ITS LOOKING GOOD FOR WRITTLE A

Writtle A, the outstanding team in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League moved a step closer towards taking the title by beating third-placed Danbury A 7-3. They produced a strong all-round performance with newcomer Paul Cuming taking his three singles and old-hands Gary Ward and Kevin Worthington both winning twice. Six games went to a fifth end and these were shared 3-3. Tony Forster came out on top 11-6, 13-11, 5-11, 10-12, 14-12 after a real cliff-hanger against Kevin Worthington. With Danbury A losing, Hatfield Peverel A leap-frogged above them into second place by beating Danbury B 8-2. John Gagg took his three singles whilst Herbie Smith won twice for the Danbury side. This included a last gasp 11-6, 8-11, 12-14, 11-8, 12-10 victory over John Parodi. E2V Technologies are uncomfortably close to the relegation zone and their 7-3 defeat against Chelmsford C did not help their cause. Adrian Pitt won his three singles for the Chelmsford C team. Chelmsford D who are in second to bottom place did themselves a real favour in their attempt to avoid relegation when they beat Danbury B 9-1. Dean Andrews and Barry Pritchard were both undefeated whilst Robin Armstrong won twice.

In the first division 10-0 results have been very rare this season and on that basis Bocking A’s 10-0 win over Elmtree Graphics A really stands out. True, Elmtree Graphics were a player short but this was nevertheless another fine performance from the divisional leaders who were again represented by Rik James, Kevin Gowlett and Peter Hayden. Gowlett’s 11-3, 11-8, 11-9 win over John Holland really caught the eye. Maldon B look the team most likely to finish second and they added eight points to their total by beating Rawreth 8-2. New Mens Singles Champion Neil Charles was undefeated whilst Paul Davison had a mixed night. Paul scored a fine 3-1 win over Stuart Gibbs but was later the victim of an inspired performance by Charles Sweeney. Charles beat the twice Chelmsford Mens Doubles winner 6-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8. Chelmsford A are struggling and a 9-1 defeat against Maldon A leaves them in bottom place. Maldon’s Peter Ballard and Paul Sayer were both unbeaten and all Chelmsford had to show for their efforts was a 5-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9 win for Bradley Hudgell over Paul Stephens.

There was a shock in division three where a two-man Writtle B scored a fine 6-4 win over leaders Excalibur B. Writtle’s Matthew Brown took his three singles and he completed his hat-trick by beating Bill Smith after taking a heavy beating in the first end. Brown came through to win 3-11, 11-8, 4-11, 14-12, 11-9. ECC E are in second place, and they had Bryn Thomas to thank as they beat ECC E 7-3. Gary Copsey fared best of the ECC C players and he beat both Colin Blore and Jeff Lewington. ECC E added a further nine points to their total by beating Excalibur C 9-1. Thomas was again undefeated whilst Michael Rostoft was Excalibur’s sole winner as he beat Blore.

Elmtree Graphics B lead division four by two points but they have played two matches more than their nearest rivals and their 5-5 draw against Danbury C was not the result that they needed at this stage of the season. Glenn Laing led the way for Danbury by winning his three singles and Neil Want won twice. Nicola Pippen with two wins outscored her team-mates Rod Maclennan and Tony Vassallo on this occasion. She excelled by getting the better of Neil Want 10-12, 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8. Writtle C have produced some mixed results of late. They were outplayed 10-0 by Danbury D (Dave Hancox, Paul Durrands and Ken Sheard) but hit back by getting the better of Chelmsford E 7-3. Hector Rogers was their match-winner as he remained unbeaten. Danbury F did well to hold the higher-placed Hatfield Peverel D to a draw especially as it was Peverel’s Peter Mynard who won his three singles. Mynard completed his hat-trick with an impressive 11-7, 11-4, 11-7 victory against John Robinson.

Division five has developed into a real battle between Kings Road A and Danbury G and Danbury pulled back on their rivals by beating Chelmsford J 8-2. Gordon Gatherall and Peter Sun were both undefeated. Kings Road A found the going tougher and they could only draw with Danbury H. No player stayed undefeated and Norman Hayes and Rob Kneale both won twice for Danbury whilst Alison Gurner and Martin Eyles both picked up two wins for Kings Road. Hatfield Peverel E were decisive 9-1 winners against Chelmsford J with Mike Bard (three wins), Dave Fillery (three wins) and Geoff Ward (two wins) all making significant contributions. In another mid-table battle EPHQ did well to beat ECC G 7-3. Ian Hockley led the way by winning his three singles. ECC F remain in third place, although they probably have too much to do to catch the two leading teams. They did themselves no harm by beating Hatfield Peverel E 8-2. The undefeated Richard Storey and Colin Barham led the way. Peverel’s Andy Simmonds came out on top in a very competitive eighth game by getting the better of Mick Storey 8-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10.

Division six leaders Danbury J (John Knights, Trevor Palmer and Martin Knights) were comfortable 10-0 winners over Kings Road B and this gives them a 21 point lead over second placed Chelmsford K. Hylands A are currently in fourth place and they beat OCs D 6-4. Brandon Crouchman, the 6 Down Singles Champion met his match against Mike Hayes and in a game which would not have looked out of place in division three Hayes came through to win 11-3, 11-8, 9-11, 10-12, 11-5. Hayes was to the fore again when OCs D beat Excalibur C 6-4. He came through a close opening game examination against James Higgs 7-11, 10-12, 11-4, 11-3, 11-7 and he completed proceedings by getting the better of Hill Dowsett 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 11-2.

CLICK leaders OCs E took another step towards the title as they beat Chelmsford O 5-0. Danish Dewan and Matthew Newton were both undefeated although Newton had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Robert Shrimpton 11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9.

It is with great sadness that the Chlemsford League Committee have to report the death of the very respected Senior Veteran player John Mulley, aged 80 years, who passed away on Tuesday 12 February 2008 after a match in the Brentwood League. John had also played for the Chelmsford Table Tennis Club, St. John Payne Scholl Table Tennis Club and Danbury Table Tennis Club in the Chelmsford League at different times. His son Paul is also a very keen player whilst his grand-children Mark and Matthew have both represented Essex Junior teams this Season.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League