RIK JAMES MAXIMUM LEAVES BOCKING IN CHARGE

Bocking took a large step forward in their attempt to win the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League by beating last year's Runners-Up ECC A 7-3. ECC were without their top player David Cole and at times they struggled. Bocking's Rik James won his three singles, Peter Hayden beat both Steve Kerns (3-0) and Lucy Wang (3-0) whilst Kevin Gowlett scored an important 3-1 win over Lucy Wang. England no. three Junior Girl Sarra Wang was ECC's best player and she was a magnificent five game winner against Peter Hayden, her best performance to date in the Chelmsford League. Maldon B who are now second could well be the side who provide Bocking with their greatest challenge and they produced a strong performance to beat Maldon A 7-3. The League's best player Neil Charles was again unbeaten whilst Paul Davison produced his best play of the Season scoring three excellent wins over Paul Sayer, Hamish Innes and Peter Ballard. A determined Davison fought back from 2-0 down to beat Sayer 9-11, 2-11, 12-10, 12-10, 11-8. Third-placed Rawreth were also 7-3 winners as they beat Billericay 7-3. Kevin Read led the way with three singles victories whilst Mark Mulley fared best of the Billericay players getting the better of both Steve Maltby and Charles Sweeney. However, Mulley received short shrift from Kevin Read with Read triumphing 11-2, 11-6, 11-3. 

Second placed Hatfield Peverel A were the week's big winners in Division two as they hammered Chelmsford D 9-1. John Gagg and Dave Carter were both undefeated whilst Barry Pritchard picked up Chelmsford's success with a 3-0 victory over John Parodi. E2V had an undefeated Dave Richardson to thank as they beat Danbury B 6-4. Nevertheless, bottom side Danbury will be pleased with their efforts with Peter Hance in particular playing well as he beat both Pip French and Ivan Chaplin. Chelmsford C's 7-3 victory over Hatfield Peverel B came about via undefeated efforts from Adrian Pitt and Bradley Hudgell.      

ECC E, in second position in Division three were convincing 8-2 winners against Hatfield Peverel C as Colin Blore and Bryn Thomas both won their three singles. Lowly ECC C, did well to beat Bocking B 7-3 with Gus Heath and Andy Hanlon both taking their three singles whilst Hatfield Peverel C also beat Bocking B 8-2 after all three Hatfield Peverel players contributed to the victory. Lorrie Austin remained unbeaten whilst Clive Allenby and Jon Fieldsend both won twice.Bottom side Rawreth B did themselves no favours against ECC D as they could only field two players. Peter Layzell won twice to ensure that ECC were comfortable 8-2 winners.  

In Division four the League table was turned on it's head with leaders Hatfield Peverel D losing 6-4 against second to bottom side Chelmsford F. It was a great team effort with David Parsler, Bob Francis and Stuart Skippings all winning twice and taking all four games that went to a fifth end. Bob Francis's win over Chris Buer illustrated his side's determination as he fought back from 2-0 down to win 7-11, 8-11, 11-8, 16-14, 13-11. Second-placed Danbury C were held to a draw despite the efforts of an undefeated Glenn Laing. Chelmsford's Steve Back and Frank Neill both won twice to redress the balance and it was Laing who had to take the responsibility of ensuring that Danbury didn't miss out. Laing ran out a 11-5, 9-11, 14-16, 11-9, 11-3 winner over Steve Back in a widely fluctuating last game. OCs C's 7-3 victory over bottom side Writtle C was a result which went more in line with the form book with OCs running out 7-3 winners. David Porter and Tony Cohen were both undefeated. Writtle C's Andy Fox went home empty handed although it wasn't for lack of trying and he just missed out 11-4, 8-11, 11-6, 11-13, 15-17 against Micky Parkhurst. Third placed Elmtree Graphics B could only field two players - Phil Smith and Rod Maclennan against Danbury E but fortunately they were both on top form and Elmtree ran out 6-4 winners.

In Division five second-placed  Kings Road A showed how much they have improved over the course of the Season. In the first half none of their players were able to get the better of EPHQ's Ian Hockley but second time around all three Kings Road players - Martin Eyles, Rob Hayne and Alison Gurner beat Hockley as EPHQ ran out convincing 9-1 winners. Francis Whitbread beat Rob Hayne 11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 7-11, 11-7 to record EPHQ's sole win. Leaders Danbury G fared less well and they were held to a draw by third-placed ECC F. Richard Storey hit top form and he won his three singles, and he completed his hat-trick with a fine 12-14, 11-5, 12-10, 12-10 victory over Peter Sun. Elsewhere, ECC G did well to beat Chelmsford J 7-3 with Alistair Hill's three singles victories giving ECC the edge. 

Chelmsford P showed no mercy against their Club colleagues - Chelmsford Q in the CLICK (Introductory) League, and they ran out convincing 5-0 winners. Mitchell Carter, Ryan Carter and Jack Osbourne all contributed to the success. This result moves Chelmsford P into third place behind OCs E and OCs F.

Local players are reminded that next weekend (Saturday/Sunday 19/20 January 2008) 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. Play commences at 11.00 hours on the Saturday and at 10.00 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 successive time. Local side BATTS Team Peniel I are currently in second place, and they expect to field a squad of Wang Zheng, Craig Bryant, Shuying Xu, Ritchie Venner and Clive Carthy. BATTS have three games over the weekend and their top match takes place on Sunday afternoon against TTK Greenhouse I whose side may include the formidable Commonwealth medallists Andrew Rushton and Gareth Herbert.

 

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League