FIRST MENS SINGLES TITLE FOR NEIL CHARLES

Middlesex County First team star Neil Charles - most people's favourite for the title,. was crowned M&G Investments Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Mens Singles Champion at the Chelmsford League's Finals Night on Monday 11 February 2008 played in front of a capacity crowd of over 120 people at the Old Chelmsfordians Club House in Lawford Lane, Chelmsford.

The evening opened with the closest match of the night as Rik James needed four games to get the better of Kevin Read in a Mens Singles Semi-final full of fast and furious rallies. Read started slowly and came into his own in the second and third games where he matched everything his opponent through at him only for his challenge to fizzle out in the fourth end. Rik dominated in the fourth end and there was no way back for Kevin as Rik went on to win 11-7, 15-13, 9-11, 11-5.

In the second Mens Singles Semi-Final, Peter Hayden tried everything in his powers to stifle Neil Charles' challenge. Peter's touch play is a match for anyone in the County but Neil is able to produce not only extremely powerful but also wrong-footing shots. Although Peter's subtle change of pace, clever placement and fine all court game caused Neil a lot of problems Neil was ahead in all but the third game and Neil eventually ran out a relieved 11-7, 16-14, 6-11, 11-9 winner.   

The favourites Nikki Kennard and Paul Davison became Mixed Doubles Champions for the first time beating Melanie Bonnett and Steve Kerns 11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 11-5.

However, the underdogs gave a good account of themselves and it was only in the fourth game that Paul and Nikki's greater weight of shot proved decisive.

There was further success for Rik James in the Veterans Singles Final and he reversed the result of twelve months ago when he beat Dave Cole 11-8, 11-8, 13-11. James held the advantage of having played and won a competitive earlier encounter and you could understand him being the sharper player earlier on. However, he retained that ascendancy throughout the second and third ends and although Dave fought back determinedly in the third game to level at deuce Rik secured victory 11-8, 11-8, 13-11.

The Mens Doubles Final was also a repeat of last year's clash but this time the result was almost identical as Neil Charles and Paul Davison retained their title by beating Rik James and Dave Cole 12-10, 11-9, 11-7. The first game seemed to give Paul added confidence and as he became more influential so Neil's powerful shots also hit new heights. Paul and Neil finished with a real flourish to clinch victory 3-0.

The Under 21 Single Final enabled Bradley Hudgell to display why he could well be challenging for the League's top honours in a couple of years time. He just sneaked the first game 11-9 against Greg Green but in the second game and with the score tied at 4-4 Bradley hit a purple patch to take that game 11-4. On this showing there was no surprise that his impressive form enabled him to win the third game 11-7 as well.

To many people the Ladies Singles Final between Nikki Kennard and Julie Vansertima was "too close to call", but on this occasion the hard-hitting Nikki dominated matters to run out a decisive 11-7, 11-5, 11-4 winner. Nikki dominated off her serve and her powerful flat backhand attacking shots made it very difficult for Julie to counter with any telling attacking shots of her own. Nikki hardly put a foot (or back hand drive !) wrong as she produced the best display of the night.

The last game of the evening, the Mens Singles Final was dominated by Neil Charles. He didn't run away with the game by any means but he was always ahead and his top-class serves and full range of attacking shots made it very difficult for Rik James to pressurise him fully. When Rik chopped Neil looked as if he could "blast his way" though whereas if Rik "opened up" Neil's range of blocking and counter-hitting shots were sufficient to hold his opponent at bay. Rik rallied very strongly in the third end and it looked as if he might take it to a fourth game but Neil was not to be denied. Neil won 11-8, 11-7, 12-10, his first Chelmsford Mens Singles title.

The trophies were presented by the Chelmsford Mayor - Councillor Nicolette Chambers whilst the Guests of Honour included Mrs. Anna Emtage, Charity and Community Relations Manager at M&G Investments.

 

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League