CHARLES IS THE MAN TO BEAT

This year's M&G Investments Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Closed Tournament takes place at Anglia Ruskin University, Bishops Hall Lane, Rivermead Campus, Chelmsford over the weekend of Friday 01 February to Sunday 03 February and in excess of 500 games are scheduled to take place involving over 100 competitors. Play commences at 19.00 hours on the Friday night and a separate Finals Night takes place on Monday 11 February 2008, starting at 19.30 hours at Old Chelmsfordians Association, Lawford Lane where Trophies will be presented.  

In the blue riband event - the Mens Singles, last year's Champion Arturas Rybakas will not be defending his title as he has returned to his native Lithuania and in his absence a strong field will assemble to try and capture what is one of the most prestigious Crowns in Essex Table Tennis. Players who will definitely be in the running for honours are Neil Charles (Maldon), the highest nationally ranked player in the field and Dave Cole (ECC's three times Champion), as well as Rik James (Bocking, another former Champion) and Ryan Savill (OCs, a former Junior International and the current Brentwood Champion). Other players to look out for are Braintree Champion Peter Hayden (Bocking), Paul Davison (Maldon), Kevin Read (Rawreth), Southend Champion George Reeves (Rawreth), Peter Ballard (Maldon), Gary Young (Excalibur)  and Hamish Innes (Maldon). If asked to pick a likely Winner most First Division players would plump for Neil Charles and if he hits top form he oozes power and has a truly dazzling range of shots. 

In the counterpart Womens event there are three outstanding players taking part - fifteen times Champion Julie Vansertima (Chelmsford), Nikki Kennard (OCs - a current Essex County Senior second team player) and Alison Gurner (Kings Road - a three times Champion in the early 1990s under her maiden name - Alison Gower). Julie Vansertima's group looks to be the most competitive, and she will have to fend off the efforts of Linda Murray (Excalibur), Nicola Pippen (Elmtree Graphics) and Stevie Pell (Chelmsford). 

The Mens Doubles has not produced a particularly large entry and therefore some of the the seeded pairs will face tough opposition earlier than they might have expected.

Last years Champions - Neil Charles/Paul Davison who were impressive 3-0 Winners in the Final over Rik James/Dave Cole last year start as favourites with Cole and James seeded second. Cole will be bidding for a magnificent eleventh title and his eighth victory with Rik James.

Cole will also be out to win the Mixed Doubles title for a sixth successive year and paired with Julie Vansertima they are seeded no. one. However, they will come under real threat from new pairing Nikki Kennard and Paul Davison in what promises to be a top class match.   

Julie Vansertima is paired with Alison Gurner in the Ladies Doubles and they are seeded no. one, and are expected to meet Nikki Kennard and Linda Murray in the Final. If Julie is succesful this will represent her fourteenth win in this event. 

The Veterans Singles sees three of the leading players in the Mens Singles taking the three leading seeded positions and you can expect to see the holder David Cole battling it out with Rik James and Peter Hayden. Group eight featuring Eric Green (Danbury), Robbie Butrton (OCs) and Paul Cuming (Writtle) looks like being the most  fiercely contested. Peter Ballard is the favourite in the Over 60s Singles where his Final opponent is expected to be Ian Whiteside whilst Dave Cole/Rik James are the top seeds in the Over 40s Doubles with Peter Hayden/Steve Kerns seeded second. 

Greg Green (Hatfield Peverel) will be bidding to create history in the Junior Doubles as he tries to win this title for a fifth time in a row, uniquley with five different partners. This time he will be paired with Sam Pitt (Chelmsford) and they face a tough challenge from second seeds, the Chelmsford Club pairing - Bradley Hudgell and William O'Donnell. Other pairings to watch out for are Scott Dowsett and Brandon Crouchman (Hylands School) and Hannah Pitt/Stevie Pell (Chelmsford). Bradley Hudgell will be favourite to retain his Under 21 Singles and Under 18 Singles titles and fellow County player Greg Green should be his Final opponent. Brandon Crouchman (Hylands) is favourite to retain his Under 14 Singles title where he is seeded to play Scott Dowsett in the Final whilst Crouchman is seeded no. two  in the Under 16 Singles in an event where Stevie Pell is the top seed. This event has replaced the Under 15 Singles and Stevie will be bidding to become the first female Champion. There should be a keen scrap for honours in the Junior Girls Singles with the Chelmsford trio of Stevie Pell, Sarah Austin and Hannah Pitt battling it out.

Sunday's play is dominated by the Divisional Singles and the 2-Down Event in particular looks very strong. Kevin Worthington (Writtle), the Holder is top seed whilst his team-mate Gary Ward is seeded second. However, a whole host of players are also in with a shout and Alastair Piper, Adrian Pitt, Trevor Collin, Julie Vansertima, Babul McLeod, Trevor Carter, Eric Green and Greg Green are all equally capable of making their mark. Phil Smith (Elmtree Graphics) starts as favourite in the 4-Down Singles with Alison Gurner seeded second whilst John Knights (Danbury) and Brandon Crouchman are the top seeds in the 6-Down Singles.If Crouchman can reproduce the superb form he was in at the Essex Closed Tournament when he won the Under 18 Boys Restricted title expect him to take the title. He may also be the dark horse in the Buys Under 18 Singles !.

 

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League