RICHARDSON HITS TOP FORM FOR E2V

E2V's Dave Richardson, the former first division player with the rocket-like forehand kill hit top form this week in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League and he became only the second player (after Hatfield Peverel's Greg Green) to take all three singles against runaway leaders Writtle A. Richardson's toughest test was against Paul Cuming and the game fluctuated one way and then the other before Richardson emerged as a 13-11, 7-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7 winner. Pip French also picked up a fine win for the Works side beating Chelmsford 2007 Two-Down Singles Champion Kevin Worthington 11-9 in the fifth end. Not one of Writtle's better displays but tellingly they still ran out as 6-4 winners. Danbury A look as if they will take second position after beating Chelmsford B 6-4 and Danbury B 9-1.With a display of strength in depth that the likes of Alex Ferguson might approve they turned out five different players in these two matches. Tony Forster (two wins), Eric Green (three wins) and Babul Mcleod (one win) were winners against Chelmsford B and Ian Whiteside (three wins), Dave Calleja (two wins) and Babul Mcleod were all successful against Danbury B. Hatfield Peverel A remain in third place, and they beat ECC B 6-4. John Gagg won his three singles with three good wins over Gary Brignall, 2008 Two-Down Singles Champion Keith Spicer and Trevor Collin.

In the first division, ECC A scored an important win in their bid to finish second, and by beating fourth-placed Rawreth A 9-1 they closed to within one point of second-placed Maldon B. Dave Cole and Steve Kerns were both undefeated. Maldon B did well to hold the leaders Bocking A to a draw. New Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion Neil Charles called all the shots and he remained undefeated, whilst Peter Hayden (two wins), Rik James (two wins) and Kevin Gowlett (one win) all scored for Bocking. Some very hard-fought games took place, including a win for newcomer Alex Facey against Gowlett (6-11, 10-12, 12-10, 11-7, 11-9) and a victory for Hayden versus Facey (8-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7). Neil Charles came under real pressure when he faced Hayden in a repeat of the Chelmsford Mens Singles Semi-Final and he dropped the first two games before coming through to win 10-12, 11-13, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6. At the other end of the table Chelmsford A were 6-4 winners against Billericay with team-work giving them the edge. Neil Gooday, Bradley Hudgell and Peter Barrett all won twice. Hudgell scored a fine win over fellow County Junior representative Mark Mulley by an unusual 11-9, 9-11, 0-11, 12-10, 12-10 scoreline. Excalibur A continue to struggle and they were well beaten 8-2 by OCs A. The OCs trio of Ryan Savill (three wins), Steve Northcott (two wins) and Nikki Kennard (two wins) were in control throughout this game. Northcott rounded off an excellent evening's work by the "not-so-old Boys" by beating Gary Baker 7-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-6. Fellow strugglers Chelmsford A will be pleased with their efforts against Rawreth and their 5-5 draw has seen them move above Billericay. Neil Gooday and Peter Barrett both excelled, and they both beat Charles Sweeney and Steve Maltby, although Kevin Read stayed undefeated.

Excalibur B, 9-1 winners against Bocking B lead division three by seven points. Richard Hiskey and Linda Murray were both undefeated for Excalibur with Garry Fryatt scoring an excellent five game win for the losers over Bill Smith. OCs B dropped back to third behind ECC E, after losing 6-4 to ECC C. Gary Copsey who stayed undefeated caused them the most problems.

In division four, second-placed Elmtree Graphics B beat Danbury D 8-2, after Phil Smith and an inform Melanie Bonnett had both won their three singles. Melanie's initial victory against Paul Durrands (10-12, 14-12, 11-3, 13-11) must have given her extra confidence and she also beat Dave Hancox and MIck Robinson in four games. Leaders Danbury C scored two very convincing victories, overpowering Danbury E (10-0) as well as Chelmsford F (9-1). Tim Pulham, Glen Laing and Gordon Gatherall were on target against Danbury E whilst Neil Want (three wins), Pulham (three wins) and Gatherall (two wins) were successful against Chelmsford F. Stuart Skippings made his mark and he did well to beat Gatherall after five very hard fought games. Skippings ran out a 19-17, 8-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9 winner.  

ECC G did very well to beat the higher-placed Hatfield Peverel E 6-4 in division five. Mohammed Mohseni led the way with three wins and Cecil Butcher won twice. EPHQ's 7-3 victory against Chelmsford G was more akin with current form, and it was their top player Ian Hockley who led the way by winning his three singles.

Elsewhere, Danbury H ran out convincing 9-1 winners against ECC Q. Norman Hayes and Rob Kneale were both undefeated.

Division six leaders Danbury J showed their superiority by beating third-placed Excalibur D 8-2, with Trevor Palmer (three wins), John Knights (two wins) and John Skuse (two wins) all contributing. Hill Dowsett fared best of the Excalibur players and was responsible for both of the games they picked up. There was further disappointment for Excalibur D when they were beaten 8-2 by second-placed Chelmsford K, a result that goes a long way to ensuring that Chelmsford finish second. Ian Austin scored three excellent wins, and daughter Claire and Matt Davis both won twice.

OCs E virtually ensured that they will finish the season as CLICK League Champions by beating OCs F 4-1. Danish Dewan won both of his singles, and he was supported by Matt Newton and Rich Newton. OCs F didn't go home empty handed and Tom Adam replied by beating Matt Newton in five games : 12-10, 11-5, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8. Chelmsford P also won 4-1, seeing off Chelmsford N, with Mitchell Carter winning both of his singles and receiving support from Ryan Carter and Jack Osbourne. 

Steve Kerns Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League