EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR BOCKING

10-0 results have been few and far between in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League this year, and on that basis Bocking's 10-0 whitewash of Chelmsford A really stands out. The full-strength Bocking side of Rik James, Peter Hayden and Kevin Gowlett gave nothing away as they regained their lead at the top of the table. Bocking reinforced this position by beating OCs A 6-4, although this time it was the opposition's Ryan Savill who stole the show as he powered his way to three excellent wins over the Bocking players, a result which may well have put him in contention for a high seeding position in the Mens Singles at the Chelmsford Closed Tournament in February. Nikky Kennard also impressed and she scored an excellent 3-0 win over Kevin Gowlett. Another team who are in the hunt for honours - Maldon B put their A team colleagues firmly in their place, running out 9-1 winners although the inegibility of their new signing - the hard-hitting Alex "Junior" Facey (in what was a rescheduled game) meant their victory was restricted to a 6-4 success. Hamish Innes (who pushed both Alex Facey and Neil Charles to fifth ends) secured Maldon A's solitary win with an excellent 11-5, 4-11, 11-13, 11-9, 11-9 win over Paul Davison. Struggling Excalibur A gave Maldon A a run for their money and just missed out 6-4. Peter Ballard won his three singles for Maldon whilst Gary Young with excellent wins over Paul Stephens and Hamish Innes was the best of the Excalibur players. Excalibur's Nigel Lamb also impressed with his 11-8, 11-9, 11-9 victory over Stephens.

Things are looking bleak for relegation battlers E2V in division two, and a 6-4 defeat against Chelmsford D, the team one place above them did not help their cause. Five games were decided in the fifth end, and Chelmsford shaded those matches 3-2 which enabled them to run out 6-4 winners. The Chelmsford trio of Dean Andrews, Barry Pritchard and Robin Armstrong all won twice whilst Pip French won twice for E2V. Ivan Chaplin had a night he won't wish to dwell on, and he missed out 10-12, 12-10, 6-11, 12-10, 5-11 against Robin Armstrong and 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 6-11, 10-12 against Barry Pritchard. A further defeat, 7-3 against Chelmsford B, means E2V have it all to do in the second half of the season. Chelmsford's Waseem Qureshi won his three singles and Julie Vansertima added excellent five game wins over Dave Richardson and Ivan Chaplin. There was no joy for bottom side Danbury B either, and they lost 7-3 against ECC B for whom Gary Brignall and Trevor Collin were both undefeated.

Division three leaders Excalibur B notched up their seventh win of the season as they beat ECC C 7-3. Bill Smith was their match-winner as he took his three singles whilst Richard Hiskey won twice, only missing out against Gus Heath. ECC D did well to beat the higher placed Excalibur C 7-3, in a match where Peter Layzell stayed undefeated. Layzell's trio fo wins included a clinical 11-5, 11-7, 11-6 victory against Michael Rostoft, Excalibur's top player. Third-placed ECC E are moving into contention and they were comfortable 8-2 winners this week over ECC C. Colin Blore (three wins), Bryn Thomas (three wins) and Jeff Lewington (two wins) all played their part in this success.

In division five ECC F and EPHQ produced an evenly contested match which finished all square. Ian Hockley took his three singles for EPHQ whilst Richard Storey who won twice was the most successful of the ECC players. ECC F added a further seven points to their total as they beat ECC G 7-3 and it was again Richard Storey who was the best of the ECC F side. He took his three singles, getting the better of Mohammed Mohseni, Tom Hill and Amir Vasquez.

Great Baddow  were involved in three division six games where scorecards have been received this week. They produced a mixed bag of results as well, beating Chelmsford L 7-3, drawing 5--5 with Danbury J and losing 7-3 against Excalibur D. Former Southend first division player Gary McCarthy was undefeated in their win against Danbury J, whilst Jim McCarthy took his three singles in the draw against Chelmsford L. Against Excalibur D they were only able to muster up two players and it was Jim McCarthy who remained undefeated who dominated the action. In the Melbourne Athletics Centre derby match Chelmsford M just shaded it 6-4 against Chelmsford L, after Chris High had won his three singles. Fred Henwood (two wins) and Jacqui Smith (one win) provided excellent support.

A date for the diaries for all local players is Saturday/Sunday 19/20 January 2008 when British League Premier Division action takes place at BATTS Team Peniel Table Tennis Club, The Norman Booth Centre, Elderfield, Mulberry Green, Old Harlow, Essex, CM17 OEY. Action commences at 10.00 hours on the Saturday and at 11.00 hours on the Sunday and many of the country's top players will be taking part including a star-studded and largely Oriental squad from the DHS London Progress Club who will be bidding to win the title for an unprecedented tenth time on the trot. Local side BATTS Team Peniel Table Tennis Club I who feature Chelmsford's top player Neil Charles are currently in second place, and their all-star line-up of Wang Zheng, Craig Bryant, Shuying Xu, John Holland, Ritchie Venner, Neil Charles and Clive Carthy will be doing their utmost to stay there. Former three times Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion - Lorestas Trumpauskas (who now lives in Dulwich) will be playing for his Club - Middlesex based Ellenborough. This is a great chance to see some of the best players in the country in action on your door-step.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Chelmsford players and Officials

 

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League