BILLERICAY LOOK TO BE RELEGATED 

Billericay's first division status in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League looks to have been terminated after they were well beaten 9-1 by a strong Maldon A side of Paul Stephens, Lee Prentice and Paul Sayer. Four games were decided in the fifth end but Billericay only won one of them, a last gasp 11-9 in the fifth set success for County first team Junior Mark Mulley against Lee Prentice, and this result almost certainly consigns Billericay to division two play next season. Elmtree Graphics A have had a disappointing season by their high standards and their latest defeat, a 2-8 setback against Rawreth A will certainly be a case where they will feel they could have done better. John Poysden, a name better known in Southend League circles excelled and he scored a fine hat-trick of wins against Ev Lucas, John Holland and Terry Timms. 

Danbury B, already relegated from division two, produced a fine performance to hold Hatfield Peverel B to a 5-5 draw. Peverel's Greg Green won his three singles, but Glen Laing and Norman Smith both won twice to ensure that Danbury shared the points. Glen Laing excelled against Neil Freeman by coming back from  2-0 down to win 6-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-2. Hatfield Peverel B were less successful against promoted Danbury A, and they crashed 9-1. Jon Hill and Eric Green were both undefeated for Danbury whilst Ian Whiteside won twice. Guy McKenzie came very close to pulling off a sensational victory against Jon Hill before succumbing 7-11, 10-12, 11-2, 11-9, 9-11. The Champions Writtle A retained their unbeaten record by beating Hatfield Peverel A 7-3. Trevor Carter stole the show this week, scoring three excellent wins against John Gagg, John Webber and John Parodi whilst Parodi made his mark for the losers by beating Kevin Worthington in five ends.

Bocking B, second to bottom in division three scored a timely victory by beating Hatfield Peverel C, their best performance of the season. Richard Jennings led the way with a hat-trick of wins and he received excellent support from David Edwards and Gordon Fairchild who both won twice. Fairchild came through a really hard five setter by getting the better of Keith Cullen 5-11, 12-10, 11-6, 6-11, 14-12. Elsewhere, Writtle B had their leading player Matthew Brown undefeated as they beat Excalibur C 7-3. Brown rounded off an excellent evening's work by getting the better of Michael Rostoft 2-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-8 in the last game of the night.

Danbury F were comfortable 9-1 winners against bottom side Writtle C in division four, after Richard Allen (three wins), Dave Marsh (three wins) and John Robinson (two wins) had dominated the action whilst Danbury D just came out on top 6-4 against Chelmsford F. Ken Sheard and Paul Durrands both won twice for Danbury whilst Bob Francis and Stuart Skippings picked up two victories each for Chelmsford. Elmtree Graphics B have fallen away in recent weeks and their 6-4 defeat against Hatfield Peverel D means they are unlikely to obtain promotion. Again, this was a match where no one player stayed undefeated and whilst Tony Vassallo and Melanie Bonnett both won twice for Elmtree, Peter Mynard and Keith Cullen both won two singles for Hatfield Peverel. Melanie Bonnett excelled by beating Peter Mynard 11-7, 11-4, 12-10. 

In division five, the match between Danbury H and Hatfield Peverel E went pretty much to form with Danbury winning 6-4. Rob Kneale with three straight sets singles victories ensured that the Danbury team came away with a victory.

Promotion chasing Hylands A had to make do with a 5-5 draw in division six, against Excalibur D. Brandon Crouchman, arguably the most improved player in the League this Season sailed through his three singles with wins against Craig Hiskey. Keith Pallett and Keith Fitzjohn and he looks capable of playing at a much higher level next year.

 

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League