of the table to 10 points although they have played a match more than second-placed OCs C. Mynard's game with Smith was one of those games where both players had good patches before Mynard pulled away in the fifth end. Mynard ended up winning 7-11, 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6. Mynard was also extended the full five games by Tony Vassallo and this time he just prevailed 11-2, 9-11, 11-13, 11-2, 11-9. The Danbury C versus Danbury E clash ended all square as the inform Dave Marsh somewhat surprisingly upset the odds by winning all three singles for the E side. Danbury C were involved in another drawn match as they finished level with OCs C. This time it was Mark Bohan (OCs) who remained undefeated with Tim Pulham and Neil Want both winning twice for Danbury.

CLICK (Introductory League) leaders OCs E were comfortable 5-0 winners against Chelmsford Q in a match which Mark and Richard Newton dominated from the outset. Chelmsford O added four points to their total by beating Hylands School B. Robert Shrimpton was undefeated and Alex Beaumont won a hard-fought five setter against Phil Bigland 11-4, 3-11, 6-11, 14-12, 11-8. In his second singles Beaumont fought back bravely from 2-0 down bur eventually missed out 9-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-3, 11-7 aginast Jamie Dowsett.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League