PITT INSPIRES CHELMSFORD TO SUPERB VICTORY

Writtle A, the all conquering Division two leaders were brought rudely down to earth in the Veterans KO Cup Quarter Final by an inspired Chelmsford A side. The Chelmsford team hit top form and after winning the opening doubles encounter, a 3-2 victory for Julie Vansertima and Ray Lawrence over Gary Ward and Trevor Carter they eventually ran out 5-1 winners. Adrian Pitt was a superb 3-1 winner over Gary Ward whilst Julie Vansertima saw off Paul Cuming 11-9 in the fifth end and Ray Lawrence secured a 12-10 in the deciding set victory over Trevor Carter. Pitt wrapped proceedings up by beating Carter 11-7, 15-13, 11-9 to make the score 5-1. Last year's Runners-Up ECC have added Dave Cole to their squad (a more than useful reserve !) and their side of Cole, Steve Kerns and Lucy Wang made it through the first round by beating Danbury 5-1. Eric Green and Dave Calleja scored by beating Dave Cole and Lucy Wang in the opening doubles. Elmtree Graphics A are safely through to the Semi -Finals after beating Chelmsford B 5-0. Big-guns John Holland and Ev Lucas were joined by Rod Maclennan from division four and it was Maclennan who stole the show by scoring a magnificent 11-7, 7-11, 7-11, 11-5, 14-12 victory over Barry Pritchard.  OCs came safely through the period's closest encounter as they beat Hatfield Peverel A 5-4. Nat Ravlic and John Watts became OCs' heroes as they beat the tried and tested John Gagg/John Parodi partnership 10-12, 11-6, 14-16, 11-9, 1-5 in the final doubles. John Watts also struck a mighty blow by getting the better of John Parodi 9-11, 11-9, 11-5, 18-16 to level the scores at 2-2. Peverel's John Gagg and John Webber both won their two singles but it wasn't enough on this occasion and three doubles defeats cost the Peverel side dearly.

Chelmsford A (Neil Gooday, Peter Barrett and Hannah Pitt) came safely through their Mixed KO Cup Quarter Final by beating Elmtree Graphics B 5-2. The Chelmsford side were in control throughout and Elmtree's two wins were picked up in the games they were seemingly most likely to win. Melanie Bonnett and Rod Maclennan both beat Hannah Pitt.

Elmtree Graphics were successful in the closest battle in the 4-Down KO Cup just seeing off OCs B 5-4. They were 4-3 down and it was Rod Maclennan who kept their hopes alive by beating Mark Bohan by a last gasp 4-11, 13-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 margin. This gave them the fillip they needed and Maclennan and Melanie Bonnett saw them  through to the next round by beating Tony Cohen and David Porter 11-6, 12-10, 12-10 in the last game. They will be joined by Danbury B (Paul Durrands, Ken Sheard and Dave Hancox) who were 5-0 winners over Writtle.

The League's most popular KO Cup Competition, the Handicap event had another bumper entry and produced it's usual number of close encounters with no less than six matches decided by 5-4 scorelines. Hatfield Peverel A (John Gagg, Dave Carter and John Parodi) had their top player - Gagg ( playing off a handicap of 65) to thank as they beat ECC A 5-4. Gagg sealed victory for them in the final singles by getting the better of Trevor Collin (67) 21-14, 22-20. Chelmsford B seemed to be coasting against Danbury A as they moved into a 4-1 lead but Danbury hit back hard and they had to rely on Waseem Qureshi (69) getting the better of Jean Chasmer (56) 21-15, 21-18 in the last game. Qureshi had beaten Tim Pulham (58) 21-17, 21-12 but he fell well short against Neil Want (59) missing out 8-21, 18-21. Hatfield Peverel D's 5-4 victory over Hatfeld Peverel C was even more unusual as the D side raced into a 4-0 lead. It is doubtful if the "alarm bells" were ringing too loudly when Clive Allenby (63) made the score 1-4 by beating Keith Cullen (59) 21-19, 21-17 but by the time Guy McKenzie (63) had levelled the scores at 4-4 by getting the better of Pete Mynard (57) 6-21, 21-18, 21-15 the D side must have felt that they had blown their chances of progressing. Chris Buer (59) managed to keep his head remarkably well in the circumstances and he sealed victory for his side by beating Clive Allenby 21-19, 21-15. Bocking (Garry Fryatt, Richard Jennings and Gordon Fairchild) did well to beat Danbury C 5-4 with Gordon Fairchild (51) (who had lost his first two games) getting the better of John Skuse (49) 21-13, 21-16 to seal the victory.  John Knights (53) did not deserve to be on the losing side and he excelled by winning his three singles which included an excellent 21-8, 15-21, 21-7 win over Richard Jennings (65). Danbury D had Craig Foster (56) to thank as they beat Elmtree Graphics 5-4. Foster not only won his three singles but his last gasp 20-22, 21-19, 26-24 victory over Nicola Pippen (51) gave Danbury a vital 4-3 lead. OCs B are also safely through to the next round with Mark Bohan (57) and Tony Cohen (56) both winning twice. Bohan made no mistake in his last singles and with the scores tied at 4-4 he showed no sign of nerves as he destroyed Richard Hiksey (65) 21-9, 21-9.

All players are reminded that the Essex Closed Table Tennis Tournament takes place next weekend (Saturday/Sunday 12/13 January 2008) at the BATTS Club, Harlow with Senior and Veterans events taking place on the Saturday and Under 18, Under 15 and Under 13 events on the Sunday. John Holland Junior (BATTS Team Peniel) is the top seed in the Mens Singles and he will face stiff competition from Scottish International Niall Cameron as well as up-and-coming County First team stars - Vytas Rybakas and Ashley Stokes. Admission is free.

 

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League