GOOD NIGHT FOR JOHN KNIGHTS

The Danbury J side of Trevor Palmer, John Knights and John Skuse completed the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Cup and League Double by beating OCs 5-2 in a hard-fought Division Six Knock-Out Cup Final. John Knights was the Danbury hero winning both of his singles in five gruelling games. Knights scored an important 11-5, 11-7, 5-11, 11-13, 11-8 victory against Tom Lee in his first singles to level the match at 1-1 and his vital 11-5, 9-11, 9-11, 13-11, 11-6 victory against Ian Austin gave Danbury a 4-2 lead. A determined John Skuse completed the Danbury victory by getting the better of Matthew Davis 11-3, 4-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5. Ian Austin had impressed for OCs and he did well to beat John Skuse 11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9 in the fourth game whilst Danbury's leading player Trevor Palmer was a reasonably comfortable 11-8, 11-2, 11-6 winner against Matthew Davis in the third game.  

The Chelmsford League have just held their AGM and Rod Maclennan, the League's Competitions Secretary for the last seven years is the latest recipient of the Rosebery/Pope and Smith Award, the League's Award for outstanding service to the Sport. During this time Rod has been responsible for setting the Handicaps for the League Competitions, running the Team KO Cup Competitions as well as running the Chelmsford Tournament (in conjunction with Arthur Clark). Rod takes sole responsibility for ensuring that the draws for all the Chelmsford League KO Cup Competitions are sent out in a timely fashion during the season and during the Tournament weekend Rod works as part of the Control Desk that ensure that the event is running on time. Modest Rod said "I am absolutely delighted to receive the Rosebery/ Pope & Smith Award, and it is an honour to join the hall of fame of some of the past winners". 

Brandon Crouchman (Hylands School), ranked number 23 nationally at Under 13 Boys level is this year's Winner of the Charlie Wheeler Memorial Award, the League's Award for the outstanding Junior performance at the Chelmsford Closed Tournament. Brandon was on top form all weekend and he won three Tournaments - the Under 14 Singles, Under 16 Singles and Six Down Singles and he was also a Runner-Up in the Handicap Singles. Coached by the League Coaching Officer Hill Dowsett, Brandon has made a massive improvement in the last twelve months and he looks capable of playing in Division three next Season.

The League's Committee has remained unchanged and the League's Officers will be as follows next Season - Chairman : Norman Smith, General Secretary - Dave Moles, Vice-Chairman - Hugh Piper, Treasurer - Brian Cook, Divisional Secretary - Richard Hiskey, Registrations Officer - Matthew Brown, Competitions Secretary - Rod Maclennan, Coaching Officer - Hill Dowsett, Press Officer - Steve Kerns, Junior Match Secretary - Arthur Clark, Veterans Match Secretary - Norman Smith, Other Committee Members - Trevor Palmer. Neil Freeman and Ryan Pitt.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League